Collective data on reported pensions fraud is held by Report Fraud (previously Action Fraud), rather than regulators, and these figures show that reported levels of pensions fraud have increased since 2021. However, this should not be taken as evidence of a corresponding rise in underlying criminal activity. Pensions fraud is difficult to quantify, with a significant time lag between activity and detection, normally because the fraud occurs well before individuals access their pension savings. As a result, reported figures may include historic cases and may not reflect current risk.

Enhanced due diligence under the Conditions for Pension Transfer Regulations, together with clearer escalation pathways, has strengthened the identification and recording of suspected fraud, which may also, in part, account for the increase in reported cases.

The Home Office engages regularly with Report Fraud (the replacement service for Action Fraud) on trends in fraud and scam activity. Report Fraud does not currently publish data disaggregated specifically by scam calls as a distinct fraud type targeting elderly or vulnerable individuals.

For all fraud reports recorded in the Report Fraud system in the year ending May 2026, approximately 30% of individuals were aged 60 and over, where the victim’s age is known.

Evidence from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), which captures both reported and unreported fraud, indicates that in the year ending March 2025 people aged over 60 were not statistically more likely to be victims of fraud.

The Home Office funds the Report Fraud Victim Service, which provides tailored support to victims of fraud and cybercrime, including older and vulnerable individuals. The service triages victims based on vulnerability and offers targeted support to help them cope with the impact of fraud and reduce the risk of repeat victimisation.

Beyond Report Fraud, the Government launched its new Fraud Strategy in March 2026. The commitments made in the Strategy are broadly aimed at reducing vulnerability within the whole of society. However, the Government and law enforcement routinely assess particular areas of vulnerability to provide more targeted support and advice.

The Government has recognised the challenges facing the Action Fraud service, and, working with City of London Police, are pleased that the new Report Fraud service launched on 4 December.

This new service replaces Action Fraud and includes the provision of improved reporting tools, victim services, and analysis and dissemination of viable investigative cases to police forces. Report Fraud’s new National Crime Analysis Service (N-CAS) will replace the backend system used previously by Action Fraud to analyse reports. This will significantly improve the speed and quality of information provided to law enforcement and other operational partners, boosting their chances of successful prosecution. It will also block and disrupt crime through providing real time information to those institutions and organisations who can deter and disrupt fraudulent websites, bank accounts, and other activities which are enabling criminality

The capturing of fraud reports is recorded in line with the Home Office Crime Counting Rules for fraud, which breaks fraud down into a range of codes. The information requested does not currently align to the crimes recorded in the Action Fraud data set.

The Home Office is working with City of London Police to replace Action Fraud with a new and improved national police reporting service for fraud and cybercrime. The new service will include capabilities to better track threat trends and enhanced search features for the report database.

The Government is working with City of London Police to replace Action Fraud with a new and improved national police reporting service for fraud and cyber crime. The new service (called Report Fraud) is nearing completion with full transition expected in early December 2025. The new service will support tackling fraudulent company registrations by providing law enforcement with better intelligence for investigations and other disruption activity.

The new service will also improve the support services and reporting tools for victims. In addition, the Government has launched a National Fraud Squad (NFS) of specialist posts, led by the NCA and City of London Police. The NFS will help to combat fraudulent company registrations by taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach to identifying and disrupting the most serious fraudsters.

We are committed to tackling all types of fraud, including online ticket fraud, and holding those who profit from it to account.

As of 17 March 2025, as part of its enforcement of the Online Safety Act, Ofcom’s illegal harm duties are now in force. Ofcom will now start assessing platforms’ compliance with their new obligations under the Act and will launch enforcement action where they uncover concerns. This includes making sure that in-scope companies take proactive measures to stop fraudulent content appearing on their platforms, and remove fraudulent material quickly when they become aware of it. This includes criminals offering fake or fraudulent tickets via these platforms and services.

Furthermore, the Government’s Stop! Think Fraud campaign is improving public messaging and making it easier for the public to recognise fraud and take steps to protect themselves, their family and friends.

