Phishing scams: how to spot and report them
How to recognise and report emails, texts, websites, adverts or phone calls that you think are trying to scam you.
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Report a scam advert
How to report an online advert that you think is trying to scam you.
Many cyber criminals seek to trick their victims using scam adverts. You might see these adverts hosted on websites, or while using a search engine or social media.
These adverts will often look genuine. They might try to hook you in using false celebrity endorsements, or by offering goods at a discount. But the aim is often to steal money from you, or sell you goods that bear no resemblance to what was advertised.
Report an advert you think is a scam
If you see a suspicious ad in a paid-for space, you can report it to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) (external link)
This includes adverts you see on:
- newspaper websites
- search engines
- social media
By reporting suspicious adverts or websites, you:
- reduce the amount of scam emails you receive
- make yourself a harder target for scammers
- protect others from cyber crime online
If an advert has pointed you to a suspicious website you think is trying to scam you, you can report it to the NCSC.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has the power to investigate and remove scam websites. It's free to report a suspicious website to us and it only takes a minute.
If you’ve shared personal information through a suspicious advert
Learn how to protect yourself if you think you’ve shared personal information with a scammer.
If you have lost money or have been hacked as a result of responding to a phishing message or advert, you should report it:
- In England, Wales or Northern Ireland, visit https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/ or call 0300 123 2040.
- In Scotland, report to Police Scotland by calling 101
Make yourself a harder target
Criminals use information about you that’s available online (including on social media sites) to make their phishing messages more convincing.
You can reduce the likelihood of being phished by thinking about what personal information you (and others) post about you, and by reviewing your privacy settings within your social media accounts.
