How to report a crypto scam in the UK
Act immediately. If money has just left your account, call your bank — or dial 159 — to try to stop it. Then report to Action Fraud (or Police Scotland if you are in Scotland) and report the firm to the FCA.
Report online — the fastest step
Report to Action Fraud online — the national fraud and cybercrime centre for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you are in Scotland, Action Fraud does not operate there: call Police Scotland on 101 instead.
Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 (Mon–Fri; from abroad +44 300 123 2040). In Scotland: Police Scotland 101.
Who to report to in the UK
- •Action Fraud — national fraud & cybercrime reporting for England, Wales & NI; 0300 123 2040.
- •Police Scotland — 101 (Scotland is not covered by Action Fraud). Also Advice Direct Scotland 0808 164 6000.
- •FCA — report the firm or scam; consumer helpline 0800 111 6768.
- •Your bank — call at once, or dial 159 to reach them safely.
Check before you pay
Check the FCA Warning List of unauthorised firms before dealing with any investment platform — and watch for "clone firms" that copy a real, FCA-authorised company. If a firm isn't authorised, that's a serious red flag; verify positively on the FCA Register rather than assuming a name is safe just because it isn't on the list.
FCA — Warning List of unauthorised firms →Where to get help & support
- •FCA consumer helpline — 0800 111 6768; report a scam or check a firm.
- •Citizens Advice consumer service — 0808 223 1133; free scam advice.
- •Dial 159 — reach your bank's fraud team safely (Stop Scams UK).
Do this right now
- •Stop all contact and send no more money — including "fees" or "taxes" to withdraw.
- •Call your bank or dial 159 immediately to try to stop or recall the payment.
- •Preserve evidence: screenshots, wallet addresses, transaction hashes, the scam website or app.
- •Report the scam wallet address on Chainabuse.
UK-specific things to know
- •Scotland is different — don't use Action Fraud; call Police Scotland on 101 (999 if in progress) and Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.
- •Dial 159 to reach your bank safely and try to stop a payment — this is time-critical.
- •Under UK APP-fraud rules, banks must reimburse many authorised-push-payment victims. Report to your bank at once and get an Action Fraud crime reference number to support the claim.
- •Beware clone firms: scammers copy real FCA-authorised companies. Verify on the FCA Register — and remember that absence from the Warning List doesn't mean a firm is safe.
⚠️ Beware "recovery" services. Anyone who contacts you promising to get your money back for an upfront fee is almost always a second scam. See the red flags →
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