Reporting Scams and Staying Safe

🛡️ Scruffy’s Digital Journy — Reporting Scams and Staying Safe

Hi, I’m Scruffy. Christopher explained that scams can sneak into your inbox, phone, or screen pretending to be helpful. At first, I thought you had to delete them quietly. But Christopher reminded me: reporting scams is a safety ritual — and you’re never alone.

📧 Suspicious Emails

• Forward to: report@phishing.gov.uk

• The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate and help protect others.

📱 Suspicious Texts (Smishing)

• Forward to: 7726 (free)

• This reports the message to your mobile provider.

  
  

📢 Scam Adverts

• Report to: Advertising Standards Authority

• You can report adverts found in search engines, websites, or social media.

• If you saw the advert in a search engine:

  • Google: Use their scam ad report tool.

  • Bing: Use Bing’s scam ad report page.

    
    

💰 If You’ve Been Scammed or Hacked

• England & Wales:

  • Contact Action Fraud

  • Call 0300 123 2040 or report online (as a guest or with an account).

• Scotland:

  • Contact Police Scotland by calling 101

    
    

🏛️ Avoid Fake Government Services

Some websites, emails, or phone numbers pretend to be official — but they’re not. They might charge you for things that are free or cheaper through GOV.UK.

• Always search directly on GOV.UK to find official services like applying for a driving licence.

  
  

🔐 Scruffy’s Safety Rituals

• Notebook & Pen: Record suspicious numbers, emails, and helpline contacts.

• Predictability: Always use official websites — type them in yourself.

• Boundaries: Never share PINs, passwords, or full details.

• Awareness: Report quickly — it protects you and others.

  
  

✨ Scruffy’s Reflection   At first, I thought scams were something you had to delete quietly. But Christopher reminded me: reporting them is a safety ritual. For learners, that means every scam becomes a moment of protection — with Scruffy guarding the vault beside you.

Official Links

Avoid and report internet scams and phishing: Report internet scams and phishing - GOV.UK

Report a scam to Action Fraud | Action Fraud

ScamSmart - Avoid investment and pension scams | FCA

Phishing: Spot and report scam emails, texts, websites and... - NCSC.GOV.UK

📞 Scruffy’s Banking Safety Reminder

• If you get a suspicious call, text, or email pretending to be from your bank:

  • Hang up immediately

  • Dial 159 — this connects you directly to your bank’s fraud team

  • Never call back on the number given in the suspicious message

Report, Protect, Safe

Report: Tell someone you trust. or report it online . You don’t have to handle it alone.

Protect: Block, delete, or step away. Your boundaries matter.

Safe: You’ve reported, protected yourself, and now Scruffy guards