A new online tool aimed at tackling financial crime has been unveiled by the City of London Police. Branded “Report Fraud” and hosted on the force’s official website, cityoflondon.police.uk, the platform is designed to streamline how individuals and businesses report suspected fraud and cybercrime. Launched amid a sharp rise in scams ranging from online shopping cons to complex investment frauds, the service promises a clearer, faster route to law enforcement for victims and witnesses alike.
The initiative reflects mounting concern that conventional reporting channels have struggled to keep pace with the scale and complexity of modern fraud. By centralising details, standardising submissions, and guiding users through what can be an intimidating process, the City of London Police-home to the National Lead Force for fraud-is positioning the new tool as a crucial link between the public and investigators. As fraud continues to account for a ample share of all reported crime in the UK, the “Report Fraud” launch signals a renewed push to close the gap between offences committed and cases actually recorded.
Understanding the new Report Fraud service on the City of London Police website
The redesigned online gateway gives victims and witnesses of scams a clearer, faster route to share what has happened, while ensuring investigators receive richer, more usable intelligence. At its core, the service breaks a complex and often distressing experience into simple, guided stages: identifying the type of fraud, capturing key details such as dates, amounts and interaction channels, and securely attaching supporting evidence like screenshots or bank statements. A new status tracker lets users see what stage their report is at, reducing uncertainty and making it easier to reference their case if they need to speak to police or their bank.
Behind the interface, information submitted is automatically triaged so that the most urgent and harmful threats can be escalated quickly to specialist teams and partner agencies. The service highlights practical steps people can take promptly after reporting,signposting to help that reflects the nature of the scam and the level of risk involved:
- Immediate safety advice if there is a risk of ongoing financial loss or personal danger.
- Bank and card guidance to help users contact providers and freeze accounts.
- Digital security checklists for passwords, devices and social media.
- Wellbeing and victim support links for those experiencing stress or vulnerability.
| Report Type | Typical Time to Complete | Key Information Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Online shopping scam | 5-7 minutes | Seller details, payment method, item description |
| Investment fraud | 8-10 minutes | Firm name, promises made, documents or emails |
| Romance scam | 10-12 minutes | Platform used, timeline, money sent, aliases |
How the online reporting system streamlines fraud investigations and victim support
By replacing fragmented phone calls and paper-based forms with a secure digital journey, the new platform brings structure and speed to every stage of an allegation.Victims and witnesses can submit detailed accounts, upload supporting documents and screenshots, and log key dates in minutes, creating a consistent evidential record from the outset. Behind the scenes, built-in data validation, automated case-referencing and intelligent routing mean reports are passed swiftly to the right investigative teams, reducing delays that fraudsters have long relied on. Pattern-matching tools flag common identities, bank accounts and web domains, allowing officers to link seemingly isolated reports into coordinated case files that reflect the true scale of organised criminal activity.
At the same time, the system is designed around the needs of those affected, not just the demands of enforcement. A clear, guided interface walks people through what to submit, what to expect next and where to find additional help. Key benefits include:
- Real-time status visibility via secure online tracking pages
- Tailored victim support signposting based on fraud type and impact
- Faster referrals to banks, card providers and partner agencies
- Accessible design compatible with assistive technologies
| Feature | Inquiry Impact | Victim Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Smart triage | Prioritises high-risk cases | Quicker initial response |
| Data sharing gateways | Speeds up intelligence flow | Reduces repeated statements |
| Guided forms | Improves evidence quality | Makes reporting less stressful |
Key security features that protect personal data when reporting fraud online
Behind the new platform sits a security framework designed to safeguard every detail shared by victims and witnesses. Data entered into the online forms is protected by end‑to‑end encryption,meaning information is scrambled in transit and only readable by authorised systems within law enforcement. Strict identity and access controls ensure that only vetted investigators can view personal records, while time‑stamped audit trails log who accessed what and when.To reduce the risk of interception or tampering, sessions are protected by secure cookies and automatic time‑outs, and all data is stored on hardened servers configured to UK policing and government standards.
- Encrypted connections using modern TLS protocols
- Multi-layer authentication for internal users
- Data minimisation, collecting only what is essential to progress a case
- Pseudonymisation techniques to separate identity from case details
- Regular security audits and penetration testing
| Protection | What it Does |
|---|---|
| Secure Gateway | Shields the service from malicious traffic |
| Fraud-Aware Logging | Flags suspicious activity around reports |
| Retention Controls | Deletes data when no longer legally required |
Practical steps citizens and businesses should take before and after submitting a fraud report
Before filing a report, individuals and organisations should quietly secure evidence and limit further exposure. Capture screenshots of suspicious emails, text messages or online adverts, including visible URLs and timestamps. Download bank statements or transaction histories showing disputed payments and save any contracts or invoices linked to the incident. Businesses should instruct staff not to delete relevant emails and to log who discovered the issue, when and how. Avoid engaging further with suspected fraudsters, reset passwords on affected accounts, and, where payment details may be compromised, contact your bank or card provider immediately. For companies, isolating affected devices from the network and notifying internal IT or security teams will help contain potential damage.
- Gather digital and paper evidence in one secure folder
- Preserve emails, messages, call logs and invoices
- Protect accounts with new passwords and updated security settings
- Alert your bank and, for businesses, in-house security or IT teams
| Stage | Citizen Focus | Business Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Before reporting | Save messages, lock cards | Secure systems, preserve logs |
| Right after reporting | Monitor accounts, avoid new contact | Update staff, review controls |
Once a report has been submitted via the new service, vigilance and communication become priority. Citizens should monitor bank and credit accounts for unusual activity, keep a record of reference numbers and correspondence, and be wary of follow-up approaches from anyone claiming to be “investigating” the case outside official channels. Businesses should brief senior management and relevant teams, update internal incident logs, and consider temporary controls such as dual authorisation for payments or stricter access rights to financial systems. Both individuals and companies can use the experience to review training, policies and digital hygiene, ensuring that staff and family members understand the latest fraud tactics and know how to use cityoflondon.police.uk resources for prevention as well as reporting.
- Track your case using provided references
- Scrutinise financial activity and credit files
- Educate staff and family on emerging scams
- Strengthen internal controls and approval workflows
The Way Forward
In launching the “Report Fraud” service, City of London Police has taken a decisive step toward modernising how the UK confronts economic crime. By offering a streamlined, accessible route for victims and witnesses to come forward, the force aims to close critical gaps between incident and investigation, and to ensure that fewer offences slip through the net.As online scams and complex fraud networks continue to evolve, the success of this initiative will depend not only on law enforcement, but on public engagement. The message from cityoflondon.police.uk is clear: recognising fraud, reporting it promptly and providing detailed information are no longer optional extras in the fight against financial crime-they are central to it.If widely used and properly resourced, the new platform could mark a shift from reactive policing to a more proactive, intelligence‑led approach, giving investigators the data they need to connect patterns, disrupt offenders and, ultimately, better protect the public.
