1 in 10 fraud victims reported scams to the website
Only 1 in 10 people who lost money to fraud reported it to the website or app where it happened, a Which? survey of 1,501 victims found.
Just 1 in 10 people who had money stolen through fraud reported the scam to the website or app where it took place, according to a survey published by Which? on 26 October 2026.
Which? surveyed 1,501 UK adults who had money stolen through fraud in the past 2 years. Deltapoll carried out the fieldwork online from 1 to 12 June 2026.
Of the victims surveyed, 3 in 4 reported the scam to their bank and 1 in 6 told the police. Which? found that 8% used Action Fraud and 5% used Report Fraud, which replaced Action Fraud at the start of 2026. Around half of victims found it difficult to report to apps and websites, while 1 in 5 struggled to tell their bank.
Around 3 in 5 of those who reported to any platform or authority had at least one problem. These included:
- feeling stressed by a lack of response or resolution (1 in 5)
- long phone queues (1 in 6)
- being passed between departments (1 in 8)
- dismissive or unhelpful advisers (1 in 10)
More victims said the fraud had a negative impact on their stress levels (63%) and mental health (54%) than on their finances (47%). A quarter said they had changed how they pay for goods online, and 1 in 5 had stopped buying goods on social media.
What it means for consumers
People tricked into sending money by UK bank transfer on or after 7 October 2024 can ask their bank or payment firm for a refund of up to £85,000, under rules set by the Payment Systems Regulator. They need to claim within 13 months of the payment, and if the firm says no or doesn't reply in time, they can complain free to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Our guide explains how to get a refund after a scam bank transfer.
People in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can report fraud to Report Fraud, and people in Scotland can report it to the police by calling 101. Scam ads can be reported to the social media site itself, as our guide to reporting content to a social media platform explains.
What happens next
The government has said its Fraud Victims Charter, due in 2027, will set minimum national standards of care for scam victims, Which? reports. These will include how quickly victims get a response and consistent advice on getting their money back. The government also plans to use reports made to Report Fraud to find where fraud is most common and help prevent it.