Scams and Fraud news in 2025
14 stories, newest first.
- December 2025
FCA launches firm checker tool to help consumers avoid scams
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched a new firm checker tool so consumers can confirm whether a financial services firm is authorised and holds permission to sell products and services.
FCA launches Firm Checker tool
The Financial Conduct Authority has launched Firm Checker, a tool for consumers to confirm whether a financial services firm is authorised and holds the permissions it needs, aimed at helping people avoid scams.
- November 2025
DISP 2.7.7 guidance updated on APP fraud and pension beneficiary complaints
The Financial Conduct Authority has updated handbook guidance to confirm that Financial Ombudsman Service complaints can cover a firm's failure to prevent or respond to alleged authorised push payment fraud.
Which? warns recovery scammers target scam victims on Trustpilot
Which? has warned that recovery scammers are targeting scam victims on Trustpilot, after finding six unregistered reimbursement firms promoted through suspicious reviews.
- October 2025
Independent review of APP reimbursement policy to begin
An independent review of the mandatory reimbursement policy for authorised push payment fraud will begin in October 2025, after the first three months of the scheme saw 86% of losses refunded.
- September 2025
Which? warns four in 10 adults unaware caller IDs can be spoofed
Which? has warned that four in 10 adults do not know caller and sender IDs can be spoofed, as it set out how the practice works and what is being done to stop it.
- August 2025
Reports of fake HMCTS debt collection letters spike
Which? has reported a spike in fake debt collection letters claiming to come from HM Courts & Tribunals Service, alongside cold calls from fraudsters posing as debt advisers.
- July 2025
Which? highlights five phone scams currently circulating in the UK
Which? has set out five phone scams circulating in the UK, including calls impersonating a GP practice health adviser, WhatsApp job offers and bank fraud departments, alongside Ofcom survey data on suspicious calls.
Scammers impersonate DWP with fake energy support texts
Which? has reported scam text messages impersonating the Department for Work and Pensions that offer fake energy grants of £200 to £300 and link to websites designed to steal personal and financial information.
- April 2025
Deadline for PSPs to amend consumer terms and conditions to reflect reimbursement rights
The Payment Systems Regulator has confirmed that payment firms had until 9 April 2025 to update consumer contracts to reflect authorised push payment scam reimbursement rights introduced in October 2024.
- March 2025
CSEW computer misuse down 32% to around 692,000 incidents in YE March 2025
Computer misuse incidents in England and Wales fell 32% to around 692,000 in the year to March 2025, while survey-estimated fraud rose 31% to around 4.2 million incidents.
CSEW fraud up 31% to around 4.2 million incidents in YE March 2025
Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates show fraud rose 31% to around 4.2 million incidents in the year to March 2025, the highest since the survey began collecting fraud data.
- January 2025
Action Fraud replaced by Report Fraud
Government guidance now states that Action Fraud has been replaced by Report Fraud, with suspicious calls to be reported to the new service on 0300 123 2040 or through its online tool.
Which? publishes data showing Sim-swap scam reports to Action Fraud doubled year-on-year
Which? reported that Sim-swap scam reports to Action Fraud doubled year-on-year, and new Cifas figures show unauthorised Sim swaps rose 1,055% between 2023 and 2024.