In short
How do I report a scam text in the UK?
Forward it to 7726. It's free, and most phone providers are part of the scheme: your provider can investigate where the text came from and block or ban the sender if it's malicious. Note the sender's number first, don't click the link, and delete the text once it's forwarded. Suspicious emails go to report@phishing.gov.uk. If you lost money or were hacked, report it to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040) in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland on 101.
Forward it on an iPhone or iPad
- 1Note the number that sent you the message.
- 2Press and hold the message bubble, then tap More.
- 3Select the message or messages you want to forward.
- 4Tap the arrow at the bottom right, enter 7726 and send.
Forward it on Android
- 1Note the number that sent you the message.
- 2Open the conversation and press and hold the message bubble.
- 3Tap the three vertical dots at the top right, then Forward.
- 4Enter 7726 and send.
If 7726 doesn't work, the NCSC says to ask your phone provider how to report the text.
Fake “missed parcel” texts
A common version links to what looks like an official parcel-tracking app. According to the NCSC, the “app” is malware that can steal banking details and passwords, read your contacts and send the same scam text to them. To check a delivery, use the courier's own website, or its app from an official app store, never the link in the text.
If you installed an app from the text
- 1Don't log in to any accounts on the phone: the malware may capture the details.
- 2Factory reset the phone as soon as you can. Don't back it up first, because the backup would contain the malware too.
- 3Only restore a backup you are sure was made before you installed the app. If you're not sure, don't restore one.
- 4Change the password of every account you logged in to since installing it, and any account that uses the same password. Turn on two-step verification where you can.
If you replied, paid or were hacked
Call your bank on the number on the back of your card if you shared card or bank details. Then report it: in England, Wales or Northern Ireland to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040, and in Scotland to Police Scotland on 101. If someone took over an account, start the platform's own recovery with our hacked account checklist.
Where other scams go
- Suspicious emails: forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk, and the NCSC will look into them.
- Texts pretending to be from HMRC: HMRC has its own number, 60599. See fake HMRC messages.
- Scam or misleading adverts: report them to the Advertising Standards Authority, or to Google or Bing if you found them in search results.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to forward a text to 7726?
No. GOV.UK and the NCSC both say reporting a suspicious text to 7726 is free.
Will reporting stop the scam texts?
It helps: your provider can block or ban a sender it finds to be malicious, and the NCSC says reporting reduces the scam texts you get and protects others. It can't stop every new number a scammer uses.
Someone is using my hacked account to send scam messages. Can you help?
Yes. We help recover Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and other accounts through the platforms' official processes, and we never ask for passwords or codes. The first assessment is free: tell us what happened.
Official sources
The platforms' own help and policy pages. We are not affiliated with them.