Digital fraud and scams

A woman with curly hair and red glasses looking at her phone while standing near a window.
A woman with curly hair and red glasses looking at her phone while standing near a window.
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Abstract digital art with gradients of blue and cream, featuring large circular shapes and horizontal bands.
Abstract digital art with gradients of blue and cream, featuring large circular shapes and horizontal bands.

What is fraud?

Fraud is wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain for the criminal. 

What is a scam?

A scam is a type of fraud where a criminal directly deceives, coerces, or manipulates you into making a payment, sharing information, or taking an action that benefits them — such as through a fake purchase, job offer, loan, investment, or cryptocurrency scheme.

Get help with digital fraud and scams now

Read our step-by-step guides to learn about, recover from, and contain fraud and scam-related attacks.

  • Icon of a hand holding a money bag with a British pound symbol on it, set against a yellow circular background.

    Recovering money from cyber scams

    You have lost money in an online scam or cybercrime.

    Read more
  • Icon of a fishing hook with a Bitcoin symbol, depicting crypto scams.

    Crypto scams

    You have been scammed through Cryptocurrency.

    Read more
  • Icon of a credit card hanging from a hook, in a yellow circular background, depicting card fraud.

    Card fraud

    Transactions have been made using your bank cards which you did not authorize.

    Read more
  • Icon of an ID with a fish hook depicting identity fraud.

    Identity theft

    You think someone has stolen your identity.

    Read more
  • Icon of a computer monitor displaying a warning triangle and gavel, symbolizing cybersecurity or legal issue.

    Online auction fraud

    Someone has tricked you when buying on an online auction site such as eBay or Amazon.

    Read more
  • Icon of a computer monitor with a purple heart on the screen, on a yellow circular background.

    Romance fraud (catfishing)

    You suspect that someone is pretending to be someone they are not to build a romantic relationship with you.

    Click Here
  • Icon of a document with a profile picture and text lines, accompanied by a yellow warning triangle with an exclamation mark.

    Recruitment scams (job fraud)

    You have been scammed while applying for a job home or abroad.

    Read more
  • Icon of a hand giving a money bag with a pound symbol to another hand.

    Loan scams

    You have been scammed taking out a loan.

    Read more
  • Icon of a hand holding a plant with a coin featuring a pound symbol as the flower, symbolizing financial growth or investment.

    Investment scams

    You have been scammed while making an investment.

    Read more
  • Icon of a hand holding a smartphone against a yellow circular background.

    I'm not sure what's happened, but something isn't right

    Our free helpline helps individuals and sole traders understand, contain, and recover from cyber attacks and incidents.

    Click Here
A young woman with dark hair wearing a yellow polka dot blouse and a headset working on a laptop in an office.
A young woman with dark hair wearing a yellow polka dot blouse and a headset working on a laptop in an office.

Speak to an expert

Some cybercrime cases require a helping hand or further investigation. If you have spoken to our chatbot, read our guides, and still need more help with your issue, our chatbot can connect you to a real cybersecurity expert.

Seek expert help
Seek expert help
Contact support organizations
Contact support organizations

*Please note our volunteer helpline service is currently only available if you live in the UK or USA. We aim to get back to your request within 3 days.

Live in the UK?

If you are located in the United Kingdom, we have specific guides tailored to your region.

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Read UK guides
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Talk to our chatbot

Our chatbot service and guides are completely free and can be accessed wherever you are in the world.

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Share your story

We want to understand the impact of you experiencing this issue, can you share your experience by filling in this online form? This will help us better protect future victims.

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