What is happening
Criminals get into a person's email, social media or other online account. They then pretend to be that person and message their friends and family, often asking for money or offering tickets that do not exist. Report Fraud says money stolen this way rose from £1.2 million in 2024/25 to £6.3 million in 2025/26, and that this is the most reported kind of cyber crime in the UK.
The warning signs
- A message from a friend or relative on social media or email asks for money
- Someone you know is suddenly selling tickets to a popular event
- The request is unusual for that person
What to do
- Check with the person another way, such as in person, by phone or by text, before sending anything
- Use passkeys on your accounts where you can
- Where passkeys are not offered, use strong passwords and turn on 2-step verification
- Set your posts so only people you choose can see them, and avoid sharing details like your birthday, address or pet names
- If you have been hacked, report it at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 (in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101)
Already paid or shared your details?
- Call your bank straight away, using the number on your card.
- Change any passwords you shared, starting with your email.
- Report it (see below).
- Tell someone you trust. Scams catch careful people too.
United Kingdom
Report fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Call 159 to reach most UK banks.
United States
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Canada
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Australia
Report it at scamwatch.gov.au. If you lost money, report it to the police at cyber.gov.au and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for free help.
Anywhere else
Report it to your local police or your national fraud reporting service.
Sources
- Social Media and Email Hacking campaign from Report Fraud
Police Service of Northern Ireland · 2026-10-05
- Report Fraud warning as sums stolen through email social media hacking surge
Neighbourhood Watch (reprinting Report Fraud's warning) · 2026-10-06
We summarise warnings published by the organisations above. If something here is wrong, tell us and we will correct it.