Understanding What is Phishing?
Phishing is a cybercrime where criminals use deceptive emails, text messages, or phone calls to trick you into revealing sensitive information. The goal is often to steal your personal data, such as bank details, passwords, or to install malware on your device.
These scams often involve fake websites or communications that appear legitimate, designed to lure you into providing information or clicking on malicious links. Being aware of these tactics is the first step in protecting yourself.
Why Report Phishing Scams?
Reporting phishing scams is crucial for several reasons. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) investigates and takes down fraudulent websites and email addresses.
By reporting scams, you help reduce the number of scam communications you receive, make yourself a harder target, and protect others from cybercrime. As of August 2025, over 45 million scams have been reported, leading to the removal of over 230,000 scams across 412,000 URLs, highlighting the impact of reporting.
How to Report Phishing Attempts
Reporting a phishing attempt is quick and easy. Follow these steps to report different types of scams:
Report a scam email: Forward suspicious emails to the relevant authority and delete them. Be wary of any links or attachments.
Report a scam text message: Forward the suspicious text to the reporting number and block the sender.
Report a scam phone call: Note down the phone number and report it to the appropriate authorities. Never share personal information.
Report a scam website: Use the reporting tools on the website or contact your financial institution if you've shared sensitive data.
Report a scam advert: Report the ad to the platform it is hosted on and flag as suspicious.
“Reporting phishing scams is a simple action that can have a significant impact on protecting yourself and others from cybercrime.
National Cyber Security Centre
Take Action Now!
Interactive tools and resources to help you stay safe:
Phishing Quiz
Test your knowledge of phishing scams with this interactive quiz.
Report a Scam Tool
Quickly report any suspicious email, text or phone call.
Protect ing Yourself from Phishing
Criminals use publicly available information to make phishing messages more convincing. Review your social media privacy settings and be cautious about what information you share online.
Always verify the sender's identity before clicking on links or providing personal information. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
Stay informed about the latest phishing tactics to better protect yourself and your data online.