Fighting fraud: Campaign to raise awareness

EMPOWERING PEOPLE: Detective Inspector Ben Robinson, left, and Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison

By Rick Lyon

Humberside Police have hosted the region’s first Fraud Prevention Conference.

The conference featured speakers from the force’s Economic Crime Unit (ECU), national and local Trading Standards, Victim Support, Age Concern, Citizens Advice and True Call.

The Fraud Prevention Conference has been a catalyst to relaunch Take Five, a national campaign launched back in May 2021 offering simple, impartial advice to help prevent and disrupt fraudulent activity, as well as protect potential victims against it.

Humberside Police and the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) have partnered to reiterate the seriousness of this crime, the effect it has on victims, as well as giving people the tools and power to spot the signs and say no.

Detective Inspector Ben Robinson, from Humberside Police’s ECU said: “In the Humberside Police area 7,972 victims lost £21.7m in 2021/2022, but only one in seven cases are reported to the police.

“Just imagine what these figures would show if more people came forward, especially since people are more likely to be a victim of fraud than any other offence.

“The impact of fraud can be considerable, having a huge effect on people’s confidence and wellbeing, as well as their financial situation. I too have been a victim in the past and can really relate to the victims we speak to daily.

“We need to continue to increase knowledge of the many different types of fraud and methods used, but most of all we really want to empower people to be able to protect themselves and those they love from becoming a victim of these crimes.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison said: “Sadly, the number of people being targeted by fraudsters across the Humber region and nationally is huge.

“It’s a serious crime committed by unscrupulous criminals, therefore it’s vital to ensure that as many people as possible are fraud aware and empowered to take five, and ultimately say no to fraud.

“My hope is that relaunching this campaign brings fraud back to the fore to prevent more people from becoming victims again, having their identities stolen or being left distraught by their ordeals.

“Working in partnership with Humberside Police, our intention is to give victims of crime a voice to highlight how serious fraud is, and ultimately remove the stigma and embarrassment that victims often feel.”

More information can be found on social media #SayNoToFraud and at www.saynotofraud.uk.