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What to do if…
you receive an urgent message saying you may be in breach of supervision conditions and must respond today

Short answer

Pause and verify it’s real using contact details you already trust (your supervising officer/service), then respond today through an official channel if it’s genuine.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t click links, download attachments, or scan QR codes from the message until you’ve verified it independently.
  • Don’t call back a number given in the message if you don’t already recognise it (use your saved supervision contact details instead).
  • Don’t send money, bank details, or ID photos because of a “today” threat (that’s a common scam pattern).
  • Don’t reply in panic with a long explanation or admissions. Keep it brief until you know who you’re speaking to.
  • Don’t ignore it and hope it goes away if there’s any chance it’s genuine.

What to do now

  1. Capture and preserve the message. Screenshot it (including the number/email shown), and note the time/date you received it. Don’t delete it yet.
  2. Check your own paperwork and recent contact. Look for your supervision/licence/community order documents and the contact details you were given (names, office, phone numbers, appointment letters).
  3. Verify using a trusted route (not the message). Use the route that matches where you are in the UK:
    • England & Wales: contact your offender manager/probation officer using the number/email you already use, or call your local Probation Service office via official GOV.UK contact listings.
    • Scotland: contact your supervising social worker / criminal justice social work contact listed on your order paperwork or local council justice social work contact.
    • Northern Ireland: contact your supervising officer/service via your paperwork, or contact the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) using official contact details.
  4. Once verified, send a short “received + instructions” reply today. For example:
    • “I received your message today. Please confirm what you need me to do and by when. I’m available at [times].” Keep it factual. Ask what condition they believe is breached and what they want you to do next (call, attend, provide specific information).
  5. If the message seems suspicious, treat it as a possible scam. Warning signs include: demands for money, pressure to act “within hours”, unusual links, requests for passwords/one-time codes, or a tone that doesn’t match prior contact.
  6. If you think it’s a scam:
    • Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (free) to report to your mobile provider.
    • Report the scam using the UK fraud/cybercrime reporting route that applies where you are (for example, Report Fraud in England/Wales/Northern Ireland; Police Scotland via 101 in Scotland).
  7. If you clicked a link, shared details, or paid anything: contact your bank/payment provider immediately, change any reused passwords from a safe device, and keep screenshots/receipts.
  8. If you’re told police want to speak to you today: you can ask for legal advice before answering detailed questions or attending an interview. If you’re asked to attend, ask who is requesting it, the station/location, and your rights to a solicitor.
  9. If you feel at immediate risk right now (for example, threats of violence or someone pressuring you in real time), call 999. If it’s urgent but not an emergency, call 101.

What can wait

  • You do not need to write a full statement, gather “proof”, or argue your case right now.
  • You do not need to decide today whether to make a complaint about how the message was sent.
  • You do not need to assume the worst (for example, immediate recall) based only on a single message—verify first.

Important reassurance

A “respond today” message is designed to trigger panic—sometimes because it’s genuinely time-sensitive, and sometimes because scammers rely on fear. Taking a moment to verify the sender through a trusted route is a protective step, not “ignoring it”.

Scope note

These are first steps to (1) confirm whether the message is genuine and (2) avoid a harmful response. If it’s real, next steps depend on your order/licence and what’s alleged, and you may want legal advice quickly.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you’re unsure whether the contact is genuine or you feel pressured to act immediately, prioritise verification through official channels and consider getting legal advice before answering detailed questions.

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