🛡️ Scam Protection in London
Monday, 31 August 2026
Londoners lose more money to fraud than any other region of the UK — and the Met Police's North West and city-wide units deal with thousands of scam reports every month. This guide is your local route: who to call, where to report, and the scams hitting London right now.
Who to contact if you're scammed in London
| Situation | Who to call |
|---|---|
| Emergency / crime in progress | 999 |
| Non-emergency crime, including scams | 101 (Met Police) |
| Fraud or cybercrime | Action Fraud — 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk |
| Report anonymously | Crimestoppers — 0800 555 111 |
| Suspicious text message | Forward to 7726 (free) |
You can report most non-emergency crimes online at the Met Police website — you'll get a crime reference number on screen and by email, which you need for insurance and bank claims.
Scams targeting Londoners right now
- Rental scams — fake listings in Wembley, Harlesden, Hackney, Stratford and zone 2-3 hotspots. Never pay a deposit before viewing in person.
- Courier fraud — callers pretending to be police or bank staff sending a courier to collect your card and PIN. The Met has issued repeated warnings.
- Congestion Charge and ULEZ text scams — fake penalty texts with links that steal card details.
- WhatsApp "Hi Mum" scams — cloned numbers asking for money for a "new phone".
- Fake parking fines — texts and emails claiming unpaid PCNs with phishing links.
- Doorstep scams — fake tradespeople and roofing gangs operating borough by borough.
Local help and reporting routes
- Report online at met.police.uk — crime reference number issued immediately
- Call 101 for non-emergencies — or visit your local police station
- Action Fraud for fraud and cybercrime — they issue their own reference number
- Your bank first if you've shared card details or made a payment — they can block cards and recall transfers
- Your local council for housing, licensing or tenancy scams
What to do right now
- Paid a scammer? → How to get your money back after a scam
- Gave your bank details? → I gave my bank details to a scammer
- Got a suspicious text or email? → Smishing scams UK — forward texts to 7726
- Someone called pretending to be your bank? → Fake bank caller — what now
- Renting or house-hunting? → Rental scams UK
- In Wembley or Brent? → Scam protection in Wembley & Brent
Related guides
- Police 101 numbers by area — the non-emergency number for every UK force
- Crime reference number UK — what it is, how to get and check one
- Common UK scams — the full list
- What to do if you've been scammed
CyberAware UK — helping families in London and across the UK report crime, recover from scams, and stay safe online.