Being a victim of an online scam is stressful, but you are not alone and solutions exist. In France, over 280,000 people were assisted by Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr in 2024. In the UK, Action Fraud handles hundreds of thousands of reports annually. This guide gives you concrete steps to follow, in the right order, to limit damage and get help.
The first thing to know: there is no shame in being scammed. Online fraudsters are professionals who use sophisticated psychological manipulation. Doctors, lawyers, IT professionals get tricked. What matters now is acting quickly and methodically.
The first hours: emergencies
Step 1: Contact your bank immediately
This is the absolute priority if you shared bank details or made a payment.
What to tell your bank:
- Explain you have been a victim of an online scam
- Give the date and amount of fraudulent payments
- Request card cancellation if scammers have your card number
- Request a chargeback procedure for card payments
Important deadlines: In the UK, you have 120 days for a chargeback claim. In France, 13 months under monetary code article L133-24. But acting within 48 hours gives the highest success rate.
Step 2: Change your passwords
If you shared login credentials, change passwords immediately in this order:
- Email (the key to all other accounts)
- Online banking
- Health service accounts
- Social media
- All accounts using the same password
Change passwords from a different device than the compromised one.
Step 3: Preserve all evidence
Before deleting anything, keep records:
- Emails or texts received (take screenshots)
- The fraudulent website URL
- The scammer’s phone number
- Bank statements showing payments
- Message exchanges
- Any transaction references
The following days: reports and complaints
Step 4: File a police report
In the UK:
- Report to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
- Keep the crime reference number
In France:
- At the police station or gendarmerie with your evidence
- Or online at pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr
Step 5: Report on official platforms
UK: Action Fraud, your bank’s fraud department France: Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, Pharos (internet-signalement.gouv.fr), Signal-arnaques.com, 33700 for SMS scams
Step 6: Report to consumer protection if you bought a product
UK: Citizens Advice, Trading Standards France: DGCCRF via signal.conso.gouv.fr
Getting support: you are not alone
UK contacts
- Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040
- Victim Support: 0808 168 9111 (free, 24/7)
- Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk
France contacts
- Info Escroqueries: 0 805 805 817 (free)
- France Victimes: 116 006 (free, 7 days/week)
- Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr: online diagnosis and professional support
According to France Victimes, 42% of scam victims feel shame that prevents them seeking help. This shame is unjustified: scammers are professional manipulators.
Reimbursement: what are your chances?
Card payment
Chargeback is your best recourse. Your bank contacts the beneficiary’s bank.
Favourable conditions: quick reporting (within 48 hours), police report filed, traceable payment Unfavourable conditions: prepaid card payment (nearly untraceable), cryptocurrency (unrecoverable), transfer outside SEPA zone
According to the Bank of France, 62% of card fraud disputes result in full or partial reimbursement.
Bank transfer
Contact your bank immediately. If the transfer has not yet been executed, it may sometimes be cancelled.
Prepaid card or voucher payment
Very difficult to trace and recover. Still report and file a complaint.
After the scam: protect yourself for the future
Monitor your accounts for several months
Check bank statements weekly for at least 3 months. Monitor email for suspicious login attempts.
Beware of “recovery scams”
After a first scam, some fraudsters contact you pretending to be a recovery service that can get your money back for a fee. This is a second scam. No legitimate service charges fees to reimburse a scam. Public services are free.
Strengthen your digital security
- Change passwords, use different ones for each account
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Install an ad blocker (uBlock Origin)
- Keep devices updated
- Register with call-blocking services
Summary of useful contacts
| Organisation | Contact | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank | Number on card back | Card cancellation, chargeback |
| Action Fraud (UK) | 0300 123 2040 | Report fraud |
| Victim Support (UK) | 0808 168 9111 | Psychological and practical support |
| Info Escroqueries (FR) | 0 805 805 817 | Advice and guidance |
| France Victimes (FR) | 116 006 | Psychological and legal support |
| Cybermalveillance (FR) | cybermalveillance.gouv.fr | Online diagnosis |
A word for relatives
If a family member has been scammed:
- Do not blame them — scammers are professionals
- Help with the procedures — bank opposition, reports
- Listen to them — shame and betrayal can run deep
- Secure their accounts — change passwords, enable 2FA
- Stay vigilant in following weeks for recovery scam attempts
Editorial note
Sources consulted: Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr 2024, OCLCTIC 2024, Bank of France 2024, French Banking Federation 2024, France Victimes 2024, Action Fraud UK.
Limitations: Reimbursement procedures vary by bank and payment method. Statistics are averages. This guide does not replace legal advice for complex situations.
Verification date: 26 March 2026
Conflicts of interest: none
Questions fréquentes
-
Contact your bank immediately to report fraudulent payments and cancel your card if necessary. The number is on the back of your bank card. The faster you act, the better your chances of getting your money back.
-
Yes, in some cases. If you paid by bank card, your bank can initiate a chargeback. Claims made within 120 days (UK) or 13 months (France) of the payment have the best chances. Reimbursement is not guaranteed but chances are real.
-
Yes, strongly recommended. The report enables an investigation and can help with bank reimbursement. In the UK, report to Action Fraud. In France, file at the police station or online. Keep all evidence.
-
In the UK, Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) and Victim Support (0808 168 9111). In France, Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr and Info Escroqueries (0 805 805 817, free). These services are free.
-
Do not respond and do not pay anything more. Threats of legal action, data publication or fines are fake. Block the number or email. Report the threats to the police.