Crime and victims
Fraud
Fraud happens when somebody uses deception to obtain goods, services or money. It is a serious problem in the UK, and we are working hard to prevent it.
The face of fraud changes as technology advances. It is our job to help you take steps to prevent fraud from occurring in the first place.
When it does occur, we intend to be sure that it's dealt with it effectively.
You can help stop it
To stop it, we need your help. Every year fraud costs the economy billions of pounds:
- a report commissioned in 2007 by the Association of Chief Police Officers estimated the cost of fraud to be at least £14bn a year. (See the Fraud in the UK (new window) report)
- plastic card fraud alone cost nearly £610m in 2008, an increase of more 14% over 2007 (figures published by APACS, the UK Payment Industry)
So everybody needs to take some steps to protect themselves. You can help us make life harder for fraudsters.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Here are a few simple precautions that you can take to ensure you don’t become a victim of fraud:
- be alert when using your cheque or credit card; keep your plastic cards and account information safe at all times
- don't send money in response to unsolicited letters or phone calls
- dispose of any documents bearing your name and address and any other personal details carefully.
What if it happens to you?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if you need to report card or bank account fraud, you should immediately contact your bank or card company. Credit card companies and banks are responsible for verifying the crime, and reporting it to the police.
You can also:
- report different types of fraud on the Action Fraud website (new window). They also provide advice on protecting yourself from fraudsters.
- visit Cardwatch (new window) - a useful source of information on payment card fraud and its prevention, and Banksafe online (new window) which is designed to help those using online banking to stay safe
- visit the Metropolitan Police fraud alert website (new window) for information about current scams and frauds, and what to do if you think you have been a victim of fraud.
Get some advice
Here are some more places where you can find useful fraud prevention tips and advice from the professionals:
- the Identity Theft website (new window) gives good information on how you can protect your identity and your credit rating from fraudsters
- the Be Card Smart campaign (new window) run by the payments industry helps cardholders stay safe online - it is supported by the Home Office
- the e-tailing mini-site (new window) - provides information for both consumers and businesses on safe internet shopping and selling
- the Keep Your Cards Safe leaflet - produced by the Home Office in conjunction with the credit card industry - has good tips
- the Home Office's fraud mini-site (new window) provides information on fraud for police, businesses and consumers
What we're doing to prevent fraud
In 2008, the government allocated £29m to be spent putting into place recommendations made in a cross-government fraud review conducted by the attorney general.
A new national fraud strategic authority now coordinates the UK’s response to fraud, and it has launched a national fraud strategy.
The City of London Police now have taken a lead role for investigating serious and complex fraud, and will help other forces with fraud investigations. The Home Office is working with them to establish a national fraud reporting centre, which will improve police intelligence about fraudsters operating in the country.
In addition, the dedicated cheque and plastic crime unit is also looking at ways to deal with the issue of fraud. This specialist police team - established with the help of the card industry - is working to reduce organised card and cheque fraud.
Chip and PIN
We supported the finance and retail industries in introducing Chip and PIN, which is helping fight certain types of plastic card fraud.
