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What to do if…
a message claiming to be from police or a court demands immediate payment

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Do not pay, reply, follow links, call a number in the message, or share personal or banking details. Pause and verify the claim independently using contact details found through GOV.UK or the relevant police force’s official website.

Do not do these things

  • Do not let threats of arrest, prosecution, extra charges, or a short deadline rush you.
  • Do not click a payment link or open an unexpected attachment.
  • Do not call a telephone number supplied in the message.
  • Do not transfer money, buy gift cards, send cryptocurrency, or provide card details.
  • Do not share passwords, security codes, account details, your National Insurance number, or identity documents.
  • Do not install software or allow remote access to your phone or computer.
  • Do not delete the message before saving the details you may need to report it.
  • Do not assume that a displayed number, sender name, logo, reference number, or personal detail proves the message is genuine.

What to do now

  1. Stop interacting with the sender. Close any link or attachment without entering information, and end any connected call.
  2. Save the message, sender address or number, payment instructions, and any claimed case or reference number. Screenshots are usually sufficient.
  3. Find the relevant police force, court, tribunal, or HM Courts and Tribunals Service contact details independently through GOV.UK or an official police website.
  4. Contact that organisation using the independently found details. Explain that you received an urgent payment demand and ask whether the case, fine, reference, or message is genuine.
  5. Forward a suspicious SMS text to 7726. For messages received through WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, iMessage, or another service, use that service’s report and block functions after saving the details.
  6. If you paid or disclosed banking information, contact your bank immediately using its official app, website, or the number printed on your card. Ask it to secure your account and check whether the payment can be stopped or recovered.
  7. If you lost money, shared sensitive information, or allowed access to a device, report the incident to Report Fraud if you are in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.
  8. Call 999 only where there is an immediate danger or a crime is happening now.
  9. Change any password entered through the message, beginning with your email password. Contact the relevant provider promptly if you disclosed a security code or allowed remote access.

What can wait

You do not need to decide immediately whether the sender is definitely a criminal, confront them, investigate their identity, or resolve any genuine fine or court matter through the message. First stop contact, protect your money and accounts, and verify the claim independently.

Important reassurance

Urgency, threats, official-looking details, and demands for immediate payment are common pressure tactics. Pausing to verify the claim through independently found official contact details is a reasonable and protective step.

Scope note

This guide covers the first steps after receiving an unexpected police or court payment demand. A genuine fine, court notice, enforcement matter, or suspected fraud may later require help from the relevant authority, your bank, a solicitor, or another specialist service.

Important note

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Procedures differ across the UK and according to the type of case, so verify any claimed matter directly with the relevant police force, court, tribunal, or government service.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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