If you receive a request to provide personal or financial information, you need to take a moment to reflect and step back from the situation. 

Even if they say they're the bank or other trusted organisation, you still need to take the time to stop and think about what's really going on. Deep down, you probably already know these basic rules on how to beat financial fraud - you just need to take a breath and stay calm enough to remember them. 


1. Requests to move money: 

A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by. 

2. Clicking on links/files: 

Don't be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. 

3. Personal information: 

Always question uninvited approaches in case it's fraudulent. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number. 

4. Don't assume an email or phone call is authentic: 

Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother's maiden name), it doesn't mean they are genuine. Be mindful of who you trust - criminals may try and trick you into their confidence by telling you that you've been a victim of fraud. Criminals often use this to draw you into the conversation, to scare you into acting and revealing security details. Remember, criminals can also make any telephone number appear on your phone handset so even if you recognise it or it seems authentic, do not use it as verification they are genuine. 

5. Don't be rushed or pressured into making a decision: 

Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot; they would never ask you to transfer money into another account for fraud reasons. Remember to stop and take time to carefully consider your actions. A genuine bank or some other trusted organisation won't rush you or mind waiting if you want time to think. 

6. Listen to your instincts: 

If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. Criminals may lull you into a false sense of security when you are out and about or rely on your defences being down when you're in the comfort of your own home. They may appear trustworthy, but they may not be who they claim to be. 

7. Stay in control: 

Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information. It's easy to feel embarrassed when faced with unexpected or complex conversations. But it's okay to stop the discussion if you do not feel in control of it. 

If you've taken all these steps and still feel uncomfortable or unsure about what you're being asked, never hesitate to contact your bank or financial service provider on a number you trust, such as the one listed on their website or on the back of your payment card. 

Report fraud 

The first thing you should do if you've been a victim of fraud is to contact Action Fraud. You can report a fraud via their online fraud reporting tool, or by calling Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. 

If there is a crime being committed right now or if you are in danger you should call the police on 999. 

Cyber bullying and online harassment can be extremely distressing. It can be classed as a criminal offence but there is lots of help available to support you. 

Tips to stay safe online 

Think before you post - when posting or commenting on the internet, consider what you say and what effect this may have. Never post comments that are abusive or may cause distress to others. 

Keep personal information personal - avoid saying things or publishing pictures that might later cause you or someone else embarrassment. Be aware of what friends post about you, or how they reply to your posts, particularly about your personal details and activities. 

Make the most of privacy settings - keep your profiles closed, allowing access only to your chosen friends and family. 

Report cyberbullying to internet service providers - lots of content on social media that is offensive or upsetting is not necessarily a criminal offence. However, cyberbullying often violates the terms and conditions established by social media sites and internet service providers. Report cyberbullying to the social media site so they can take action against users abusing the terms of service. 

Social media help sections can show you how to block users and change settings to control who can contact you. You can get advice and support on using the following social media sites, including the ability to report content to them. 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/help/ 


Twitter - https://support.twitter.com/ 


Instagram - https://help.instagram.com/ 


LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin 


Google+ - https://support.google.com/plus#topic=6320382 


YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yt/policyandsafety/en-GB/reporting.html 


Pintrest - https://help.pinterest.com/en 


Tumblr - https://www.tumblr.com/abuse 


Snapchat - https://support.snapchat.com/en-GB 


If you believe that you are the victim of an offence, always keep a record of the content by taking a screenshot, for example. If you are worried that your child or a loved one might be the victim of cyberbullying here are some signs to look out for: 

Low self-esteem 


Withdrawal from family and spending a lot of time alone 


Reluctance to let parents or other family members anywhere near their mobiles, laptops etc 


Finding excuses to stay away from school or work 


For further signs and advice visit bullying.co.uk 

Please do not report crime or other incidents via Twitter or other forms of Social Media ? Please call 101 or 999 in an emergency. Additional information is often required by officers in order for the police to act upon any information given. 

Please view the advice below on which number you should ring. 

999 is for reporting emergency situations only; below is a helpful mnemonic to remember when to use it. 

P - Phone 999 only if 
O - Offenders are nearby 
L - Life is at risk 
I - Injury is caused or threatened 
C - Crime or disorder is in progress 
E - Emergency situations 

What is 101? 

101 is now the number to call when you want to get through to your local police when it is less urgent than 999. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls to 101 from land lines and mobile networks cost 15 pence per call, no matter what time of day you call or how long you are on the phone. 

When should I use 101? 

If you have had a minor traffic collision. 
If your property has been damaged. 
If your car has been stolen. 
If you suspect drug dealing. 
If you have been burgled and there are no offenders on scene. 
If you have witnessed a crime. 
If you have information about criminals in your local area. 
If you have seen a missing person. 
If you need crime prevention advice. 
If you want to speak to a local police officer/ your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. 
If you want to speak to the police about any other incident that doesn't require an immediate response. 
If you want to make us aware of any policing issues in your local area. 


What happens when you call 101? 

When you call 101, you will be greeted by an automated system that will automatically identify your location and offer you the option of being connected to your local police force. 

If you would like a different force you will be given the option to speak to an operator to select your chosen area. Your call will be answered by police contact handlers in the control room of that local police force. 

If you are anywhere in the UK you can still dial 101 and you will be given the option of speaking to police contact handlers within West Mercia. If your selection is not correct, you will be given the option to speak to an operator. 

There a number of ways in which you can help improve the security of your home and property. You may wish to consider purchasing a CCTV system. CCTV can help deter, detect and identify criminals. 

CCTV can be an effective tool. It can discourage anti-social behaviour and reduce crime because offenders do not want to be caught on camera. 

The first thing you need to consider is if you really do need CCTV. In the first instance you may wish to consider looking at other, less costly ways to improve the security of your home before considering purchasing a good quality CCTV system. 

If you own the property then it is perfectly legal to install CCTV to protect your property against intruders and trespassers. However, you cannot put cameras up on other peoples property without their consent. 

Whilst it is lawful for you to monitor your own property for security purposes, you should however make sure that your field of view does not extend beyond your boundaries or focused on adjacent private areas. 

For more information visit the Information Commissioner?s Office (ICO) website: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/cctv-on-your-property/ for their CCTV codes of practice document. You can also phone the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113, the helpline is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.