The City of London Police has launched a new nationwide service aimed at making it easier for the public and businesses to report fraud, as cases of financial crime reach record levels across the UK. Hosted on GOV.UK, the “Report Fraud” initiative is designed to streamline how victims and witnesses share data with law enforcement, replacing a patchwork of reporting routes with a single, accessible online gateway. The move reflects growing concern among policing, government and industry leaders that fraud-now the most commonly experienced crime in the country-requires faster, more coordinated responses. By simplifying the reporting process and improving the flow of intelligence, the service seeks to help authorities spot emerging threats more quickly, strengthen investigations and ultimately protect more people from refined scams.
Understanding the new City of London Police fraud reporting service
The national fraud and cyber crime reporting center has been rebuilt by the force responsible for policing the UK’s financial district, giving victims a clearer route to justice and faster access to support. The refreshed service brings together online and telephone reporting in one place, with a redesigned journey that asks fewer, smarter questions and uses plain English to capture key details. Behind the scenes, enhanced data-matching tools help investigators link seemingly isolated reports, allowing specialist officers and partner agencies to spot patterns, disrupt criminal networks and safeguard those most at risk.
For victims and witnesses, the emphasis is on accessibility and transparency. People can now track the progress of their report, receive tailored prevention advice and, where appropriate, be referred quickly to financial institutions or support organisations. The service is optimised for mobile, supports assistive technologies, and signposts users who prefer to speak to an advisor. Core benefits include:
- Streamlined reporting that can be paused and resumed
- Better protection through instant safety and recovery tips
- Smarter intelligence sharing with police forces and regulators
- Clearer updates on what may happen after a report is submitted
| What you can do | How the service helps |
|---|---|
| Report scams at any time | 24/7 online form and helpline hours published |
| Upload evidence | Securely add emails,screenshots and documents |
| Get tailored advice | Guidance based on scam type and personal risk |
| Support an examination | Details shared with relevant forces and agencies |
How the GOV.UK platform streamlines evidence collection and victim support
The new digital journey brings together what used to be scattered across phone lines, paper forms and separate agencies into a single, guided workflow. Victims and witnesses can upload screenshots, documents and message logs directly, with built‑in prompts that flag common fraud patterns and remind users of the details investigators rely on most. Behind the scenes, structured fields, automatic time‑stamping and secure file handling mean that evidence reaches City of London Police analysts in a format that is easier to search, compare and share with regional and national partners. This reduces duplication of effort, shortens the time between first report and initial assessment, and helps investigators spot linked cases that might or else remain hidden.
- Clear, step‑by‑step questions that adapt to the type of scam reported
- Secure uploads for bank statements, emails and transaction records
- Instant reference numbers for tracking and follow‑up
- Built‑in signposting to financial, legal and emotional support
| Stage | What users see | How it helps victims |
|---|---|---|
| Initial report | Plain‑English questions and examples | Reduces anxiety and confusion |
| Evidence upload | Drag‑and‑drop file area | Makes sharing proof fast and intuitive |
| Support options | Tailored advice and links | Connects people to help within minutes |
At the same time, the service is designed to recognise that reporting fraud is often stressful and emotional. Accessible layouts, clear language and optional guidance pop‑ups make it easier to move at a pleasant pace, on desktop or mobile, without having to repeat painful details to multiple organisations. For those who need extra help, the platform highlights specialist charities, counselling services and financial advice lines based on the nature of the report, while preserving privacy and control. By bringing evidence capture and aftercare together in one place, the system treats victims not just as sources of information, but as people who need reassurance, protection and a path towards recovery.
Key safeguards to protect your data when reporting fraud online
Before submitting any details,always check that you are on the official GOV.UK domain and that the browser shows a secure padlock icon. The new service uses encrypted connections to ensure your information cannot be read in transit,and only authorised investigators can access your case file. To minimise exposure,you’ll be asked to provide only what is strictly necessary to investigate the fraud. Avoid sending screenshots or documents that reveal unrelated personal information, such as children’s details or full medical records, unless specifically requested by police officers via secure channels.
There are straightforward steps you can take to keep control of your information while using the online service:
- Use a private device rather than shared computers in libraries or workplaces.
- Log out and close your browser once you’ve submitted a report.
- Do not reuse passwords linked to online banking or email accounts.
- Keep confirmation emails safe and avoid posting case references on social media.
| Data shared | How it’s protected |
|---|---|
| Contact details | Stored on secure, access-controlled servers |
| Bank information | Used only for verification and evidence, then tightly restricted |
| Device data | Logged to detect suspicious activity, not for marketing |
Practical steps the public and businesses should take before and after reporting fraud
Before raising the alarm, individuals and organisations should focus on protecting evidence and limiting further harm. Preserve all related emails, invoices, screenshots, chat logs and call recordings rather than deleting or editing them, as these are often crucial for investigators. Change passwords on affected accounts, notify your bank or payment provider immediately and ask for suspicious cards or online access to be frozen. Businesses should temporarily suspend compromised user accounts, alert their IT or security team and review internal access logs.At this stage, do not confront suspected fraudsters directly or share details of the investigation on social media, as this can tip off offenders and jeopardise enquiries.
Once a report has been submitted, cooperation and clear communication become key. Keep a simple record of dates,reference numbers and contacts in a central place,and update it whenever there is new information for police or your bank. Inform relevant colleagues or family members so they can spot follow‑up scams and avoid repeating mistakes. Organisations may also want to schedule a brief internal debrief to identify weak points and strengthen controls. The checklist below highlights practical actions that support a faster, more effective response:
- Secure finances: contact banks, credit card issuers and payment platforms without delay.
- Lock down access: reset passwords, enable multi‑factor authentication, review user permissions.
- Gather evidence: save documents, export transaction histories, back up devices if advised.
- Coordinate internally: nominate a single point of contact to liaise with investigators.
- Strengthen resilience: deliver short fraud-awareness briefings and update internal policies.
| Stage | Key Action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Before reporting | Stop payments | Limits financial loss |
| Before reporting | Preserve data | Protects vital evidence |
| After reporting | Track references | Speeds up updates |
| After reporting | Review controls | Reduces future risk |
in summary
As the volume and sophistication of fraud continues to rise,the City of London Police’s new reporting service represents a meaningful step in closing the gap between victims and investigators. By centralising intelligence, streamlining the reporting process and making it easier for individuals and businesses to come forward, the initiative aims not only to respond to fraud, but to anticipate and disrupt it.
Ultimately, its effectiveness will depend on public awareness and willingness to use it. For now, the message from law enforcement is clear: if you suspect fraud, do not ignore it. Report it. Each report adds a piece to a wider picture-one that could help protect thousands of others from becoming the next victims.
