London Emergency Card

Tourist Police / Authorities

• Metropolitan Police (Charing Cross)
  101
  Agar St, WC2N 4JP — 24/7
• Report Fraud (national)
  0300 123 2040
  Report fraud & cybercrime
• Transport for London Cab Enforcement
  tfl.gov.uk/cabenforcement
  Illegal taxi reports

First 10 minutes if something happens

1. 1.Get to a safe, public spot (café, hotel lobby, shop) and call All emergencies on 999 if anyone is hurt or in immediate danger.
2. 2.Freeze cards immediately in your bank app (do this before calling the bank — it's faster). Revoke Apple Pay / Google Pay from a trusted device if your phone was taken.
3. 3.Change the password on your primary email from a trusted device, then sign out of every other session. Email is the master key to everything else.
4. 4.Contact Metropolitan Police (Charing Cross) on 101 to file a report — you'll need the reference number for insurance, banks, and your embassy.

Full 8-step checklist at gacs.app/safe-traveller/london

Top 5 scams to watch for

1. 1. Illegal minicab from Soho / West End
   An unlicensed driver offers you a ride at 2am then charges £80 for a £20 trip.
   Avoid: Never accept a ride from anyone approaching you on the street.
   If it happens: Refuse to pay a padded fare — you have no legal obligation to an unlicensed driver.
2. 2. ATM distraction & shoulder-surf
   One person 'helps' with a stuck card while an accomplice memorises your PIN.
   Avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches, not standalone street machines.
   If it happens: Freeze the card in your banking app immediately.
3. 3. Three-card monte on Westminster Bridge
   A rigged shell/card game with plants in the crowd who always 'win.'
   Avoid: Never bet — the game is rigged 100% of the time.
   If it happens: Walk away — you cannot win back money bet on an illegal game.
4. 4. Contactless card 'skim' in crowded Tube
   A stranger presses a card reader against your bag on a packed Northern Line train.
   Avoid: Keep cards in an RFID-blocking wallet or sleeve.
   If it happens: Check your banking app after every busy commute.
5. 5. Fake charity clipboard on Oxford Street
   'Deaf & mute' or 'child cancer' clipboards used to distract while an accomplice lifts your wallet.
   Avoid: Say 'No thanks' and keep walking — do not touch the clipboard.
   If it happens: Shout to draw attention — the group scatters quickly.