Report

A better response for fraud victims

This report from UK think tank RUSI assesses the UK’s changing fraud victim support system following the launch of Report Fraud.

Fraud is now the most widespread crime in England and Wales, and this paper shows why a strong Fraud Victims Charter is essential to reduce harm, restore confidence and protect people from repeat victimisation.

Drawing on a cross-sector roundtable, the paper assesses the UK’s changing fraud victim support system following the launch of Report Fraud. It finds that, despite progress in reporting and acute support, victims can still face inconsistent care, repeated referrals instead of active handovers, unclear accountability and limited help with longer-term recovery. The paper argues that the proposed 2027 Fraud Victims Charter should establish a coordinated, victim-centred framework across the anti-fraud ecosystem.

Key Recommendations

Set a national baseline for fraud victim care, including clear information about available care, and expectations and guidance for ‘first responders’.

Replace passive signposting with active handovers so that organisations retain accountability and victims do not have to navigate complex systems alone.

Create consistent cross-sector standards and definitions for victim care, vulnerability and safeguarding, using non-stigmatising language.

Improve proportionate information sharing between policing, financial services, technology, telecommunications, health, social care and specialist support providers.

Provide tailored, tiered support which distinguishes between victimisations, such as high-risk cases, long-term recovery and repeat victimisation while considering the victims’ preferred ways of receiving help.

Address repeat victimisation through trusted, community-based support.

Build accountability and learning into the Charter, including relevant useful approaches from other sectors, and meaningful responsibilities for technology and telecommunications providers.

Use digital tools and AI carefully, expanding access and triage while maintaining human oversight, accessibility, data protection and direct professional support for complex cases.