Talk to beat fraud

Fraud has been described as a ‘silent crime’. But it is not a victimless crime. It knows no boundaries and deeply affects tens of thousands of people in the UK each year. It is a crime that is second only to the illegal drugs trade in terms of its impact on the UK, and on average, it costs each adult living in the UK around £621 per year. But the human cost is even higher because proceeds of fraud are often used to fund serious crimes such as drug smuggling and people trafficking.

Most victims of fraud do not report the crime. Victims of fraud often don’t want to talk about what’s happened to them because they feel embarrassed and ashamed. Fraudsters rely on that silence. But we can fight back by talking. The National Fraud Authority (NFA) has launched Action Fraud, a national fraud reporting centre that provides a single point of contact for fraud victims where they can both report a fraud and seek guidance and advice.

Dr Bernard Herdan, Chief Executive of the NFA, said: “Action Fraud is at the heart of our strategy to make the UK a more hostile environment for fraud. Victims of fraud often don’t want to talk about it because they feel embarrassed. They not only suffer a financial loss but a loss of self esteem because they blame themselves for being taken in. But the best way to fight fraud and fraudsters is to get people talking about it and reporting it to Action Fraud.”

Action Fraud provides a clear signpost for reporting all types of fraud, including identity theft, investment, credit card and consumer fraud. At the same time it gives law enforcement and counter-fraud agencies better information to better target fraudsters, better protect the public and bring criminals to justice, by providing vital information to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). This collaboration between the Forces, the NFIB and Action Fraud will help tighten the net on fraudsters.

Dorset Police Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Burkmar, Head of CID, said: “Action Fraud will support victims, help prevent fraud and better enable Dorset Police to investigate crime by giving us access to national intelligence.

"Fraudsters can target people in Dorset regardless of where they are based, so by providing a national reporting centre we will be in a much stronger position to tackle fraud locally.”

If individuals or business operators have been a victim of fraud in the last 12 months and want to report a fraud, they are encouraged to call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, Textphone 0300 123 2050 or visit www.actionfraud.org.uk to get advice and guidance on protecting yourself from fraud.