If you've been scammed, report it!
Although it might seem natural to blame yourself, there's really no need to feel shame or embarrassment if you've been scammed. Anybody can fall victim to a scam, and your reporting of it could help to reduce the scam's effectiveness or even stop the scammer altogether, helping to prevent other people from becoming victims. In some cases, you might even be able to get your money back. Always take the time to report it if you've been scammed.
Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud reporting centre. It is run by the City of London Police, the national policing lead-force for fraud.
Click here to report a scam to the Action Fraud team via their website, or call 0300 123 2040. You will need to provide them with as much information you can; include any information you have about the scammer, details of how the money was lost and the date(s) when it happened.
Click here to forward scam or suspicious emails to the Action Fraud team. This intelligence is useful to them even if you haven't been scammed.
You should report any threats - or acts - of physical violence to your local policing team.
Trading Standards
You should report doorstep scams, rogue traders and other 'local' scam issues to your local Trading Standards team. Some scams are classed as criminal offences and your Trading Standards team could be able to pursue criminal action against the perpetrator(s).
You can find contact details for your local Trading Standards office by visiting this page on the Chartered Trading Standards Institute website (scroll to the bottom of the page where you can enter your postcode to search for the nearest office).
You can also report it via the Citizens Advice Bureau Consumer Advice line. Call 03454 04 05 06 or visit this page on the CAB website for more information.