Scam Text & Calls Reporting Gateway

Protect yourself from call, message, and email scams

In today’s digital age, scam calls, messages, and emails are increasingly sophisticated and pervasive. These fraudulent attempts can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and significant stress. Through the adoption of a few practical strategies, you can safeguard yourself against these scams. Here are some essential tips and advice on protecting yourself:

Recognise Red Flags

Scammers often use tactics that create a sense of urgency or fear. Be wary of:

  • Unknown Senders and Callers: If you donā€™t recognise the sender or caller, proceed with caution.
  • Too Good to Be True Offers: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Urgent or Threatening Language: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt quick action without due consideration.
  • Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate organizations typically do not ask for sensitive information like passwords or Social Security numbers via phone, text, or email.

Verify before you trust

Always verify the authenticity of the communication before taking any action:

  • Direct Contact: Contact the company directly using contact information from their official website, not the contact details provided in the suspicious message.
  • Check for Signs of Phishing: Look for spelling mistakes, generic greetings (like ā€œDear Customerā€), and suspicious URLs in emails.
  • Consult with Others: Discuss suspicious messages with friends, family, or colleagues before responding.

Use technology to your advantage to avoid scams

Utilise technological tools to filter and block potential scams:

  • Spam Filters: Ensure your email service’s spam filter is enabled and updated.
  • Caller ID and Blocking Apps: Use apps that provide caller identification and blocking services to screen out scam calls.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for your accounts to add an extra layer of security.

Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the UKā€™s national reporting center for fraud and cybercrime. You can report scam phone calls to them using the link below.

Online:

  • Visit the Action Fraud website
  • Click on “Report a Fraud” and follow the instructions to complete the online form.

By Phone:

  • Call Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040
  • Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
Report to Action Fraud UK

Commissioners Office

Information Commissioners Office. If the scam involves nuisance calls or violates data protection laws, you can report it to the ICO.

Online:

By Phone:

  • Call ICO at 0303 123 1113
Report to ICO

Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services. They do not investigate individual complaints but collect information to identify patterns and take action against the offenders.

Online:

  • Visit the Ofcom website:
  • Search ‘Unwanted Calls’ and follow the signposting to make your report.
Report to Ofcom

Educate yourself and stay updated

Stay informed about the latest scams and how they operate:

  • Follow Trusted Sources: Subscribe to updates from cybersecurity firms or official government resources like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  • Learn Common Tactics: Familiarize yourself with common scam techniques such as phishing, smishing (SMS phishing), and vishing (voice phishing).

Protect your personal information from scams

Be cautious about where and how you share your personal information:

  • Social Media Privacy: Adjust your social media privacy settings to limit who can see your information. For more advice on how to do so refer to social media’s FAQ page.
  • Secure Websites: Only enter personal information on secure websites (look for ā€œhttpsā€ in the URL).
  • Shred Documents: Shred documents containing personal information before discarding them.

Report suspicious activities

Reporting scams helps authorities track and combat fraud:

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report scams to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
  • Local Authorities: Inform your local consumer protection agency or law enforcement.
  • Company Reports: Notify the company that is being impersonated by the scammer.

Be cautious with attachments and links

Attachments and links are common tools used in scam emails and messages:

  • Donā€™t Click Unverified Links: Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking. If it looks suspicious, donā€™t click it.
  • Avoid Opening Unfamiliar Attachments: Attachments can contain malware. Only open attachments from trusted sources.

Monitor your accounts

Regularly check your financial and online accounts for any unauthorized activity:

  • Bank Statements: Review your bank statements and credit reports regularly.
  • Credit Monitoring Services: Consider using a credit monitoring service to alert you of unusual activity.

Use strong passwords

Strong, unique passwords for your online accounts can prevent unauthorized access:

  • Password Managers: Use a password manager to create and store complex passwords.
  • Regular Updates: Change your passwords regularly and avoid reusing them across multiple sites.

If you received the scam as a text message or it involved any form of SMS phishing (smishing), you can forward the message to 7726

(which spells “SPAM” on a phone keypad).

This is a free service provided by most mobile operators to report spam texts