Fraud remains the most pervasive crime in the UK, constituting nearly 40% of all reported crimes in England and Wales. As part of its commitment to tackle this pressing issue, the Government is launching a comprehensive awareness campaign aimed at empowering people to recognise and prevent fraud.

Mark Shelford, Police and Crime Commissioner and National APCC Economic and Cybercrime lead, emphasised the significance of the campaign in empowering individuals to combat fraud:

"The 'Stop! Think Fraud' campaign serves as a vital tool in equipping people with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves against fraudulent activities.

"By shopping securely online and being vigilant against deceptive offers, we can reclaim control from online criminals and safeguard our communities."

In collaboration with the Home Office, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), City of London Police (CoLP), National Crime Agency (NCA), and various partners, the new national campaign aims to raise awareness to support individuals to protect themselves against fraud.  

Campaign messages underscore the importance of stopping, thinking, and checking before responding to potential fraud, spotting common tactics used by fraudsters and taking swift action if they suspect fraudulent activity.

If you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately on a number you know to be correct such as the one listed on their website or on the back of your debit or credit card. You can then report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

For more information visit the campaign hub at www.gov.uk/stopthinkfraud.