National campaign focuses on fraud and how to spot it

Wirral Council is highlighting some of the most common ways in which fraud is committed in the UK and looking to raise awareness among residents of how they can identify it and protect themselves and local services from falling victim to fraud.

The campaign is part of this year’s Fraud Awareness Week, which runs from November 18th until 24th.

And by highlighting that local government itself in this country loses more than £2.2 billion every year through fraud, the council is hoping to make residents realise that it is not a victimless crime – every penny taken from local coffers dishonestly is a penny that can’t be spent on local services.

Fraud is a criminal act where a person, business or organisation is deceived by someone for their personal gain or to cause the victim a loss.

It is most often identified due to the suspicious or odd behaviour of those committing fraud, particularly if their lifestyle suddenly changes.

Under the Fraud Act 2006, the three main ways in which fraud is committed in this country is through:-

• False representation: For example, using a stolen credit or debit card to buy something for yourself
• Failure to disclose information: For example, failing to disclose genuine circumstances when making a claim
• Abuse of position: For example, a carer using the bank account of the person they are caring for to pay for things for themselves

Fraud costs local government more than £2.2 billion a year and commonly is committed by:-

• False claims for council tax discount, benefits, credits or grants
• False accident/liability claims
• Misuse of grant or social care payments
• Misuse of Blue Badges

It is clear, then, that everyone has a role to play to help prevent fraud as even if we don’t feel personally impacted by it, indirectly we are through having to pay more for services or having reduced access to them.

If you suspect fraud is being committed, there are a number of ways to report it. Call 0800 731 5783, free and anonymously or text 07941 163806. Or it be reported locally online at wirral.gov.uk/fraud.

If you think you might have been a victim of fraud, there is an emergency number – 159 - to call to report and check financial scams as they happen.

If you receive a call or message from somebody claiming to be from a trusted organisation such as a bank suggesting money should be transferred, hang up and call 159.

By calling 159, you will be automatically connected to your bank’s fraud prevention services. 

The hotline is being supported by Stop Scams UK - a coalition of banking and technology companies.

For more information on 159 hotline, visit Stop Scams UK.