Fraud

What is fraud?

Fraud is when someone steals property, goods or money by tricking, or trying to trick you. Many people are taken in by fraudsters - criminals that use clever tactics and tricks to try and manipulate people.

Some common words to describe types of fraud include: 'scam', 'con', 'trick', 'sham', 'false representation', 'swindle', 'deceit', and many more. One common tactic used by fraudsters is to use a false identity to commit crimes.

For example:

They might use fake name badges and identification.
They might deceive you into buying goods or services that are not for sale, or don't exist.
They may provide a service, often of poor quality, but charge you many times the original amount quoted, without reason.
They may trick you into giving them money, even large amounts, possibly over a long period of time.
They may resort to trying to frighten, bully or harass you to get more money

There are many different types of fraud. The following provides more information and guidance on a few of them. This is not an extensive list, and you can find more information as well as guidance and advice under the resources tab above.

Romance fraud

Romance fraud is a type of crime where a person uses a fake profile to build a friendship or relationship with you for fraudulent, financial gain.

They will spend significant amounts of time talking and engaging with you to gain your trust and create a relationship with you before they ask for money. To help keep yourself safe, you can do the following:

If using an online dating service, stay on their messenger service to talk until you are confident the person is who they say they are.
Never send money to someone who you haven't met in person
Avoid giving away personal details

If you are concerned that a person you are speaking to may not be who they say they are, you can do a reverse image search to find out if the photo they have been using has been taken from someone else. Upload the photo they are using to google image search.

If you think you have been a victim of romance fraud, or you have suspicions of it, you can report it online to Operation Signature at Sussex Police or you can call 101.

You can also report suspicions of online profiles linked to romance fraud anonymously to Scamalytics. Using an online form you can enter images, names and details of potential romance fraudsters. This not only keeps yourself and your loved ones safe, but could prevent others from falling victim too.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of romance fraud, you can find further advice and support by contacting the services listed on this site.

There are additional resources with guidance and advice for romance fraud under the resources tab.

Sextortion

'Sextortion' is a form of blackmail; often threatening to publish sexual photos or videos about someone. This may be to extort money or to force the victim to do something against their will. You can find more detail about sextortion under the sexual abuse page.

Additional resources can be found here.

Financial abuse

Financial abuse is the mistreatment of someone in terms of their money or assets, such as their property. It can be a form of domestic abuse if the perpetrator is a partner or family member.

Financial abuse can include:

money being stolen or misused
fraud
exploiting someone's financial affairs
pressuring and coercing someone about their will, lasting power of attorney, property or inheritance.

How to keep yourself safe from financial abuse:

Check receipts and what money has been spent
Only let people you trust have access to your accounts and money
Do not send money or information to people before checking who they are
Keep important documents and valuables safe and out of sight
Choose secure passwords and pins for banking that only you know

If you have concerns, please do talk to someone you know and trust. Alternatively there are services on this site that can advise you.

Some resources have been pulled together that can provide you with more information and advice.

If you are a professional supporting a victim of financial abuse, Surviving Economic Abuse has a range of tools for support all free to access on their website.

Cyber fraud

It is estimated that at least 84% of fraud reported nationally is cyber-enabled. By using ICT, it allows criminals to target a much bigger audience.

If you have been a victim of cyber/digital fraud, you can access free expert help through the Cyber Helpline.

You can find some resources around how to keep safe from cyber fraud under the resources tab.

Online hacking:

Online hacking is when criminals identify and exploit weaknesses in a computer system or network to gain, change or destroy personal information.

Online shopping:

Shopping online can save time and effort and gives you a wide choice of goods from around the world. Unfortunately, whilst most buyers and sellers are genuine, fraudsters use online shopping scams because they can hide their identity and target many victims at the same time.

Fraudsters can also target online sites such as Facebook marketplace, eBay, Gumtree and Vinted, getting you to send a product to them under false pretences that the money has already been sent.

Be aware of:

There should be a padlock symbol in the browser window where you have put the site address.
Spoof websites are fake sites made to look like real ones to steal personal or banking details. Look for 'https://' in the website address to ensure it is a secure site. The 's' stands for secure.
Anyone encouraging you to transfer money quickly.
When selling goods, make sure you receive payment confirmation before sending or handing over any goods. Check the funds are cleared in your account, either using online banking or by contacting your bank.

Banking

Banking and card fraud:

Fraudsters fit devices to cash machines that can trap bank cards, copy the card details and record the PIN.

Shield your PIN by standing close to the cash machine and covering the keypad with your hand, purse or wallet.
If there is anything that looks unusual about a cash machine, or there are signs of tampering, do not use it and report it to the bank.
If your card is retained by a cash machine, report it immediately to your card issuer whilst still at or near the machine.

