Online account hacking surges 31% – what you need to know to stay safe

New analysis found a sharp increase in online crime, including an increase in email and social media account hacking and rising reports of romance scams and ticket fraud catching thousands off guard. 

Our data, which combines incident reports from Action Fraud, Cifas, and UK Finance, shows that 38,945 people reported having their email or social media accounts hacked between July 2024 and June 2025, compared to 29,703 reports between July 2023 and June 2024. 

The number of people affected by dating scams, where scammers build a relationship with victims before tricking them into sending money, is also on the rise with the number of incidents up 12% year-on-year. 

The number of sports, theatre, and live music fans targeted by criminals was up by 5% compared to the previous year. Roughly 9,095 people fell victim to music ticket fraud between July 2024 and June 2025 – potentially costing people more than £900,000 collectively. 

Ticket fraud, although rising in recent years, could see a significant drop soon after the UK Government's plans to ban ticket reselling come into effect.

With event tickets no longer being snatched up by scalpers and touters, sold for much higher than the original price, fans hopefully will no longer need to resort to dodgy third-party resale websites to secure affordable tickets, which is one of the main ways ticket fraudsters operate.

Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert

Bolster your online security before you browse

Whether you’re shopping, dating, or booking tickets online, we share a huge amount of personal and financial information online, and in the wrong hands, it can be misused with serious consequences. 

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it’s vital to know the warning signs. 

Simple steps like enabling two-factor authentication, using unique passwords for each account, and being cautious of offers that seem too good to be true can make a big difference in keeping your accounts secure.

Top Tips for Staying Safe Online 

• Replace old routers: MoneySuperMarket research found that more than 4.5 million households may be exposed to broadband security risks due to outdated Wi-Fi routers. If your router is more than five years old, or has stopped receiving security updates, it is time to upgrade.  

• Turn on two-factor authentication: Extra protection for your emails and social media accounts. 

• Use strong, unique passwords: Never reuse the same password or passcodes across accounts. 

• Don’t trust strangers: Romance scammers often build trust before asking for money. 

• Buy tickets from official sources: Avoid last-minute “deals” from strangers selling tickets online or on social media. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.  

• Lock down your privacy settings: Make sure strangers can’t snoop on your personal info. 

<sup>Sources
1. Hacking - social media and email: July 2023 to June 2024 = 29,703 reports. July 2024 to June 2025 = 38,945 reports. Trends in Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). CSEW combines incident reports from Action Fraud, Cifas, and UK Finance. 
2. Dating Scams: July 2023 to June 2024 = 8,626 reports (CSEW). July 2024 to June 2025 = 9,624 reports. 
3. Ticket fraud: July 2024 to June 2025 = 9,095 reports (CSEW). The average ticket price for the top 100 tours = £101.  
4. £101 x 9,095 = £918,595. 
5. 4.5million households is based on 16% of 28.4million UK households reported by ONS in 2023. Survey carried out by MoneySuperMarket on 10th December 2024 with 2,000 adults across the UK in a nationally representative survey.</sup>