Policy article
Home Secretary: End the Online Fraud Epidemic Now
Fraud is the most prevalent crime in the UK, with the vast majority occurring online. This is exacerbated by the government's failure to hold big tech to account and fragmented responsibility across departments. Immediate action is necessary.
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£1.17B Total fraud losses in 2024 | £2,000 a minute stolen by scammers under the government’s watch (Source: UK Finance) | 41% of all crime (Source: CSEW) |
Despite endless commitments to bring fraudsters to justice, the government has so far failed to get a grip on this issue.
The Home Office is currently finalising its next Fraud Strategy. This will set out how it intends to reduce fraud over the next three years. This opportunity can’t be wasted: the government must take the following steps to ensure consumers are properly protected:
- No more delays on the Online Safety Act: Make Big Tech accountable for combating online fraud by ensuring the Online Safety Act's protections against scam ads are introduced without further delay.
- Force Big Tech to share its intelligence to detect fraud and stop fraudsters from exploiting gaps in the system.
- Tackle online scam advertising: Commit to introducing new laws to tackle scam advertising not covered by the Online Safety Act to stop fake pop-ups and bogus scam ads on huge everyday websites.
The government must deliver an ambitious Fraud Strategy that puts consumers, not industry, first.
Will you stand with victims?
Find out more below on how we intend to tackle this fraud epidemic.
Which? Fraud Strategy