Symptoms

• You think you might have clicked on a link in an email and gone to a fake website that looked like the real thing and disclosed personal information such as your user name and password.
• You get complaints about non-delivery or non-payment on goods you had nothing to do with.
• You see charges for goods you didn’t order on your credit card statement.
• You can’t log into a site using your normal password (because a criminal has logged in as you and changed it).

Protecting your account

• Contact any affected websites and advise them about the problem.
• Change your password on other websites in case they have been compromised too.
• Think carefully before sharing account information with friends, family or other people.
• If you can, log in and change your password immediately using a strong password (see Use strong passwords).
• If your website allows you, change your secret question as well so that the original thief isn’t able to use that to break back into your account. Check your other personal information, such as addresses, to make sure it is still correct.
• If you suspect that a criminal has had access to your credit card number or other personal information by accessing the website, take steps to protect your identity (see Undo identity theft).
• If you are unable to log in, contact the website’s technical support department immediately for further advice.
• Check for transactions, items for sale or items purchased in your name which you did not originate and cancel them.
• Install anti-virus software.
• Stop spyware.

Action Fraud is the new place to report fraud 

• Action Fraud is the UK’s national fraud reporting centre.
• If you’ve been scammed, ripped off or conned, there is something you can do about it. Speak to Action Fraud.
• If online shopping fraud has cost you money, call them now.
• If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, please get in touch.
• It is possible to beat fraud if we talk.
• Early recognition of fraud can be vital, so no matter whether you think you’ve been a victim of fraud or you just want to know how to protect yourself, this is the place to start.
• Action Fraud is a central point of contact to call and get help if you’ve been a victim of fraud.

To use the online reporting tool click     

To call and report a fraud Tel: 0300 123 20 40