What is fraud?
Fraud is when someone sets out to deceive you and make you part with your cash (or your data). There are many types of fraud, from phone calls to letters, emails and texts.
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Tackling fraud together
Report a fraud on your business account
On this page
Is it something I need to report?
It’s important that you contact us, so that we can investigate and help you as quickly as possible.
What if I haven’t lost any money?
Even if it’s just an attempt at fraud, we’d encourage you to report it, as we might be able to take steps to block any further activity.
What you’ll need to report a fraud
When you contact us, whichever type of fraud you’re reporting, you’ll need the following details to hand:
- Business account name, number and sort code (and Bankline ID if you’re a Bankline customer)
- Date and amount of any transactions you don’t recognise
- a brief overview and some background information – what’s happened
Remember, we’ll never ask for your full password online, ask you to make test payments or move funds to a ‘safe’ account.
We’re supporting the pilot launch of a new phone number 159, which is a new way to report fraud and scams. You should call 159:
- if you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details…
- …Stop, hang up and call 159 and you’ll be connected to a system that can redirect you to your bank.
- 159 works in the same way as 101 for the police or 111 for the NHS. It’s the number you can trust to get you through to your bank, every time.
159 will never call you. If you receive a call from 159 - do not answer. It’s a scam.
Stop, Hang up, Call 159
Don’t recognise a transaction?
Here’s what to do, find the number you need to get in touch.
The cost of your call will depend on what phone line you are using. See our call charge information page.
For Online Banking transactions, general payments, or scams
Call us anytime on 0345 711 4477 or +44 345 711 4477 from outside the UK.
If you use Relay UK, call us on 18001 0345 711 4477.
For card transactions, payments, or scams
Business Credit Cards 0800 161 5164 (+44 345 300 4351 from outside the UK)
Business Debit Cards 0345 711 4477 (+44 345 711 4477 from outside the UK)
If you use Relay UK, call us on 18001 0345 711 4477.
For Bankline transactions, commercial users can
Call us anytime on 0800 161 5157 or +44 0126 850 2401 from outside the UK.
If you use Relay UK, call us on 18001 0800 161 5157.
Personal bank account
If you’re a personal customer, visit the Personal security hub to learn about protecting your account, or report fraud on your personal bank account.
One of our experts will explain next steps and provide you a timeframe, sometimes it can take a few days to investigate.
We’ll investigate and contact you at pre-agreed intervals. We’ll always get in touch using the contact information you gave us, usually by phone or email.
Occasionally we might need some extra details from you, and we’ll always let you know why we need them.
What other steps can I take?
We’ll give you detailed advice on the phone, but you might want to consider:
- if you’re reporting fraud or cybercrime, you can also look at the Action Fraud website.
- take a look at your security software (such as antivirus alerts and server/audit logs) to see if you are able to identify the cause of the incident.
- if you’ve been the victim of a significant cyber-attack, we recommend reporting the incident to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
- download the Small Business Guide to Response and Recovery produced by the NCSC. It provides small- to medium-sized organisations with guidance about how to prepare their response, and plan their recovery to a cyber incident.
ActionFraud
Submit a report to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
Gov.uk
You can use the gov.website to complain about a company that is committing fraud or running scams. You’ll go through a series of questions to see what they can do.
10 steps to cyber security
This guidance will help you to protect your business in cyberspace, with tips for planning your response to cybercrime. This should help to prevent further damage, and reduce the potential financial and operational impacts.
Keep your passwords safe
It’s always wise to change your passwords regularly, and particularly if you suspect there’s been unauthorised access.