Stay Ahead of Cybercrime: Fraud Prevention Resources

Our online shopping guide has been developed in collaboration with cyber fraud experts from Hampshire Constabulary and gives plenty of useful tips on how to stay safe from fraud when shopping online. The guide is accessible here.

We have put together a pack with information on the most common types of fraud, how to recognise them, how to avoid them, and what to do when you do get targeted.

The pack has been designed specifically for vulnerable members of our communities.

Read the Safer Pack online

Always call 999 in an emergency.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary have a range of online leaflets and advice about a range of common scams and cybercrimes. These can be accessed using the links below:

• Little Book of Big Scams
• Little Leaflet of Cyber Advice
• Take Five Stop Fraud
• Scam Calls or Unwanted Visits
• Door to Door and Courier Fraud
• Fraud Advice and Support (Personal and Business)
• Cyber Crime Advice and Support

Thames Valley Police have created an e-book on staying Safe from Romance Fraud. This practical guide highlights common tactics used in Romance Fraud with learning from Dr Elisabeth Carter, author, criminologist and forensic linguist. This guide can be accessed here.

The Met Police have a number of videos to explain some of the most common scams and give advice on how to avoid falling victim to them. These can be accessed here. All videos include British Sign Language (BSL).

National Trading Standards Friends Against Scams initiative aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to take a stand against scams. Additionally they have a 5 min video on coercive control within fraud and scams.

Crime Stoppers have numerous articles relating to Fraud and Cybercrimes which can be accessed here.

Age UK offer advice for, or families of, older people. If you suspect someone over 60 that you know is being scammed, Age UK offer advice on how to raise and report this. Their website can be accessed here.

Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and transforming responses to it.  A vital part of their work is ensuring that the general public understands what economic abuse is, how to recognise it within the context of domestic violence and how to seek help. SEA’s website can be accessed here.

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cybercrime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their website can be accessed here. Sign up to Action Fraud Alert to receive direct, verified, accurate information about scams and fraud in your area by email, recorded voice and text message.

Local support is available to you through the following organisations:

The Victim Care Hub provides free, confidential support for victims of crime and those impacted by crime who are residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Their aim is to help you cope and recover from the effects of crime, regardless of whether or not you have reported to the police.

The Cyber Bobby Scheme, offered by the Blue Lamp Trust, Scheme provides FREE home visits to vulnerable residents in Hampshire, giving advice and guidance about basic IT security and how to avoid being affected by a cyber crime or a cyber enabled crime. Our Cyber Advisor volunteers are police vetted and trained.  They will cover such things as;

• What is cyber crime?
• Cyber and scam prevention advice
• How to check privacy settings
• Signposting to other advice and resources
• How to report issues
• How to recognise scam emails and text messages

If you’d prefer not to speak to the police or would like more specific advice, the charities, groups and organisations below can also provide information and support.

Action Fraud
Members for the public – 0300 123 2040(Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm)
Businesses, charity or other organisations suffering a live cyber-attack – 0300 123 2040 (Available 24/7)

Action on Elder Abuse (AEA)
AEA are a national charity working to protect and prevent the abuse of vulnerable older adults.
0808 808 8141

Age UK
Provides companionship, advice and support for millions of older adults.
0800 169 6565

Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA)
The largest travel trade association in the UK with over 1,200 members. All ABTA members must follow a strict code of conduct or face a fine or having the membership rescinded.
020 3117 5599

Citizens Advice
Free, independent and confidential advice to help you solve legal, money and other problems.
0808 223 1133
To contact a Welsh-speaking adviser: 0808 223 1144

Cyber Aware
Cyber Aware provides cyber security advice for small business and individuals.

Federation of Small Businesses
The Federation of Small Businesses offers its members a wide range of vital business services, aiming to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Find and choose a financial adviser, or confirm whether your adviser is authorised.
0845 606 1234

Get Safe Online
Get Safe Online is the UK’s most popular source of easy-to-understand information about online safety.

Information Commissioners Office
The role of the Information Commissioners Office is to uphold information rights in the public interest.

National Crime Agency
The National Crime Agency (NCA) leads UK law enforcement’s fight to cut serious and organised crime.

National Cyber Security Centre
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is a part of GCHQ and is the UK’s lead authority on cyber security.

Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)
The OPG is responsible for protecting people who no longer have the capacity to make certain decisions for themselves.
0300 456 0300

Online Dating Association (ODA)
Dating services with ODA membership abide by a strict code of standards or risk having their membership rescinded.
Royal Mail Scam Mail Helpline
Support and advice if you’ve received items by post that you believe to be fraudulent.
0800 011 3466

South East Cyber Resilience Centre (SECRC)
A police-led partnership working with business and academia to improve cyber resilience across the South East. SECRC offers help to businesses of all sizes to better protect themselves in the fight against cybercrime.

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
An independent charity working with adults, families and children’s social care and social work services across the UK to share knowledge about what works.
020 7024 7650

Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR)
A leading, self-regulatory body for the entertainment ticketing industry in the UK, offering advice, information and dispute resolution services.
019 0423 4737

The Mailing Preference Service (MPS)
A free service supported by Royal Mail enabling UK customers to remove their name and home address from mailing lists used by the industry.
020 7291 3300

The Silver Line
Free, 24-hour, confidential helpline providing friendship, information and advice to older people.
0800 470 8090

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
Free service for recording your preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls.
0800 398 893