Two Hampshire MPs have held a fraud and scams forum with a panel of experts to help and advise residents on how not to become a victim of criminals.
Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond and East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds were at Clanfield Memorial Hall for the event earlier this month
Experts on the panel included cybercrime specialists and banks. Local people heard that 52% of national crime is fraud but it is believed 90% of frauds and scams go unreported.
They were encouraged to report offences as it is vital to help the police to build profiles and tackle the individuals behind the crimes.
The good news was fraud is reducing because of the huge amount of work banks and the police put into deterring criminals – many of them international.
Tips from the event were if you find someone is using your credit or debit card fraudulently, as well reporting to your bank, report to Action Fraud as it works to see if they can connect transactions.
Other included: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you are being put under pressure to make a decision, it is likely a scam. Banks will never call you and ask for your PIN or about closing and transferring your money to another account.
There is also a generic number 159 that will put you through to nearly all banks to check with them and report anything suspicious.
“Thank you to all the experts who took the time to join myself and Damian at the event,” said Flick.
“It is important we can inform and reassure people about how they can stop becoming victims of fraud and the handy tips were a big help as well as the 159 number that I always publicise because it is such an easy way to get hold of a back and to remember.
“Online scams remain a challenge and criminals continue to adapt. But it was reassuring to hear these types of offences are going down thanks to the work of the banks, police and experts.”
Damian said: “There is evidence that the fight back against the fraudsters is working - the most recent crime survey shows another decrease in fraud year on year. But this is still a high-volume crime and there is more to do. Law enforcement, industry and the banks are taking steps to protect us from fraudsters, and the Stop! Think Fraud campaign is a timely reminder of the steps we can all take to stay safe online.
“I'm grateful to Flick Drummond for organising the community fraud and scams event, to all who presented, and all who came."
