Suspected fraud: protect the account and keep evidence
If you are threatened, move to safety and call police on 122. For suspected payment fraud, contact your bank promptly through its own app, official website or published number. Secure the account before spending time on a review or a replacement booking.
Protect the account first
Stop sending passwords, verification codes, identity documents or money. If a password was disclosed, use the service’s official recovery guidance to secure that account and any others sharing it. Do not pay another fee to release a booking or recover a refund. Open the bank’s own app or website instead of following the disputed message.
Tell the bank or payment provider the amount, recipient, time and what happened. Ask about card protection, an account check, a disputed transaction or an attempted transfer recall, according to the payment. Recovery depends on the circumstances and cannot be guaranteed.
Keep an account of what happened
Save the listing, original messages, receipt, payment reference and recipient’s name or account. Include the web address or profile and the date, time and place. Keep unedited copies so a bank, platform or police report has the context.
Note the business name or vehicle registration if safe. Do not confront someone or delay leaving an unsafe situation to obtain photographs.
Crime, a platform report or a service complaint?
For suspected crime, ask local police how to make a report and keep any reference. Report an online listing through the platform’s official process too. Police 122 is the published urgent contact; use the local procedure for a non-urgent report.
A cancellation, poor service or disputed price is not by itself proof of fraud. State the service failure and remedy requested through the company’s complaint process. The complaints guide explains that route separately from reporting a suspected crime.
If a taxi journey or meeting becomes unsafe
During an unsafe taxi ride or meeting, focus on reaching safety and getting local help. Use the emergency contacts for an urgent threat. Afterwards, retain the receipt or booking and give the facts to the company, bank or platform.
Keep passport details, private addresses and account information out of public reviews. Send the evidence through the responsible organisation’s verified channel; a review can wait until the urgent steps are done.
Before paying for a replacement
Before paying for replacement travel, compare the written service, business name, full price, cancellation terms and payment recipient. Keep the meeting point and booking contact with the confirmation. Use the transfer guide to prepare another journey.
If the business name, payment recipient or terms do not match, resolve it through the business’s verified contact before paying. Keep the confirmation and payment record together.
Cards, transfers, cash or a missing service
For an unrecognised card payment, give the issuer the transaction details and explain whether the card or account may be compromised. For a bank transfer, contact the bank promptly about a recall and retain the payment reference. Do not wait for a public review or police response before asking the payment provider what it can do.
For cash paid after deception or pressure, write down the place, time, person or business and what was said. For an accommodation switch or a tour that never took place, preserve the original promise, arrival details and messages, plus any replacement invoices. Report the listing through the booking platform as well as taking the appropriate bank or police route.
If an ATM looks altered or unexpectedly retains the card, stop using it and contact the bank through its official channel. Do not accept help that involves disclosing a PIN. The provider can explain the card-protection and disputed-payment process.
Keep a short timeline
Write what happened, when and where, who was involved, what you paid and how. Add the booking reference, payment method and action already taken. Keep bank, platform and police references together, and share the evidence through each verified channel.
If you still need a room or car, the stay guides and car-hire guide help compare another arrangement. Read the actual terms and payment recipient before paying again; a referral cannot replace those details.