Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what agency will take responsibility for the cases open by Action Fraud as at 21 September 2021.

Victims will continue to be able to report frauds centrally to allow us to best tackle the frauds that affect millions of people across the country. The Home Office is working with the City of London Police (CoLP) on plans to replace the current Action Fraud service. The new service will improve the service to victims, provide greater intelligence and insight to policing on fraud and cybercrime affecting communities, and allow for greater prevention and disruption at scale. Home Office officials are engaging a wide range of partners ahead of publication of a Fraud Action Plan after the Spending Review is finished.

In the meantime, we continue to work closely with the City of London Police, who manage the service, and a number of improvements to the existing system have been put in place over the last year to ensure a smooth transition to the new service.

Reports submitted to Action Fraud are considered by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). Where enough evidence is available and viable leads are identified, the case is sent to the appropriate local police force to consider whether enforcement activity should take place. Reports not deemed viable for investigation by local police forces are not closed but remain under constant consideration for links to newly reported crimes. The intelligence is also used to identify opportunities to disrupt offenders, protect victims, and prevent further frauds.

It is important that victims of fraud receive the support that they are entitled to. The Action Fraud Economic Crime Victim Care Unit delivers services to vulnerable victims of fraud and cyber crime to help them recover and prevent them from becoming victims in the future. Including those whose cases are not disseminated for investigation. Action Fraud also provides protective advice to individuals who contact the service. Further advice is currently available online at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.