My Child Has Shared Our Financial Details Online
Your child has shared financial details — such as bank account numbers, card details, online banking passwords, or payment information — online. This may have happened through a phishing scam, a game or app that requested payment details, a social media post, or a message to someone they trusted online.
It is very easy for children to share financial details without understanding the consequences. Whether they were tricked by a scam, convinced by an online contact, or simply made an error of judgement, the most important thing now is to act quickly and calmly. Swift action can significantly reduce the financial and personal impact.
What to do now
Contact Your Bank Immediately
Call the number on the back of your bank card or use your banking app to report the potential compromise. Ask them to freeze the affected account or card and flag any recent suspicious transactions. Most UK banks have dedicated fraud lines available 24 hours a day.
✗ Do not: Do not delay — the sooner the bank is informed, the sooner they can put protections in place. Every minute counts with card fraud.
Change Passwords and Access Credentials
If online banking passwords or login details were shared, change them immediately on every device. Also change any other accounts that use the same password. Enable two-factor authentication if it is not already set up.
Identify Exactly What Was Shared
Find out as precisely as you can what information was given — account number, sort code, card number, expiry date, CVV, PIN, or online banking password. Different information carries different levels of risk, and this will help the bank and Action Fraud assess the situation.
Report to Action Fraud
Report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk. Provide as much detail as possible about who the information was shared with, how, and when. If your child was deliberately targeted by a scammer, this is a crime and should be reported.
Talk to Your Child Without Blame
Explain what has happened and what you are doing to fix it. Make clear that they are not in serious trouble — many adults fall for similar scams. Use this as an opportunity to explain how scammers operate and what to watch for in future.
What not to do
- ✗Do not wait to see if anything happens — financial fraud often occurs very quickly after details are obtained.
- ✗Do not blame your child in a way that makes them afraid to come to you with similar concerns in future.
- ✗Do not assume a scam was unsophisticated — some online financial scams targeting children are highly convincing.
Preserving evidence
Why this matters
If you need to report to authorities or a platform, evidence can help.
- •Screenshot any messages, websites, or apps through which the details were shared, including usernames and URLs, before closing them.
- •Note the date and time the details were shared, what was shared, and where — this is important for the Action Fraud report.
How to talk to your child
- ✓Lead with practical reassurance: 'We can sort this out. Let's do it together.' Before explaining how scams work.
- ✓Acknowledge that scammers are deliberate and sophisticated: 'These people are very good at what they do — even adults get caught out.'
Who to contact
Action Fraud
To report fraud or a cybercrime, including if financial details were shared as a result of a scam
Monday–Friday 8am–8pm (phone); online reporting 24/7
Your Bank's Fraud Line
Immediately — to freeze accounts, report suspicious transactions, and request replacement cards
Most major UK banks offer 24/7 fraud lines
CIFAS (fraud prevention)
To register a protective registration if you are concerned your identity has been compromised
Online registration available 24/7
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
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Quick Reference — My Child Has Shared Our Financial Details Online
My Child Has Shared Our Financial Details Online — Quick Reference
Safe Child Guide — safechildguide.com
Do this:
- 1. Call the number on the back of your bank card or use your banking app to report the potential compromise. Ask them to freeze the affected account or card and flag any recent suspicious transactions. Most UK banks have dedicated fraud lines available 24 hours a day.
- 2. If online banking passwords or login details were shared, change them immediately on every device. Also change any other accounts that use the same password. Enable two-factor authentication if it is not already set up.
- 3. Find out as precisely as you can what information was given — account number, sort code, card number, expiry date, CVV, PIN, or online banking password. Different information carries different levels of risk, and this will help the bank and Action Fraud assess the situation.
- 4. Report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk. Provide as much detail as possible about who the information was shared with, how, and when. If your child was deliberately targeted by a scammer, this is a crime and should be reported.
- 5. Explain what has happened and what you are doing to fix it. Make clear that they are not in serious trouble — many adults fall for similar scams. Use this as an opportunity to explain how scammers operate and what to watch for in future.
Do NOT do this:
- ✗ Do not wait to see if anything happens — financial fraud often occurs very quickly after details are obtained.
- ✗ Do not blame your child in a way that makes them afraid to come to you with similar concerns in future.
- ✗ Do not assume a scam was unsophisticated — some online financial scams targeting children are highly convincing.
Stay calm. You are doing the right thing by looking for help. Your child needs your support, not your panic.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-01