Bank transfer:

Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams are when someone is convinced to transfer money from their bank account to a scammer. For example, by posing as their bank and asking you to transfer money out to a 'safe account'.

If you have been a victim of a APP scam, contact your bank as soon as it's happened and ask if you can get a refund.

You can find more information and guidance under the resources tab and 'banking'.

Take Five is a national campaign offering straight forward, impartial advice to help prevent email, phone based and online fraud. They have guidance on how to protect yourself from fraud such as this.

You can find more resources around banking fraud and keeping yourself safe under the resources tab.

Telephone/Mobile

Nearly a third of all fraud is committed over the telephone.

Criminals can use the telephone to impersonate your bank, police, tax office, investment or other trusted organisations to try convince you to part with your money.

If you receive a 'cold call', hang up and then check to see if it was genuine from a trusted source.

Phone numbers can be disguised to make it look like someone else is calling, this is called Caller ID spoofing.

When using your mobile phone, ensure that the WiFi network is safe, and your applications are up to date and have strong passwords.

More resources with further advice and guidance can be found under the resources tab.

Investment

There are many different types of investment fraud. They usually involve criminals contacting people out of the blue and convincing them to invest in schemes or products that are worthless or do not exist. Once payment has been received, they cease contact with the victim.

How to keep yourself safe from investment fraud:

Don't be rushed into making an investment. Legitimate organisations will never pressure you into investing on the spot.
Seek advice first. Before making a significant financial decision, speak to trusted friends or family members and/or seek professional independent advice.
Check the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) register to check if the company is regulated by the FCA. If a firm or individual isn't regulated by the FCA you may not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service if things go wrong.
The FCA has information about how to invest safely. Visit ScamSmart.

If you've been a victim of investment fraud:

Contact the Financial Conduct Authority's consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768 or report suspicious businesses or individuals using the reporting form on their website.
Keep an eye on your credit rating if you suspect your identity may have been stolen. Use a reputable service provider and follow up on any unexpected or suspicious results.
Seek legal advice or contact Citizens Advice to understand your options. In many cases there is a close correlation between what may be considered fraud and the civil tort (law) of deceit and/or breach of contract. For the deceit or breach of contract there are civil litigation options.
Be aware of any follow up scams. Fraudsters sometimes re-establish contact with previous victims with a new scam, claiming they can help recover lost money.

You can find additional information under the resources tab.

Courier fraud

Courier fraud is when the fraudster pretends to be a police officer or someone from your bank, normally advising that a crime has been committed and the victims bank account is linked in some way. The fraudster will ask the victim to withdraw money, purchase an item or withdraw foreign currency to help with the investigation.

It is important to note that no bank or police will ask you to verify personal details or PIN numbers over the phone, or pick up your bank account cards by courier.

Action Fraud have more detail around how to protect yourself from courier fraud and how to spot the signs.

More information can also be found under our resources tab.

Doorstep fraud

Doorstep fraud is when someone tries to scam you after knocking at your door, pretending to be a tradesmen, sales person or charity collector.

They may sell you goods or services, ask for payment up front and then never provide them, or they may be of very poor quality if they do. They may also demand payment for work that was never agreed to, or pressure you into agreeing to work.

You can find more detail about doorstep fraud on the Action Fraud site and the West Sussex County Council site.

There is additional information under the resources tab.

Identity fraud

Identity fraud is when someone uses your personal details (such as name, date of birth, addresses) in criminal activity to obtain goods/services by deception. This can include opening new bank accounts, taking out a loan or credit card in your name and ordering goods.

The Home Office has created a checklist to help victims who have experienced identity theft take steps to repair their identity and prevent revictimisation.

There are several leaflets that have been produced with more information around identity fraud and how to protect yourself, that you can read under our resources tab here.

Business fraud

Businesses can also be at risk of fraud, especially online. You can help minimise the risk of this by:

Implementing robust financial controls
Storing financial documents securely, shredding them when no longer needed
Checking bank statements carefully, and reporting anything you do not recognise or find suspicious
Ensuring your computer software is secure and updated
Using effective passwords to protect your data

The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East supports and helps protect small and medium sized enterprises, supply chain businesses and third sector organisations against cyber crime.

They can help provide security awareness training, vulnerability assessments and other guidance around protecting yourself.

Social engineering

Social engineering scams are where criminals try to scam you using impersonation, winning your trust and tricking you into disclosing confidential information or giving them money.

The scammers will use lies and social skills to scare or excite you into handing over information or money. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now being used to create images, videos and sounds of false identifies to fool scam victims.

Social engineering scams can be very specific to you, such as through a fake social media account where they add you as a friend, or to a wide range of people, such as posting an advertisement on popular social media sites which directs you to give credit card information in exchange for investment products.

