Fraud and cybercrime

If you’re a victim of fraud or working with victims of fraud, here’s some information about how Victim Support can help.

In the year ending December 2021, the estimated number of fraud incidents in the previous 12 months was 5.2 million, an increase on 41% compared to the year ending December 2020 (ONS: Telephone-operated Crime Survey for England and Wales).

In 2021-22, we supported 8,198 people after they experienced fraud. Every day, we see the devastation and misery that’s the inevitable outcome of fraud. Some victims want their money back, others have had their trust and confidence destroyed. While the financial loss will be important, the impact on someone’s daily life can be far reaching and long lasting. Coming to terms with fraud, as with any other crime, can be a very long process for victims. At Victim Support we work directly with victims and with other agencies to help take away the stigma that’s often attached to fraud. We also want to give victims the confidence to report, knowing they are not alone and will be taken seriously.

We can’t directly compensate the financial loss. However, we can work with victims to understand what options they have, and whether they may be able to get a reimbursement from their bank.

How Victim Support helps

We work closely with City of London Police Action Fraud, Trading Standards, Age UK and others to help combat fraud and support those who experience it. We also work to ensure that people who experience fraud can protect themselves against experiencing it again.

VS actively supports the ‘Prevent and Protect’ government policy and plays an important role combating fraud, ensuring that the victim’s voice is heard at the highest level in government through our membership of the Joint Fraud Taskforce (JFT).

The JFT brings together the government, law enforcement and the banking sector to tackle fraud, raising awareness of the threats, removing the weak links in the systems and working to provide victims with the support they need and the respect that they deserve.

We are the oldest victims’ charity in the world, with nearly 50 years’ experience of supporting and working with people affected by crime. We are a trusted partner and work closely with local organisations and communities, local and national agencies, local and national government, and other third-sector organisations to deliver effective, victim-centred services that give people the support they need to move beyond the impact of crime.

Our knowledge and understanding of the fraud environment and the engagement, expertise and influence that we bring to this means that we are the third sector partner of choice in supporting victims of fraud. Our support is free, independent and confidential.

If you’ve been affected by fraud and would like information or support, request support using our online form or call our free Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can contact us using Relay UK on 18001 08 08 16 89 111. We also offer support through an interpreter, if English is not your first language.

If you want to know more about fraud, you can visit our Fraud page