Police replace Action Fraud with a new service designed to simplify reporting of cybercrime
The UK has launched a new national system to report cybercrime and fraud, bringing a significant shift in the way victims across Wales, England and Northern Ireland notify the police about online and financial offences. The introduction of the service marks the end of the long-standing Action Fraud platform, which has been replaced by a new reporting portal known as Report Fraud.
The new service is now available at reportfraud.police.uk and through a dedicated telephone line. Officials say the change is designed to make reporting clearer for the public and to provide a more straightforward route to police support. The Home Office has described Report Fraud as simple to navigate. It offers guidance on what kind of incidents should be reported, how the information will be processed and where victims can obtain additional help through specialist support services.
The upgrade forms part of a wider overhaul of the UK’s national response to cybercrime. The government has acknowledged that fraud and online crime remain the most common offences committed in the country. The rise in digital attacks has placed significant pressure on police forces and has highlighted the need for more effective intelligence sharing. Ministers say that the new system will allow different agencies to build a more complete picture of fraudulent activity as it happens and will enable faster responses to emerging trends.
According to the Home Office, the new approach aims to improve both the speed and quality of investigations. Better information flows should allow officers to prioritise cases more efficiently and identify patterns that may link individual reports. The changes also seek to address long-standing criticism of Action Fraud, which had been accused of being difficult to use and slow to provide feedback.
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Report Fraud is currently in its first stage of rollout. A full national public launch is scheduled for January next year. During this initial period, users are being directed to the new service whenever they attempt to access the former Action Fraud site. Police forces across Wales, England and Northern Ireland have begun updating their guidance so that victims know where to submit reports.
The move is considered one of the biggest steps taken in recent years to modernise the policing of online crime. Fraudsters have continued to evolve their tactics, often exploiting people through social media, fake investment schemes, phishing emails and remote access scams. Officials say that a more focused and transparent reporting system is vital for helping the public feel confident about approaching the police when they suspect they have been targeted.
Residents in Deeside and across North Wales have been advised to use the new Report Fraud website or contact number if they believe they have been victims of cybercrime or financial scams. The guidance states that local police forces will receive the reports directly through the new national system and that the information will contribute to a more accurate understanding of criminal behaviour in the region.
The Home Office believes that the overhaul will support long-term efforts to reduce the scale of harm caused by fraud. It is expected that the improved reporting structure will give investigators a more coherent overview of threats as they develop. The government hopes that greater clarity for victims, combined with better intelligence and faster case allocation, will help disrupt criminals who target individuals and businesses through online deception.
As the public begins to transition to the Report Fraud portal, officials are urging people not to rely on the former Action Fraud service. All reports must now be made through the new system, which is intended to become the foundation of the UK’s strengthened response to cybercrime. The coming months are expected to shape how effectively the new platform can handle growing demand and how well it can support police efforts to identify offenders in an increasingly complex digital landscape.