Struggling with your finances? Stop! Think Fraud #FraudFree2026

Struggling with your finances? Stop! Think Fraud #FraudFree2026

Good afternoon,

If you or someone you know is struggling with their finances, or in debt, you/they might start searching the internet for advice.  But regular readers know that it’s estimated 82% of fraud originates online.  

We regularly receive reports from victims of fraud who are in a debt spiral because they searched online for help and engaged with someone impersonating a financial/debt adviser.  The genuine MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis has produced this very useful guide for anyone struggling to make ends meet and tips on avoiding the debt spiral: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan/

PS: If you’re a victim of fraud, please speak to your bank/building society/credit card company in the first instance and ask them to reimburse your losses.  If they refuse, appeal that decision.  Still no luck? Complain to the Financial Ombudsman: Financial Ombudsman Service: Our homepage – Financial Ombudsman service

(Image courtesy of: MoneySavingExpert website link as above)

Please do share this important update with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for their own Hampshire Alert: https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/ 

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been defrauded and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Report Fraud either by phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/ 

However, if a fraud or other crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report non-fraud crime online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential, support:  https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/  or phone 0808 178 1641

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726 or your phone provider.

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team