Fraud
What is Fraud?
Fraud is one of the most common experienced crime in the UK (NCA). Where fraud may have traditionally been committed over the phone, by post or in person, it is increasingly being committed online, exploiting victims remotely in many different ways, and often from another country.
The word ‘Fraud’ is a broad terms covering many different criminal acts that dishonestly defraud or scam another person. It is defined as a criminal deception committed by a person who acts in a false and deceitful way and can be committed in several different forms.
There are many words used to describe fraud: scam, con, swindle, extortion, sham, double-cross, hoax, cheat, ploy, ruse, hoodwink, confidence trick and many ways in which criminals trick people, including Romance Fraud, cyber fraud and pension fraud.

For more information, download our PDF Factsheet
Useful Links:
If you report a crime to Staffordshire Police, they will ask you if you are happy for your details to be passed on to the Staffordshire Victim Gateway and Restorative Justice Service. We will automatically receive your contact information and a brief overview of your experience and the crime, if you don’t specify to Staffordshire Police that you don’t want us to make contact with you. If you initially opted out of the service, you can self-refer at any time.
We can provide you with advice, information & emotional and practical support. We can liaise and advocate on your behalf, and introduce and support you to specialist services, who can help you gain the relevant support that can help in your recovery. We will be with you every step of the way. Our support is free and confidential, regardless of whether you have reported a crime or incident to the police, we are here to support you.
Please call us on the number below. You can also email us or click the ‘Contact Us’ button to self-refer:
Crime Prevention Information
Additionally, it may also be useful for you to have advice on crime prevention that may help you to protect yourself in the future. You can find lots of useful information on local crime prevention by clicking here: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

Action Fraud
National fraud and cyber crime reporting centre in the UK. Click here for more information
Staffordshire Police
To report Fraud – Click on the Link
National Crime Agency
Government / national service ti fight and cut crime
Is it an emergency?
If you are in immediate danger and support is needed right away, call Staffordshire Police on 999. If you feel it is a non-emergency, you can log incidents that have happened by calling Staffordshire Police on 101. if you have a hearing impairment, you can use their textphone service on 18001 101
7 in 10 people who use our Victim Gateway service are happy with the outcome.