Do not disclose personal information such as account passwords or credit card security codes unless you are not certain of the person you are speaking to. Banks will never ask you to disclose this information. Never contact your bank using the contact information within a suspicious email.
Enable two factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. You can read more about how to do this under our resources tab.

Phishing:

A social engineering tactic is called phishing which uses fraudulent emails to lure people into sending money or confidential information. Phishing emails normally read threatening or push for immediate action because of a financial emergency, such as detection of 'unusual activity' on an account. Scammers aim to scare people into responding quickly. Alternatively the email could push you to clicking on a link which results in a computer virus or dangerous software being installed.

If you believe you have clicked a phishing link, disconnect your computer/device from the internet straight away and then scan your system using a trusted security software.

If you have typed in/provided usernames and passwords on what may be a fake website, change them immediately on the legitimate site.

If you have disclosed information which means someone else may have access to your bank accounts, contact your bank immediately.

The National Cyber Security Centre website has a wealth of information around Phishing.

If you would like to report fraud, you can do so on Action Fraud's website.

Please note that Action Fraud are a reporting centre only and will be unable to update you on the progress of a case. All reports are sent to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, run by the City of London Police, to assess.

Alternatively, if you or someone you know is vulnerable, you can report directly to Operation Signature at Sussex Police online or by calling 101. Operation Signature is a Sussex Police campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud. You can find further advice and information on the Sussex Police website.

You can also report scam mail to the Royal Mail for their awareness.

The following resources have been collected to help you prevent and protect yourself from fraud:

Romance fraud

Romance fraud leaflet - Use these steps to keep yourself, and your loved ones, safe from romance fraudsters

Romance fraud: a victim's story - YouTube video by Hampshire Constabulary

Sextortion

Sextortion Phishing Scams- Information on what to do if you've received an email that's trying to blackmail you

Financial abuse

Stop Economic Abuse- a short video that highlights the experience of this form of abuse. Warning- this video contains scenes that some may find distressing.

Hourglass- A leaflet aimed at keeping older people safe from financial abuse

UK Finance and Surviving Economic Abuse- A useful leaflet around what financial and economic abuse is, practical support and staying safe.

Cyber fraud

Online hacking (individuals):

Cyber essentials website - Cyber Essentials is a simple but effective, Government backed scheme that will help you to protect your organisation, whatever its size, against a whole range of the most common cyber attacks.

The Little Leaflet of Cyber Advice - This short leaflet from Sussex and Surrey Police forces includes useful tips to protect you from online hacking.

Online shopping:

Get Safe Online- The Get Safe Online website provides unbiased, factual and easy to understand information on online safety. You'll also find information about how to shop online safely, and what to do if you become a victim of online crime.

Little Book of Big Scams (page 26)- This helpful booklet from Sussex Police contains information about keeping safe while shopping online on page 26.

Safe online payments- Useful information to help you make online payments safely.

General online/computer:

Little Book of Cyber Scams- Jointly produced by Sussex and Surrey Police this booklet contains a wealth of information to help you keep safe from cyber scams

Backups- Keep your data safe- A booklet produced by Sussex Police around keeping data safe by backing it up

Get Safe Online Leaflet- A leaflet produced by Get Safe Online around staying safe online

Banking fraud

Little Book of Big Scams (pages 20 - 22) - This helpful booklet from Sussex Police has information about banking and payment card scams.

Safe online payments - Useful information to help you make online payments safely

Banks

For further tips, advice and guidance on banking and fraud please see you banks support pages. You can do this by searching your bank online or clicking on the below links.

Click here for Barclays

Click here for NatWest

Click here for Nationwide

Click here for Lloyds

Click here for RBS

Click here for first direct

Click here for Santander

Telephone/Mobile

Telephone:

Truecall leaflet- Truecall is a small device which blocks nuisance calls. This leaflet explains how it works.

Truecall website- The Truecall website contains a wealth of information and advice about how you can keep yourself safe from scams, as well as about some of the products and services which are available to help you.

Little Booklet of Phone Scams- This leaflet from Sussex and Surrey Police forces contains practical and useful information to help you identify and avoid scams.

Mobile:

Get Safe Online - The Get Safe Online website provides unbiased, factual and easy to understand information on online safety. There is also a section on keeping safe while using the internet on a smartphone or tablet.

Little Booklet of Phone Scams - This leaflet from Sussex and Surrey Police forces contains practical and useful information to help you identify and avoid scams.

Little Book of Big Scams (pages 24 and 24) - This useful booklet from Sussex Police provides information about mobile phone scams on pages 23 & 24

App updates - Are you up to date? - A booklet produced by Sussex Police to provide advice around the importance of keeping apps updated

Wi-Fi Hotspots- How to surf safely - A booklet produced by Sussex Police around using public Wi-Fi

For further tips, advice and guidance please see your phone providers help pages. You can do this by searching your provider on the internet or clicking the links below.

