I only clicked the link
Close the page, avoid entering details and check the message through an official route.
Follow the stepsClicked a scam link
What to do if you clicked a scam link
If you clicked a suspicious link, pause before doing anything else. The next steps depend on whether you only opened the page, entered details, downloaded something or shared banking information.
UK-focused guidance Plain English Official reporting routes No scare tactics
Do these first
Do not panic and do not click anything else on the suspicious page. Close it, think about what you entered, and take the most relevant next step.
- Close the page or message.
- Do not enter any more details.
- If you entered banking details, contact your bank using a trusted route.
- If you entered a password, change it from the official website or app.
- Report suspicious texts to 7726 and suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
What happened?
Choose the closest situation. If more than one applies, start with the most serious one.
I entered a password
Change the password from the real website or app. Start with your email account if that was involved.
Secure passwordsI entered bank details
Contact your bank immediately using your banking app, card number or official website.
Money or bank details involvedStep-by-step guidance
Work through these in order. Quick action is useful, but you do not need to rush into the wrong place.
1
Close the suspicious page
Close the browser tab, message or app. Do not press more buttons on the page and do not ring any phone number shown there.
2
Work out what you shared
Think calmly about whether you entered:
- a password or one-time code
- card or bank details
- personal information such as name, address or date of birth
- a file download or app installation
3
Change passwords if needed
If you entered a password, go directly to the real website or app and change it. Do not use links from the suspicious message.
If the same password is used elsewhere, change it on those accounts too.
4
Contact your bank if money or card details were involved
Use your banking app, the phone number on your card, or the official website. Tell them you may have entered details on a scam page.
In the UK, 159 can also connect many customers to their bank safely.
5
Check your device
If you downloaded a file, installed an app or allowed notifications, run a security scan and remove anything suspicious.
6
Watch for follow-up scams
Scammers may contact you again pretending to help recover money, secure your account or confirm details. Use official routes only.
Official UK reporting routes
Cleverways gives guidance, but reporting and urgent account protection should use trusted official routes.
Suspicious texts
Forward scam texts to 7726 for free.
Suspicious emails
Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Fraud and cyber crime
Report fraud and cyber crime through Report Fraud.
Go to Report FraudWhat not to do
Avoid making the situation worse by reacting to pressure.
Do not click more links
Go directly to official websites or apps instead.
Do not call numbers from the message
Use trusted contact details from your bank, provider or official website.
Do not reuse the same password
If one password was exposed, any account using it may be at risk.
Do not ignore follow-up messages
Treat recovery offers and urgent security calls carefully. Check independently.
Want printable scam-safety checklist?
The UK Scam Safety Toolkit gives you practical checklists and action sheets to keep at home, including steps for suspicious messages, bank calls, online shopping scams and family conversations.
If something else happened
These guides may help if the link led to another problem.
I sent money
Contact your bank or payment provider quickly and ask what can be done.
Read the money guidanceMy account was hacked
Secure your email first, change passwords and check recent account activity.
Read the account guidanceI received a suspicious text
Use a quick check before clicking, replying or sharing details.
Read the text scam checksKeep the 10-second scam check nearby
The safest step is often a pause. Download the free Cleverways guide and keep a simple check nearby for suspicious messages, calls and payment requests.