Cybercrime

Have you been affected by cybercrime?

Cybercrime is when someone uses the internet or digital technology – like computers, phones, or online platforms – to commit a crime.

These crimes can affect individuals, families, children, businesses and organisations. Because much of our daily life now happens online, cybercrime can sometimes feel very personal and intrusive.

If someone has targeted you online, you may feel confused, upset or unsure what to do next. Support and advice are available. You do not have to deal with this on your own.

Types of cybercrime

Cybercrime can take many forms. Some common examples include:

  • Online harassment or stalking, including cyberbullying
  • Child sexual abuse online, including grooming or sharing sexual images of children
  • Hacking, where someone gains access to your device or accounts without permission
  • Malware or viruses, which can damage your device or steal information
  • Online hate crime or extremist content

Cybercrime can also involve fraud and scams, such as:

  • Scam or spam emails
  • Phishing messages that try to steal passwords or personal details
  • Online fraud or identity theft

AI cybercrime

New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly being used by criminals to carry out online scams and abuse. This can include AI-generated messages, voice recordings or videos (sometimes called ‘deepfakes’) designed to look or sound like someone you know.

Criminals may use these tools to impersonate family members, colleagues, banks or public services to steal money, gain access to accounts or pressure people into sharing personal information.

If you have experienced this kind of crime, it’s important to remember that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can be very convincing. Being targeted or deceived by them does not mean you have done anything wrong.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online. It often affects children and young people, although adults can also be targeted.

Examples include:

  • Threatening or abusive messages
  • Sharing embarrassing images or videos without permission
  • Trolling or sending repeated hostile messages
  • Exclusion from online groups or games
  • Online shaming or harassment
  • Identity theft or fake accounts created in your name
  • Pressure to send sexual images or messages

How you might be feeling

Being targeted online can feel very unsettling. Because the person responsible may be hidden behind a screen, it can sometimes feel like you are dealing with an invisible threat.

You might feel:

  • Vulnerable or exposed after someone accessed your personal information
  • Worried about your safety or finances
  • Angry or frustrated about what has happened
  • Unsure who to trust online
  • Overwhelmed if you are unfamiliar with digital technology

If your child has been affected, you may also feel worried about their safety and wellbeing.

People respond to these experiences in different ways. However you are feeling is valid. Support is available if you would like help.

You are not alone. Millions of people experience cybercrime each year.

Get the help you need

If you would like information, advice or emotional support, call us on 0800 876 6155. We can listen to what has happened and help you understand what support options are available.

You can get support whether or not the incident has been reported to the police.

You may also find help from the following organisations.

National Cyber Security Centre – Provides advice and guidance on protecting yourself, recovering from cyber incidents and improving digital safety.

Action Fraud – The UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can report cybercrime or get information about scams.
Phone: 0300 123 2040
They also provide a 24-hour reporting line for businesses and organisations experiencing a live cyber attack.

NSPCC – The UK’s leading children’s charity. They provide guidance for parents and carers about online safety and cyberbullying.
Helpline: 0808 800 5000

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) – A service run by the National Crime Agency where children, young people and adults can report concerns about online sexual abuse or grooming.

Internet Watch Foundation – Allows you to report suspected online images or videos of child sexual abuse so they can be removed.

It’s Not Okay – A Greater Manchester initiative working to protect young people from child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Reporting cybercrime to the police

If a crime is happening right now or someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

If you want to report cybercrime that’s not an emergency, you can:

You can also share information anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is a charity that is independent of the police.

Steps that may help improve your online safety

If you’ve experienced cybercrime, there are some steps that may help protect your accounts and devices. You can take these at your own pace.

  • Install or update anti-virus and security software – This can help protect your device from malware and viruses.
  • Update your device, apps and browser – Use the latest security settings to reduce vulnerabilities
  • Change passwords for important accounts – Consider using two-factor authentication for extra security.
  • Avoid opening links or attachments from unexpected emails or messages – These could be phishing attempts.
  • Report scam emails or suspicious messages to Action Fraud – This helps protect others too.

If you’re worried about a child online

  • Learn how the apps, games and social platforms they use work
  • Set privacy settings and parental controls where appropriate
  • Block or report abusive users or harmful content
  • Talk openly with the child about online safety and who they can speak to if something worries them

If you are concerned that a child may be groomed or exploited online, you can report this to CEOP or contact a specialist safeguarding team.

If you think your device has been hacked or infected:

The National Cyber Security Centre provides step-by-step guidance on how to recover an infected device.

All types of crime