Advice and Contacts should you become a victim of Fraud
This advice was taken from the Financial Fraud Action UK "Don't Reward Fraud" document (PDF 1.7mb)
Steps to take if you find you have become a victim of fraud:
- If the fraud involves credit or debit cards, online banking or cheques, you should report it to the financial institution concerned. They will then be responsible for undertaking further investigation and, as appropriate, reporting cases of criminal activity directly to the police.
- Any fraud that doesn't involve your bank or card company should be reported to the business or organisation concerned in the first instance, and, dependent on their advice, then to your local police station.
- Where an additional crime has been committed with the fraud, for example, you have had your wallet or purse stolen or the card used fraudulently was taken as a result of a burglary, then this should still be reported to the police.
- Ensure you keep a record of all communications.
- Get a copy of your personal credit report from one of the credit reference agencies – Experian, Equifax and Call Credit. A paper version of your report is available from £2. If applications for
credit have been made in your name you can ask to have any incorrect information removed.
- Consider contacting CIFAS – the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, to apply for protective registration. Once you have registered, CIFAS members will carry out extra checks whenever anyone
applies for a financial service using your address. CIFAS can be contacted at www.cifas.org.uk
- If you suspect mail theft, contact the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Number on 08457 740740 or visit www.royalmail.com
- If you are a victim of card fraud or online banking fraud you have
protection through legislation, which states that you will not be liable for any losses unless you have acted fraudulently or without reasonable care.
Useful Contacts
- www.banksafeonline.org.uk Assistance for internet users to help them protect themselves from online scams and threats such as phishing.
- www.becardsmart.org.uk Simple advice for consumers on the steps they can take to shop safely over the internet.
- www.callcredit.co.uk A credit reference agency with information services for businesses and individuals.
- www.chequeandcredit.co.uk The Cheque and Credit Clearing Company manages the cheque clearing system in Great Britain. This site includes information about the cheque clearing cycle and the history of the cheque.
- www.cifas.org.uk The UK’s fraud prevention service, which enables its members to share information on fraudulent activity to help identify and prevent fraud taking place, including on card accounts.
- www.consumerdirect.gov.uk Clear and practical help and advice for consumers in Great Britain.
- www.equifax.co.uk A credit reference agency that provides information to businesses, consumers and the public sector.
- www.experian.co.uk A credit reference agency that helps consumers, businesses and the public sector obtain and manage their credit information.
- www.financialfraudaction.org.uk Information about how payment industry fraud takes place in the UK, what is being done to prevent it and how you can help prevent yourself from becoming a victim.
- www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk An independent service for resolving disputes between consumers and financial firms.
- www.getsafeonline.org A Government and leading business sponsored site that provides advice on how to protect your computer and use the internet with safety.
- www.identitytheft.org.uk How to help protect yourself from identity
theft, what to do if it happens to you and suggestions on where to get further help.
- www.theukcardsassociation.org.uk The leading trade association representing the cards industry in the UK; working to advance non-competitive aspects of card payments, including fraud prevention.
Disclaimer
Please note that by accessing the link above you will be leaving the West Yorkshire Police website. We are not responsible for the quality, accuracy or content of external websites.