If you’ve been scammed or suspect that someone is attempting to scam you or someone you know, you should always report it. Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed.

How to report a scam

If you or someone else is in immediate danger or risk of harm, phone 999 immediately. You should report fraud, scams and related cybercrime directly to Action Fraud unless you are requesting a call for service from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

If you report a scam, it gives important information to the authorities that can be used to warn other people.

Request a call for service from the PSNI

You should ask for a call for service when any of these apply:

• a fraud is being committed or recently occurred (within 24 hours)
• you know the suspect and they live in Northern Ireland
• the victim is perceived to be vulnerable, through age, mental or physical impairment, or in need of care and support
• you believe it's important to report the incident to police so they can secure and preserve evidence or prevent loss  (such as CCTV  and recovering large amounts of money transferred from bank accounts before the criminal can remove it)

You can request a call for service report to the PSNI by phoning 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud and internet crime reporting unit. They offer a central point of contact for information about fraud and financially motivated internet crime.

If you've been scammed, ripped off or conned, there is something you can do about it. Report fraud to Action Fraud and receive a police crime reference number.

Action Fraud is not an emergency service - dial 999 if you are in immediate danger.

• report online at Action Fraud
• telephone – Action Fraud 0300 123 2040

If you receive a scam email message or a computer virus, but you haven't lost any money you can report it for information purposes, to Action Fraud.

Consumerline

After reporting the matter to the PSNI or Action Fraud, you can also report the scam to Consumerline. Scams which are reported to Consumerline may be passed on to the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service who will gather the details to send on to the National Scams Team.