Fraud and Cybercrime
What is Cyber crime?
The term “cyber crime” refers to a wider variety of crimes carried out online, cyber crime is criminal activity that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network or a networked device. Cyber criminals seek to exploit any vulnerabilities in your online security, in order to steal passwords, personal information or money.
Most, but not all cyber crime is committed by cyber criminals or hackers who want to make money. Cyber crime can be carried out by individuals or organisations, many using advanced and sophisticated techniques, whilst others are novice hackers.
Rarely, cyber crime will aim to damage computers or devices for reasons other than profit, either way, cyber attacks are financially devastating, disrupting and upsetting to people and businesses.
If you are a victim of online crime and you need advice or information, regardless of whether the incident has been reported to the police, please get in touch (source: Staffordshire Police NCA).
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What is Fraud?
Fraud is one of the most common experienced crime in the UK (NCA). Where fraud may have traditionally been committed over the phone, by post or in person, it is increasingly being committed online, exploiting victims remotely in many different ways, and often from another country.
The word ‘Fraud’ is a broad terms covering many different criminal acts that dishonestly defraud or scam another person. It is defined as a criminal deception committed by a person who acts in a false and deceitful way and can be committed in several different forms.
There are many words used to describe fraud: scam, con, swindle, extortion, sham, double-cross, hoax, cheat, ploy, ruse, hoodwink, confidence trick and many ways in which criminals trick people, including Romance Fraud, cyber fraud and pension fraud.
Contacting Us
If you report a crime to Staffordshire Police, they will ask you if you are happy for your details to be passed on to the Staffordshire Victim Gateway and Restorative Justice Service. We will automatically receive your contact information and a brief overview of your experience and the crime, if you don’t specify to Staffordshire Police that you don’t want us to make contact with you. If you initially opted out of the service, you can self-refer at any time.
We can provide you with advice, information & emotional and practical support. We can liaise and advocate on your behalf, and introduce and support you to specialist services, who can help you gain the relevant support that can help in your recovery. We will be with you every step of the way. Our support is free and confidential, regardless of whether you have reported a crime or incident to the police, we are here to support you.
Crime Prevention Information
Additionally, it may also be useful for you to have advice on crime prevention that may help you to protect yourself in the future. You can find lots of useful information on local crime prevention by clicking here:
https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/