Scam text messages claiming to be from Ofsted

We’re aware of a rise in scam text messages claiming to be from Ofsted, so we wanted to reassure you and let you know what you can do if you receive one.

We know that receiving these scam messages will be concerning, and we want to make it clear that they have not been sent by Ofsted. The scammers are also not getting your contact details from us. We continue to monitor and assess this every time we’re alerted to these attempted scams.

How Ofsted would contact you

If we do ever need to contact you about your registration, we will always do so from an official Ofsted email address, via telephone call, by post or in person.

We would never contact you by text message to inform you of a suspension or any other type of enforcement action.

How to recognise a potential scam

Often these scam messages say they are from ‘Ofsted Support’ and that Ofsted will temporarily suspend your registration or other similar action if you do not act urgently. They then ask you to open links, and supply information including:

your Ofsted registered email address passwords to access your registration account your Ofsted registration certificate What to do if you suspect you have received a scam message

Do not open any links contained in the message. You should report the message to your mobile phone provider as phishing. If you have opened any links, you should change your passwords on Ofsted’s registration services.

We also recommend reporting the incident to the UK’s national reporting centre for cyber crime and fraud and notifying your local authority.

There is no need to contact Ofsted if you receive any kind of suspicious communication claiming to be from us. However, if you are unsure, you can get in touch using our contact form or by calling 0300 123 1231.

Safe data practice

The Information Commissioner’s Office has published data protection tips for early years settings to help you understand data protection compliance. This includes details on how to keep data secure.  

https://earlyyears.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/scam-text-messages-claiming-to-be-from-ofsted/

seen at 14:33, 18 March in Ofsted: early years.