Report Fraud vs Action Fraud: What Changed in 2025 (Explained)
If you have been a victim of fraud in the UK, you may have heard of Action Fraud. In 2025, it was replaced by Report Fraud — a completely new system. This guide explains what changed, how to use it, and how to make your report as effective as possible.
What Was Action Fraud?
Action Fraud was the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre, operated by the City of London Police since 2009. It served as the central point for victims to report fraud, which was then assessed and allocated to local police forces for investigation.
However, Action Fraud faced significant criticism:
- Only 2% of reported cases led to prosecution
- Victims received little or no updates on their cases
- The reporting system was outdated and confusing
- Many victims felt their reports went into a "black hole"
What Is Report Fraud?
Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk) launched in 2025 as the replacement for Action Fraud. Key improvements include:
- Better technology: Modern reporting platform with improved user experience
- Victim updates: Regular communication on case progress
- Faster allocation: Cases are triaged and sent to relevant forces more quickly
- Intelligence-led: Better pattern recognition to link related cases
- 24/7 online reporting: Report any time at reportfraud.police.uk
- Phone line: 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm)
What Has Not Changed
Despite the improvements, some fundamental challenges remain:
- Volume: UK fraud losses exceed £1.3 billion annually — police cannot investigate every case
- Prioritisation: Cases are still prioritised by severity, evidence quality, and links to organised crime
- Your report quality matters: A basic "I was scammed" report is far less likely to be actioned than a detailed forensic report with evidence
How to Make Your Report Stand Out
With thousands of reports submitted daily, the quality of your submission determines whether it gets investigated. Here is what makes a strong report:
| Weak Report | Strong Report |
|---|---|
| "I was scammed out of £5,000 on a trading platform" | Forensic report with timeline, evidence analysis, fund tracing, and legal classification |
| No supporting documents | Screenshots, bank statements, chat logs, and wallet addresses attached |
| Vague description of events | Chronological narrative with dates, amounts, and methods |
| No legal references | Classification under Fraud Act 2006 with specific sections cited |
| No perpetrator information | Platform details, phone numbers, wallet addresses, and company names identified |
The Report Fraud Process (Step by Step)
- Visit reportfraud.police.uk — Create an account or report as a guest
- Select fraud type — Choose the category that matches your case
- Provide details — Fill in the online form with your information
- Upload evidence — Attach documents, screenshots, and reports
- Receive reference number — Keep this for all future correspondence
- Wait for allocation — Your case is assessed and may be allocated to a local force
How TraceProof Strengthens Your Report
The Report Fraud online form asks basic questions. But the difference between a case that gets investigated and one that does not often comes down to the quality of supporting documentation.
TraceProof generates two professional documents to attach to your Report Fraud submission:
- Forensic Report: Complete case analysis with evidence review, fund tracing, counterparty identification, and operational recommendations
- Fraud Statement: Formal legal statement pursuant to the Fraud Act 2006, ready for police use
These documents transform a basic online form into a professional, actionable case file.
Strengthen your Report Fraud submission — Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
What happened to Action Fraud?
Action Fraud was replaced by Report Fraud in 2025. The new service offers improved reporting, better victim updates, and faster case allocation to police forces. The website is now reportfraud.police.uk.
Is Report Fraud better than Action Fraud?
Yes. Report Fraud offers a more streamlined reporting process, better communication with victims, and improved intelligence analysis. However, the quality of your report still determines whether your case gets investigated.
How do I report fraud in the UK in 2026?
Visit reportfraud.police.uk to report online, or call 0300 123 2040. You can report 24/7 online. For the strongest case, submit a forensic report with your evidence rather than just filling in the basic form.
Will the police actually investigate my fraud case?
Police investigate cases based on severity, evidence quality, and links to organised crime. A well-documented case with a forensic report, clear fund trail, and identified perpetrators is far more likely to be actioned than a basic online form submission.