Good afternoon,

Colleagues at Action Fraud have launched their annual campaign to help us all have a Fraud Free Christmas this year.  They say, “Criminals don’t stop for Christmas and will continue to operate, targeting busy people who are preparing for the festive season.”

Hampshire & IOW Constabulary receive an average of 200 reports a week with a total weekly monetary loss averaging £2.5 million.   We know that's the tip of the iceberg as a lot of fraud goes unreported.   

As a result, we're supporting Action Fraud's campaign, details of which can be found here: Make sure you have a #FraudFreeXmas: Action Fraud reveal 12 fraud types to look out for this Christmas | Action Fraud or https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/12frauds 

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential support: Home - Hampshire Victim Care Hub (hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk) or phone 0808 178 1641

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) or phone 0800 555 111

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

If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Action Fraud either phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: Action Fraud

If a 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 online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: Report a crime | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team