Fraud Protection Toolkit
Being targeted or worrying about the risk of fraud can be frightening and overwhelming.
It can leave you with worries about money and create a sense of a loss of identity, control, and not knowing which way to turn.
The need to remember lots of different fraud types can be confusing and feel like an added pressure upon you.
What if there was a way to help you reduce the risk of fraud? Without pressure and just choice, and less fear? Creating a sense of empowerment and hope?
The Fraud Protection Toolkit has been designed to help you do just that!
Every fraud starts by the fraud criminals exploiting a route of communication. This may be the telephone or via your computer.
Instead of asking you to remember the many different types of fraud, this focuses on each route of communication by highlighting which actions may be undertaken to try and minimise the risk relating to that route of contact.
Regardless of whether you have been targeted with fraud or not, it is recommended everyone take a few moments to consider safeguarding your personal information and finances.
If you have lost money to fraud, then you will understandably be eager to see if you are entitled to get it back. Although this is sadly not possible in all cases, our recovering monies lost to fraud page will help you decide if there is chance you may do so.
Beware fraud criminals will also pose as being able to help you recover money lost in a fraud. This is known as fraud recovery fraud and is likely to involve you being asked to pay and upfront fee (known as Advance fee fraud) this is also a fraud and will not result in you getting your money back.
Help me safeguard the contact routes exploited by fraud criminals
I am being contacted by, or I would like to take some steps to safeguard this route:
I have been targeted with fraud
Please ensure you report the incident to Action Fraud . This can be done online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Free emotional and practical support is available from Victims First.
Please remember that it is never your fault if you have been a victim of fraud. You are not to blame and there is no shame.
Fraudsters will use techniques designed to make you feel distressed, vulnerable, lonely, and isolated.
This can lead you to unfairly place blame upon yourself. You did not ‘fall’ for the fraud and full responsibility lies with the criminals. You are not alone.
The national Stop! Think Fraud Campaign contains essential information by providing the tools and knowledge to recognise fraudulent behaviour and take action to stop and prevent it.
Please also check out the #NoBlameNoShame Campaign by the National Trading Standards Scams Team to learn more about how criminals use manipulation in fraud.