Where to get help
Trusted, official and not-for-profit organisations, grouped by the problem you have. All are free to contact, except Cifas Protective Registration (£30 for two years). Pick the section that matches your situation.
Only use the contact details on this page or on the organisation's own website
Scammers set up fake "helplines" and "fraud recovery" services. None of the organisations below will ever call you first to ask for money, bank details or passwords.
Bank Safe Online is an information website. We can't take reports, investigate or act on your behalf, so please contact the organisation that handles your problem directly.
I've lost money or shared my bank details
| Who | How they help | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank, via 159 | Stops payments, freezes cards, starts a refund claim. Do this first. | 159 · which banks use 159 |
| Report Fraud (City of London Police) | Official fraud and cybercrime reporting for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Gives you a crime reference number. | reportfraud.police.uk · 0300 123 2040 |
| Police Scotland | Fraud reporting in Scotland. | 101 · scotland.police.uk |
| Financial Ombudsman Service | Free, independent decision if your bank refuses a refund or doesn't reply within 8 weeks. | financial-ombudsman.org.uk · 0800 023 4567 |
| Citizens Advice consumer helpline | Advice on refunds, chargebacks, Section 75 and problems with a seller. Passes cases to Trading Standards. | citizensadvice.org.uk · 0808 223 1133 |
| Advice Direct Scotland | Scotland's consumer advice service. | consumeradvice.scot · 0808 164 6000 |
| FSCS | Compensation if an authorised bank or financial firm goes bust (not for scams). | fscs.org.uk |
My identity or personal details have been stolen
| Who | How they help | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Cifas Protective Registration | Puts a warning on your name so lenders carry out extra checks before granting credit. Costs £30 for two years. | cifas.org.uk/pr |
| Credit reference agencies | Check your credit report for accounts you didn't open. Everyone is entitled to a free statutory report. | Experian · Equifax · TransUnion |
| HM Land Registry Property Alert | Free alerts if someone tries to change the ownership or mortgage on your home. | gov.uk/guidance/property-alert |
| Information Commissioner's Office | If a company lost or misused your data, or you want to know what data an organisation holds on you. | ico.org.uk · 0303 123 1113 |
| Royal Mail | Redirect your post when you move, and report post going missing. | royalmail.com |
I want to report a scam message, call, website or advert
- Scam text messageForward to 7726Free on all major UK networks
- Scam phone callText 7726Send the word "Call" then the number
- Scam emailreport@phishing.gov.ukNational Cyber Security Centre
- Scam websiteNCSC report formHelps get it taken down
- Scam advert onlineAdvertising Standards AuthorityShared with platforms within 24 hours
- Nuisance or silent callsICOAlso register with the TPS
- HMRC impersonationReport to HMRCFake tax refunds and arrest threats
- Fake investment or pension firmReport to the FCACheck firms on the FCA register
I want to check something before I pay
| What to check | Where |
|---|---|
| Is this investment, loan or pension firm authorised? | FCA Financial Services Register and the FCA ScamSmart warning list |
| Is this a real UK company? | Companies House: free search of every registered company and its directors |
| Is this website safe? | Get Safe Online: Check a website |
| Is this charity genuine? | Charity Commission register (England and Wales) · OSCR (Scotland) |
| Is this trader reputable? | Trading Standards approved trader schemes via Citizens Advice |
| Are the bank details on this invoice, or from my solicitor, genuine? | Phone the company on a number you already have and ask them to read the details back. Never trust a change of bank details by email. See paying an invoice safely and what the Confirmation of Payee check means |
| Does this sort code or IBAN exist? | Sort code checker and IBAN checker (our tools; a valid number doesn't prove the person is honest) |
| Is this message really from my bank? | Hang up and call 159 |
I'm struggling with money or debt because of a scam
| Who | How they help | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| MoneyHelper (government-backed) | Free, impartial money guidance, including after fraud and on pensions. | moneyhelper.org.uk · 0800 138 7777 |
| StepChange | Free debt advice and debt management plans. | stepchange.org · 0800 138 1111 |
| National Debtline | Free debt advice by phone and webchat. | nationaldebtline.org · 0808 808 4000 |
| Citizens Advice | Benefits, debt, housing and legal problems, in person or by phone. | citizensadvice.org.uk |
I need someone to talk to
| Who | How they help | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Victim Support | Free, confidential emotional and practical support after any crime, whether or not you reported it. | victimsupport.org.uk · 08 08 16 89 111 (24/7) |
| Victim Support Scotland | The same service for people in Scotland. | victimsupport.scot · 0800 160 1985 |
| Samaritans | Someone to listen, any time, about anything. | samaritans.org · 116 123 (24/7, free) |
| Mind | Mental health information and support. | mind.org.uk · 0300 123 3393 |
Someone close to me is controlling my money or monitoring me
| Who | How they help | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) | 24-hour confidential support in England. | nationaldahelpline.org.uk · 0808 2000 247 |
| Men's Advice Line | For men experiencing domestic abuse. | mensadviceline.org.uk · 0808 801 0327 |
| Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline | 24-hour support in Scotland. | sdafmh.org.uk · 0800 027 1234 |
| Surviving Economic Abuse | Specialist guidance on regaining control of your finances. | survivingeconomicabuse.org |
| Refuge Tech Safety | Step-by-step help securing your phone and accounts. | refugetechsafety.org |
| Hourglass | Support for older people experiencing abuse, including financial abuse. | wearehourglass.org · 0808 808 8141 |
In immediate danger, call 999. If you can't speak, press 55 when prompted. See our guide: Is someone watching your phone or your money?
Help for older people and their families
| Who | How they help | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Age UK | Scam advice, befriending and practical help. | ageuk.org.uk · 0800 169 6565 |
| Friends Against Scams | Free short online course to recognise and prevent scams. Good for carers and community groups. | friendsagainstscams.org.uk |
| Telephone Preference Service | Free register to reduce unwanted sales calls. | tpsonline.org.uk |
| Office of the Public Guardian | Lasting Power of Attorney, so a trusted person can legally help manage money. | gov.uk/power-of-attorney |
Learn more about staying safe
- Every type of scam, explained on one page: our own quick reference: what each scam looks like and what to do.
- Take Five to Stop Fraud: the UK banking industry's fraud awareness campaign.
- National Cyber Security Centre: official advice on passwords, updates and devices.
- Get Safe Online: plain-English online safety advice.
- Which? scam advice: free scam alerts and consumer rights guides.
- FCA ScamSmart: investment and pension scam warnings.
We're not connected to these organisations and they don't endorse this website. We list them because they can help. Tell us if a link stops working: contact@iban.com.
Last reviewed: October 2026