New Centre for Victims of Fraud

5 April 2010, 06:00

There's now a new centre where victims of fraud in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire can report to and get more help.

Action Fraud is a national centre set up by the National Fraud Authority and provides a single point of contact for reporting and advice.

Victims come in many shapes and sizes - including businesses as well as individuals - no matter who you are, if you’ve been a victim of fraud in the last 12 months more help is out there.

Whether you have been a victim of identity theft, investment, credit card or consumer fraud Action Fraud is able to offer support, information and guidance to anyone who feels they have been a victim.

At the same time it gives law enforcement and counter-fraud agencies better information to better target fraudsters, better protect the public and bring criminals to justice, by providing vital information to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.

This collaboration between police forces, the NFIB and Action Fraud will help tighten the net on fraudsters.

Dr Bernard Herdan is the Chief executive of the NFA and has been telling Heart:

"Action Fraud is at the heart of our strategy to make the UK a more hostile environment for fraud. Victims of fraud often don't want to talk about it because they feel embarrassed. They not only suffer a financial loss but a loss of self esteem because they blame themselves for being taken in. But the best way to fight fraud and fraudsters is to get people talking about it and reporting it to Action Fraud."

Hertfordshire Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Steven Devine says:

"Action Fraud will support victims, help prevent fraud and better enable Hertfordshire constabulary to investigate crime by giving us access to national intelligence.

"Fraudsters can target people in Hertfordshire regardless of who they are and where they are based, so by providing a national reporting centre, we will be in a much stronger position to tackle fraud locally."

If you have been a victim of fraud and want more advice and information you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or go to www.actionfraud.org.uk to fill in a web-based form.