We are replacing the current Action Fraud service with a new, improved service. The new service will provide better support services and reporting tools for victims, provide greater intelligence to law enforcement to support investigations, and allow for greater prevention and disruption at scale.

A phased introduction of the new service is now underway and will continue throughout 2025. Changes have already been made to improve the analysis of reports, the quality of intelligence drawn from them, and how quickly this is sent to police forces for investigation.

The new service has been designed to recognise crypto currency as both an enabler of frauds, such as investment fraud, and an enabler to the cashing out mechanism to realise the benefits of the criminal activity. This will ensure accurate reporting and deliver a greater understanding of the threat posed by crypto currency and how to tackle it more effectively.

The Home Office are working with the City of London Police to replace Action Fraud with a new and improved national police reporting service for fraud and cyber crime.

The new service will provide better support services and reporting tools for victims, provide greater intelligence to law enforcement, and allow for greater prevention and disruption at scale.  This will include an upgraded call centre and a new user-friendly, accessible website for reporting fraud, offering simpler pathways to support and guidance.

A phased introduction of the new service is underway and will continue throughout 2025.

The first phase, completed in November 2024, saw the introduction of the new crime and intelligence management system. This will improve the analysis of reports, the quality of intelligence drawn from them, and how quickly this is sent to police forces for investigation.

This Government is committed to working with law enforcement, civil society and industry to better protect the public and businesses from fraud.

The current technology used by the Action Fraud service is outdated and cannot cope with demand, with fraud and cyber crime now accounting for an estimated 49% of all crime recorded in the Crime Survey for England and Wales.

We are replacing the current Action Fraud service with a new, improved service. The to provide better support services and reporting tools for victims, provide greater intelligence to law enforcement, and allow for greater prevention and disruption at scale.

Action Fraud is the national reporting point for fraud and cyber crime, operated by City of London Police who are the national policing lead for fraud. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) analyses reports from Action Fraud for key information and considers this together with data received from industry and other agencies.

Where there are viable lines of enquiry, the NFIB bundles up linked reports into investigative packages which are then disseminated to law enforcement agencies for potential investigation. The Home Office publishes data on the total number of fraud and computer misuse offences recorded by the NFIB and the number then referred to forces for investigation annually.

The most recent publication, covering the year ending March 2024, can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/crime-outcomes-in-england-and-wales-2023-to-2024.

We are working with City of London Police to replace Action Fraud with a new and improved national police reporting service for fraud and cyber crime. The new service will use the latest technology to improve reporting tools and support services for victims, providing far greater intelligence to policing for investigations, and allowing for greater prevention and disruption at scale.

In the meantime, Action Fraud have developed a calendar of campaign activity underpinned by data and insight, to encourage reporting to the service, increase public confidence and impact behaviour.

Action Fraud and Cyber Protect also deliver national campaigns and helped to amplify national campaign activity from a host of partners, including the National Crime Agency (NCA), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the NCA’s National Economic Crime Centre, and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Due to the operational independence of law enforcement partners, the government is not able to comment on any specific case that is currently under review.

Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau will ensure that any case is dealt with appropriately with the necessary action taken.

The Home Office is working closely with City of London Police to replace Action Fraud with a more efficient new system that will improve the support services and reporting tools for victims and intelligence provided to forces.

The Home Office and key stakeholders across the victim support landscape, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant bodies are consulted regularly on the development of the service by CoLP. This includes regular official as well as Ministerial level engagements from the Home Office.

Oversight of Action Fraud falls within the remit of the Security Minister, who recently visited City of London Police to learn more about the replacement service.

In 2023 the Government published a Fraud Strategy, setting out plans to reduce fraud by 10% by December 2024.

Action Fraud is the UK’s national information and reporting centre for fraud and financially motivated internet crime, including intellectual property theft. As part of the national fraud strategy, the government is committed to replacing Action Fraud with a new state-of-the-art reporting service, making it easier for victims to report crime, and for law enforcement to take action on victims’ reports.