Identity fraud hit a record high in 2026: how to protect your casino account from day one
A casino account holds your identity documents, your bank details and sometimes a balance, which makes it worth protecting. Fraud prevention service Cifas says identity fraud and account takeover are now the biggest drivers of fraud in the UK, and it has warned in the past that criminals target gambling sign-ups. Here is what the latest figures show and the simple steps that make your account much harder to hijack.
By Ryan Jessop. Published .
Key points
- Cifas recorded more than 220,000 fraud-risk cases in January to June 2026, the highest first-half total on record.
- Identity fraud made up 59% of cases, nearly 130,000, up 9%.
- Account takeover cases rose 5% to nearly 40,000.
- In 2025 Cifas reported a 109% rise in gambling-related identity fraud in the first half, including misuse of deceased people’s identities.
- A unique password, two-step verification and a secured email account are your best protection.
- Cases, H1 2026
- 220,000+
- Identity fraud share
- 59%
- Identity fraud cases
- Nearly 130,000 (+9%)
- Account takeover
- Nearly 40,000 (+5%)
- Source
- Cifas National Fraud Database
- Published
- 5 August 2026
What the figures show
Cifas, the not-for-profit fraud prevention service, publishes data from the National Fraud Database shared by its members. Its 2025 annual report recorded a record 444,000 cases, more than 1,200 a day, and its update for the first half of 2026 found more than 220,000 cases, with identity fraud the largest category. Account takeover, where criminals use stolen details to break into an existing account, rose too. In 2025 Cifas specifically flagged a 109% rise in gambling-related identity fraud in the first half of the year, with criminals exploiting weaknesses in how accounts are opened.
Six steps to a secure casino account
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Use a unique password | Stops a breach elsewhere unlocking your casino account |
| Turn on two-step verification if offered | A stolen password alone is not enough |
| Secure your email | Password resets go there |
| Sign up only through the real site | Look-alike sign-up pages steal details |
| Upload documents only inside your account | Never send ID by email to an unknown address |
| Check emails about changes | An unexpected “details changed” alert can mean takeover |
If something looks wrong
Contact the casino at once through its website or app, ask it to freeze the account, change your email and casino passwords, and tell your bank if card details may be exposed. Our guides to changing details after sign-up and whether it is safe to sign up explain what a licensed casino will ask you to confirm.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment, never a way to make money. Free, confidential help 24/7: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133, or see our safer gambling page.
Frequently asked questions
How common is identity fraud in the UK?
Cifas recorded nearly 130,000 identity fraud cases in the first half of 2026, 59% of all fraud-risk cases filed.
What is account takeover?
When criminals use stolen details to break into and control someone’s existing account.
How do I protect my casino account?
Use a unique password, turn on two-step verification if available, secure your email and only sign up through the casino’s real site.
What should I do if my casino account is hacked?
Contact the casino straight away to freeze it, change your passwords and tell your bank if card details may be at risk.
Related pages
Sources
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