Fraud is the most common crime type in England and Wales, estimated to be 41% of all crime (National Crime Agency 2025). This webpage has been created to inform and raise awareness of support available towards business fraud prevention efforts and to keep your business safe from such crime.
Below is a list of resources and guidance you can access to prevent your business from falling victim to business fraud.
Resources on this page
- 4 Step Guide to Business Fraud Prevention
- North East Regional Economic Crime Coordination Centre (RECCC)
- Useful Documents
- The National Cyber Security Centre
4 Step Guide to Business Fraud Prevention
1. IDENTIFY THE SCAM
If you are a victim of a scam, there are organisations you should report the scam to. Reporting a scam helps track down and stop scammers.
Common scams include:
- Business rates scams
- Energy broker scams
- Financial scams
2. SCAM PREVENTION
- Consult a solicitor before proceeding with any contracts
- Gather all the details of the scam
- Report the scam to Citizens Advice, Action Fraud and other organisations
- Check if fees are typically charged for the service provided
- DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH COLD CALLERS
3. GATHER ALL THE DETAILS
Write down the details of the scam. This will help you remember all the important information when you report it.
Make sure to include:
- Who you’ve been in contact with – write down names, numbers and addresses if you have them
- Why you’re suspicious
- What information you’ve shared – for example, passwords, PINs, or bank details
- Whether you’ve paid any money
- How you’ve paid – for example, credit card or bank transfer
4. REPORT THE SCAM
You can report a scam by:
- Using Citizens Advice online form
- Contacting Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Lines are closed on bank holidays.
- Report to Action Fraud
North East RECCC
North East RECCC are a regional police team made up of officers and staff from police forces in the North-East, and are part of the National Fraud Protect Network, led by City of London Police. Their job is to develop and deliver ways to empower individuals and organisations into being more resilient against fraud and economic crime.
They offer varying levels of support including CPD around Fraud Awareness and Financial Wellbeing and will deliver content according to the needs of the organisation and the individuals that make up the organisation.
North East RECCC SCAM awareness advice:
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- STOP – stop and think about it for 5-minutes – if you don’t know them personally then stop any communication
- CONSULT – check out any personal and company details they have given you – use Companies House; Citizens Advice; Trading Standards; Serious Fraud Office website
- ASSESS – using your own experiences and knowledge combined with what others have told you, make an informed decision – if in any doubt treat it as a scam
- MANAGE – by reporting fraud and scams to Action Fraud
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National Cyber Security Centre – Cyber Security Guide for Small Businesses
The National Cyber Security Centre has developed a small business guide to help you improve your business’s cyber security along with a list of summarised actions businesses can take to become more cyber resilient. The PDFs are free to download below:
NCSC Small Business Guide
NCSC Small Business Guide Actions
Please note, if you wish to report phishing emails, forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk.
To report phishing texts, forward them to 7726.
