It’s horrible being scammed. You might feel angry, frustrated or embarrassed. But what you shouldn’t feel is alone or helpless.
Fraud is the most common crime in England and Wales. There were 3.7 million incidents reported in 2022, according to the National Crime Agency, and with an estimated 86% of cases going unreported, these figures are just the tip of the iceberg.
Fraudsters strike lucky when their targets are at their most vulnerable. But that doesn’t mean victims are necessarily vulnerable people or ‘easy prey’. We all live busy lives and are more susceptible when we are on the go or our minds are elsewhere. Money worries, or the desire to bag a ‘must-have’ item at a bargain price, can also make us easier targets.
