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If the fraud involves credit or debit cards, online banking or cheques, you should report it to the financial institution concerned. They will then be responsible for undertaking further investigation and, as appropriate, reporting cases of criminal activity directly to the police.
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If the fraud has not involved credit or debit cards, online banking or cheques then you should report the matter to the relevant organisation in the first instance, and, dependent on their advice, then to your local police station.
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If you are a victim of online banking fraud you have protection through legislation, which states that you will not be liable for any losses unless you have acted fraudulently or without reasonable care.
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Where an additional crime has been committed with the fraud, for example, you have had your wallet or purse stolen or the card used fraudulently was taken as a result of a burglary, then this should still be reported to the police.
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Ensure you keep a record of all communications.
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Get a copy of your personal credit report from one of the credit reference agencies - Experian, Equifax and Call Credit. A paper version of your report is available from £2. If applications for credit have been made in your name you can ask to have any incorrect information removed.
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Consider contacting CIFAS – the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, to apply for protective registration. Once you have registered, CIFAS members will carry out extra checks whenever anyone applies for a financial service using your address. CIFAS can be contacted at
www.cifas.org.uk.
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If you suspect mail theft contact the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Number on 08457 740740 or visit www.royalmail.com
