First, call your bank on the number printed on your card or on its official website, and tell them what happened. Speed matters most when money has just moved.
Then report it to the official body in your country. Every link below goes to a government, police or national agency, except where the note says otherwise. UtilForge does not take reports itself.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
UtilForge is a registered 2026 Champion of the campaign.
The campaign is led by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), America’s cyber defence agency, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, a non-profit. In Europe, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity runs European Cybersecurity Month. CISA asks everyone to take four core steps, and each one below links to CISA’s own guidance.
- Avoid and report phishing scams. How to spot a message that is trying to trick you, and what to do with it. UtilForge’s free Before You Pay goes through a payment request with you before money moves.
- Use strong passwords. CISA’s Secure Our World guide for individuals and families.
- Use multifactor authentication and a password manager. A second check, such as a code on your phone, on top of your password, for your bank, email and social media.
- Update software. Updates fix security holes, so turn on automatic updates.
North America
- United StatesFBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Online fraud, scams and cybercrime. IC3 never contacts people to ask for money.
- United States · organisationsReport to CISACyber incidents, malware and vulnerabilities. (888) 282-0870, any time.
- CanadaCanadian Anti-Fraud CentreFraud and cybercrime, as a victim or a witness, with the RCMP. 1-888-495-8501, weekdays 10:00–16:45 Eastern.
South and Central America
- BrazilPolícia Federal: Comunicação de CrimesFederal crimes. For most fraud, the page directs you to your state’s Polícia Civil and its online police station, the Delegacia Eletrônica.
- Mexico · Mexico CityPolicía Cibernética, SSC CDMXOnline fraud and internet crime. 55 5242 5100 ext. 5086, 24 hours.
United Kingdom and Ireland
- England, Wales and Northern IrelandReport FraudFraud, cybercrime, and suspicious messages, calls and websites. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. 0300 123 2040.
- ScotlandPolice ScotlandReport fraud on 101 without delay.
- IrelandAn Garda SíochánaReport to your local Garda station, and to the platform where the scam happened.
Europe
- France17CyberHelp with any cyber attack or online fraud, from the police, the gendarmerie and Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr. Call 17 or 112. Formal online complaints go through THÉSÉE.
- GermanyOnlinewache list (Federal Ministry of Justice)Links to the online police station of each of the 16 states, where you can file a complaint.
- NetherlandsPolitieOnline report of internet fraud. 0900-8844.
- SpainINCIBE 017Free, confidential help with fraud, phishing and identity theft. Call 017, daily 08:00–23:00. For a formal complaint, contact the Policía Nacional on 091.
- Other EU countriesEuropol: report cybercrime onlineA list of each EU country’s national reporting portal.
Africa
- South AfricaSouth African Police ServiceOpen a fraud case at a police station. Crime Stop tip-offs: 08600 10111.
- South Africa · alsoYima, by the Southern African Fraud Prevention ServiceA not-for-profit that records scams to warn others. It asks you to report to the police as well.
- KenyaNational Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4)Cyber incidents, including anonymously. +254 716 148 341.
- GhanaCyber Security AuthorityFraud, phishing, impersonation and online blackmail. Call or text 292.
- NigeriaNigeria Police Force National Cybercrime CenterCybercrime and online fraud.
Asia
- IndiaNational Cyber Crime Reporting PortalFinancial fraud and other cybercrime. Helpline 1930.
- SingaporeScamShieldReport a scam and get help. Helpline 1799, any time. Formal reports go to the Singapore Police Force.
- Hong KongAnti-Deception Coordination CentreScam alerts and enquiries. Anti-Scam Helpline 18222. Online reports go through the Police e-Report Centre.
- PhilippinesCybercrime Investigation and Coordinating CenterOnline, text, investment and romance scams. Hotline 1326, any time.
Australia and New Zealand
- AustraliaScamwatchScam contacts, scam websites and lost money, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre.
- Australia · police reportReportCyberCybercrime, including identity theft and fraud. 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).
- New ZealandNational Cyber Security CentreOnline issues for individuals and small businesses. 0800 114 115, weekdays 07:00–19:00.
For organisations
- CISA · organisations of all sizesAdditional steps for organisationsUse logging on your systems, back up data, encrypt data, have an incident response plan and use it, and be prepared for system disruptions.
- CISA · for IT teamsKnown Exploited Vulnerabilities CatalogCISA’s list of software flaws that attackers are already using, so your team can fix those first.
- CISA · no-cost servicesCyber Hygiene ServicesFree scanning of internet-facing systems and web applications, aimed at critical infrastructure and other organisations. CISA’s page explains who can receive them.
Your country is not listed?
Call your bank, then your local police. Keep the messages, numbers, links and payment details, because they are your evidence. Cancel and Keep Proof writes the message to your card provider and keeps a dated record.
Every link was checked on 1 October 2026. Government services change, so if a link is wrong or your country is missing, write to support@utilforge.org.
UtilForge is an official 2026 Champion of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a programme of the National Cybersecurity Alliance, and takes part in European Cybersecurity Month independently. It is not affiliated with CISA, ENISA or any government agency.