National Trading Standards Scams Team
Work Areas

National Trading Standards Scams Team

The National Trading Standards (NTS) Scams Team helps tackle mass marketing scams and disrupts the operations of perpetrators behind mail scams. It works in partnership with agencies across the country to identify and support victims of mass marketing fraud.

The team provides guidance, best practice and establishes a centre of excellence to assist local authorities in supporting local victims and taking local enforcement action.

Our Team in Action

Friends Against Scams is an NTS Scams Team initiative that aims to prevent and protect people from becoming victims of scams by empowering people to take a stand against scams. It is designed to inspire action, highlight the scale of the problem, change the perceptions of why people fall for scams and make scams a community, regional and national topic.

Anyone can be a Friend Against Scams and make a difference in their own way. With increased knowledge and awareness, people can make scams part of everyday conversation with their family, friends and neighbours which will enable them to protect themselves and others.

Anyone can learn about the different types of scams and how to spot and support a victim by attending a Friends Against Scams awareness session; these are run across the UK. Alternatively, you can complete an online learning session in the comfort of your own home, at work or wherever is most convenient for you. The online learning is available as an interactive version or as a video, so you will be able to learn about scams in a way that suits you. Find your nearest session or the online training here.

Reporting scams and getting advice

If you have made a payment in response to a scam, contact your bank as soon as possible.

In England and Wales:

Report – contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Advice – contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for a Welsh speaking advisor.

In Scotland:

Report – contact Police Scotland on 101.

Advice – contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.

In Northern Ireland:

Report – contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Advice – contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.

Property Agent Checker

Search our list of Estate and Letting agents, to check their registration with an approved independent redress scheme, to resolve disputes between agents and consumers.

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National Trading Standards Scams Team Press Releases

19 million lose money to scams but fewer than a third report

25th October 2023

NTS Scams Team helps ICO tackle nuisance calls

2nd October 2023

UK victims of international mass marketing scam to be compensated from recovered monies

19th July 2022