Spring Has Sprung! #FraudFree2026

Spring Has Sprung! #FraudFree2026

Good afternoon,

It’s officially spring! Easter bank holidays are on their way…thoughts often turn to sorting out the garden or a spot of DIY.

If your home/garden needs maintaining – please find a reputable tradesperson to do that work for you. How? Ideally, obtain details of a reputable trader by way of a personal recommendation from trusted friends and family. Alternatively, “Buy With Confidence” by search for a Trading Standards approved business: https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

Other tips to stay safe and prevent you losing money in rogue trader fraud/doorstep crime:

If someone is coming round to measure up or give you a quote – ask a friend/family to be there with you.

Do you have CCTV or a doorbell camera? If not, the Blue Lamp Trust might be able to help to keep your “Home Safe”: https://www.bluelamptrust.org.uk/safe-home/

Use a credit card for any spending between £100 and £30,000 as you have rights if things go wrong.

Do not pay cash. Do not go to the cashpoint, or allow yourself to be taken to the cashpoint to pay cash - your bank won’t be able to reimburse cash withdrawals.

Thinking of paying by cheque – think again - cheques have your sort code, account number and signature – that information can be sold/shared with other criminals to defraud you in future in many other ways. If you are determined to pay by cheque, remember cheques now clear within one working day through an online bank account, and the physical cheque does not get paid into the bank. Do not believe any stories about the bank not accepting the cheque and having your cheque waved in front of you as proof – it proves nothing.

If you are trying to pay by bank transfer – please heed the bank’s warnings – if they advise you NOT to transfer the money – please listen to them. If you are worried – phone 159 and speak to your bank before completing the transfer. If you are in branch, please be honest about what you need the money for, please listen to, and follow, the bank’s advice if they are concerned about where your money is going.

If you’ve paid someone and then get that sinking feeling – tell your bank immediately, ask them to get your money back, ask them to help you prevent further fraud on your bank account.

Obviously, there are very many genuine traders out there who do a fantastic job – tell your friends and family about them, and/or leave them glowing reviews.

If you’ve engaged the services of a genuine trader and things go wrong – that doesn’t automatically make it a criminal offence, find your local Trading Standards office: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-trading-standards-office and for advice about consumer rights, see: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/ However, you may be able to make a court claim for money lost due to a breach of contract https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money

Please do share this important warning 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

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Fraud Safeguarding Team
(Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Fraud Safeguarding Officers, Hampshire and Isle of Wight)