Click here for O2

Click here for Virgin

Click here for EE

Click here for three

Click here for Vodafone

Investment fraud

FCA ScamSmart leaflet- pulls together some warning signs around investment fraud.

FCA ScamSmart leaflet- How to avoid investment and pension scams.

Courier fraud

Courier Fraud- A recorded webinar resources produced by the West Sussex Community Safety and Wellbeing Team about courier fraud.

Doorstep fraud

Doorstep Callers Leaflet- West Sussex County Council have pulled together a helpful leaflet around doorstep callers and scams.

Identity theft

CIFAS website - CIFAS is a not for profit fraud prevention membership organisation. If you've been a victim of identity fraud, or feel your personal data is vulnerable due to a breach they may be able to help.

Get Safe Online - The Get Safe Online website provides unbiased, factual and easy to understand information on online safety. They also have a section on preventing identity theft online.

Little Book of Big Scams (page 5) - This booklet from Sussex Police provides information about protecting your personal information on page 5.

Little Leaflet of Cyber Advice - Jointly produced by Sussex and Surrey Police this booklet contains a wealth of information to help you keep safe from cyber scams

Business fraud

Online hacking (businesses)

The South East Cyber Resilience Centre- Police led, business focused cyber support for your organisation.

Cyber security: Small business guide - A handy guide to help small businesses improve their cyber security

Cyber security: Small charity guide - A handy guide to help small charities improve their cyber security

Cyber security: Toolkit for boards - A handy guide to help boards to understand cyber security

Phishing attacks: Defending your organisation - How to defend your organisation from email phishing attacks

Phishing attacks video - A video guide to preventing the damage to your organisation from phishing attacks

Get Safe Online - The Get Safe Online website provides unbiased, factual and easy to understand information on online safety. They also have a section on preventing identity theft online.

The Little Leaflet of Cyber Advice - This short leaflet from Sussex and Surrey Police forces includes useful tips to protect you from online hacking.

Passwords- Keep your systems safe - Produced by Sussex Police, this booklet contains information around simple steps that can be taken to create and maintain strong passwords to keep your systems safe.

Social engineering

Take 5 Campaign - Take Five is a national campaign that offers straight-forward and impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud.

Little Book of Big Scams - This helpful booklet from Sussex Police has handy hints to protect yourself on pages 37 - 39.

Little Booklet of Phone Scams - This leaflet from Sussex and Surrey Police forces contains practical and useful information to help you identify and avoid scams.

Phishing- Don't get caught out - A booklet produced by Sussex Police around phishing.

Other resources

General

Fraud Protection Toolkit- The ultimate guide on how to minimise the risk of fraud

Spot the warning signs of fraud and scams - YouTube video from Sussex Police

Scam: the secret crime - YouTube video from Sussex Police

QR codes as enablers of fraud- An information document from the City of London Police around QR codes.

Victim Support Fraud Peer Support

Victim Support have a wealth of information about their Fraud Peer Support Service - you can read more below:

West Sussex Fraud Prevention Working Group

The West Sussex Fraud Prevention Working Group brings together partners across West Sussex to raise awareness about fraud, providing information and resources to support residents and businesses that are concerned about fraud and scams.

Below you can find details about the partners involved, prevalent scams information and other useful information.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex commissions local victim support services and runs the Safe Space Sussex website.

Sussex Police

Operation Signature is the force campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud.

West Sussex County Council

West Sussex County Council have an integral Community Safety and Wellbeing Team, raising online safety awareness amongst communities and professionals across West Sussex.

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch aims to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve safety.

Arun District Council

Adur and Worthing Safer Communities Partnership

Adur and Worthing Safer Communities Partnership is a multi agency partnership with the shared vision of reducing crime and disorder; working together to make Adur and Worthing a safer place to live, work and visit.

Horsham District Council

Mid Sussex District Council

Crawley Borough Council

Chichester District Council

Trading Standards

Trading Standards within West Sussex County Council

Victim Support Sussex- Fraud Service

Victim Support are a national organisation provided support to victims of crime. In Sussex, they have two specialist fraud caseworkers who offer tailored support to vulnerable victims of fraud throughout Sussex. They work closely with Sussex Police, their Operation Signature campaign and other partners. One of their key aims is to disrupt the actions of fraudsters and reduce the risk of re-victimisation. The fraud service also includes access to an online peer support group for those who have been the victims of romance fraud.

Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice

Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice is an independent charity (and a member of the National association of Citizens Advice) and provide clients with free, impartial, confidential advice on issues including: