Action Fraud is now Report Fraud - What the Change Means for UK Scam Victims

If you've searched for "Action Fraud" recently and landed somewhere unfamiliar, you're not alone. The UK's national fraud reporting service has a new name, a new website, and a new approach and many victims are understandably confused about what's changed and what it means for them.

Here's everything you need to know.

What is Report Fraud?

Report Fraud is the new national service for reporting cybercrime and fraud in the UK, replacing Action Fraud from 4 December 2025. Run by the City of London Police, it covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland and serves as the single gateway for members of the public to report fraud either online at reportfraud.police.uk or by phone.

At Refundee, we work with scam victims every day and the picture is stark: fraud in the UK is growing more sophisticated and more damaging year on year. Yet many victims still don't know where to turn or what their rights are once they've been scammed. Report Fraud is intended to be the first step, but as we'll explain below, it is rarely the last.

Why was Action Fraud Replaced?

Action Fraud had long been criticised as unfit for purpose. A 2022 Justice Committee report described it as ineffective, and victims regularly reported slow response times, unhelpful staff, and reports disappearing into a void with no follow-up. It was so widely criticised that it earned the nickname "Inaction Fraud."

Fraud has changed beyond recognition since Action Fraud was introduced. The rise of APP fraud, AI-powered scams, and sophisticated online investment fraud means that victims were increasingly being asked questions that simply didn't reflect what had actually happened to them. A new approach was long overdue.

What's Actually Changed for Victims?

The most visible change is that Report Fraud is built around the victim rather than the report. The new website puts options like "Protect yourself" and "Get help and support" front and centre, rather than leading immediately with a reporting form.

Behind the scenes, the new system uses upgraded intelligence technology designed to build a more comprehensive picture of fraud across the UK and in theory enable a faster response from law enforcement. Whether that translates into better outcomes for individual victims remains to be seen, and we'd encourage scam victims not to wait for a police outcome before exploring their financial recovery options.

What's Stayed the Same?

Quite a lot. The phone number remains 0300 123 2040, available any time of day or night. The old actionfraud.police.uk website automatically redirects to the new one. Victims still receive a crime reference number and can get updates by email or post. You can also report on behalf of someone else, such as an elderly relative.

A Note for Victims in Scotland

Report Fraud currently covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland only. Scotland is expected to join the service later in 2026, but for now Scottish victims should report to Police Scotland by calling 101.

Is Report Fraud Enough to Get Your Money Back?

This is the most important question and the honest answer is: for most victims, no.

Reporting your scam to Report Fraud is the right thing to do and helps build the national intelligence picture. However, fraud investigations are complex, often involve overseas criminals, and can take years. In the vast majority of cases, a police report alone does not result in money being returned to victims.

What many UK scam victims don't realise is that they have a separate, and often far more effective, route to recovering their money through UK banking regulations.

Your Right to a Refund Under APP Fraud Rules:

If you were tricked into transferring money from a UK bank account, you may be entitled to reimbursement under Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud regulations. Since October 2024, UK banks have been required to assess reimbursement claims from APP fraud victims and this applies to a wide range of scam types including investment scams, romance fraud, impersonation scams, and purchase scams.

This is entirely separate from any police investigation and you don't need to wait for a Report Fraud outcome to pursue a claim.

At Refundee, we have recovered over £130 million for scam victims through UK banking regulations. Our team works with clients every day who had no idea they had the right to claim and many assumed that because they authorised the transfer themselves, they had no case.

If money left your UK bank account as a result of a scam, it's worth finding out whether you qualify.

We work on a no win, no fee basis so you only pay if we are successful. 

Complete our free eligibility assessment

More about Refundee

Here are the technical bits:

Refundee Ltd is a claims management company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management activity FRN: 937096.

Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office; registration number: A8986071.

Registered office address: Refundee, 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE.  

Registered as a company in England & Wales; number: 12855931.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Is Action Fraud still open?

  No, Action Fraud has been replaced by Report Fraud as of December 2025. The old website automatically redirects to reportfraud.police.uk.

• What is the Report Fraud phone number?

  You can contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040, available 24 hours a day. This is the same number previously used for Action Fraud.

• Will reporting to Report Fraud get my money back?

  Not directly. Report Fraud logs your case and passes it to police for potential investigation, but this process rarely results in money being returned to victims. If money left your UK bank account as a result of a scam, you may have a separate right to reimbursement through APP fraud regulations - which is often a faster and more effective route.

• Do I need a crime reference number to make an APP fraud claim?

  No, a crime reference number is not required to pursue a reimbursement claim through your bank or through Refundee. It can be helpful supporting evidence, but the absence of one won't prevent your claim.

• My bank has said that I need to wait for the police investigation, is this true?

  No. A police investigation is not needed to start a claim for APP fraud and you can escalate this to the Financial Ombudsman if the bank say this.

• Can I claim my money back if I authorised the transfer myself?

  Yes, in many cases. APP fraud specifically covers situations where victims were manipulated into authorising a payment. The fact that you pressed confirm does not automatically mean your bank can reject your claim.