January 2026

For the information of everyone to enable them to protect themselves, their families and the Council against the most current threats from fraud and cybercrime. Please feel free to distribute these messages to anyone you feel may benefit from them.
While a lot of fraud is now happening online as it is easier, cheaper, you can reach a lot of people quickly, and there is less chance of getting caught, please remember that fraud can happen in person, right on your doorstep. Treat unsolicited callers to your door in the same way I hope you are treating unsolicited telephone calls: a quick ‘no thank you’ and shut the door.

Report Fraud

From 5 December 2025, Action Fraud, once the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime has been replaced with a system that is aimed at making it easier to report fraud and to assist police intervention. The new system is called Report Fraud, still run by the City of London Police, is also claiming to be a significant step towards modernising the UK’s approach to fraud reporting and a decent response to the problem.

Just like Action Fraud, Report Fraud does not investigate cases, reports are passed to their analysis services who provide information to the police for action. They cannot advise you on the progress of a case or whether the police are investigating.

You can find out more about it on the Report Fraud website.

You can report fraud or cybercrime using their online form.

You can call them on 0300 123 2040 (the same number Action fraud used) or you can request assistance in making a report via Victim Support.

NHS cold calls

Fraudsters are cold calling people, claiming to be from the NHS, and trying to get you to provide personal data. They are using automated messages to pretend to be a nurse or doctor, asking you to update your GP record or be removed from the surgery.

If you respond, you may be asked for your personal data such as names, addresses, and NHS number. The NHS will never threaten to remove you from a patient list over the phone and will never ask you for financial information.

Which? is also warning that this information is not harmless and could be used to spear-phish you. This is when they design messages to directly target individuals, using the personal information they have gathered to make them more convincing.

You can read more about this on the Which? website.

Which? have also started a campaign calling on the Government to do more to protect the public from scams. You can read more about it, and their petition, on their Stamp Out Scams webpage.

Parking ticket scams

These not going away. In fact, they are getting better and more convincing. The most recent provide an email and a website that is identical to .GOV messages.

Please remember that you can only be served a Penalty Charge Notice (parking ticket) by having it placed on your windscreen or by letter to the registered keeper of the vehicle. Councils are responsible for parking enforcement, and these are the people who will be writing to you. They will never contact you by phone, text, or email. Also remember that emails and phone numbers can be spoofed to look legitimate; do not trust caller IDs.

Predictions for this year

Which? have produced a prediction of the scams they think will be big in 2026, some of which are already big business:

• Fraudulent recruitment scams
• The use of AI influencers
• Spear-phishing
• Number spoofing and voice cloning
• Age verification scams

You can read why they think this on the Which? website.

Of course, this does not mean that any of the other types of scams are going away, or that new types of scams will be created; they certainly will. Fraud in all forms is still rising across the UK and accounts for 44% of all crime, with scams resulting in an average loss of £900 per victim. Please be vigilant.

Gift card scams

BBC News has recently reported that gift card fraud is on the rise. This seems to come in several types:

• Fake online stores selling fake gift cards.
• Criminals tampering with in-store gift cards to drain them before they’re sold. When you try to use it, the money’s already been spent. This could be done by replacing a genuine card with a fake one.
• Criminals asking people to pay for a service or goods with gift cards. These are difficult to trace but easy to sell and they make a useful money laundering tool.

To protect yourself:

• Check websites carefully before you buy them; does the web address look right? Is it a copycat of a genuine site? If it’s someone you haven’t bought from before, search in your browser for reviews.
• Check physical in-store cards for signs of tampering before you buy
• No genuine organisation will ask you to pay with gift cards. Stop and think; this is almost certainly a scam

You can read the full report on the BBC News website.

If you suspect someone is trying to defraud the Council call the Counter Fraud and
Investigation Team on 01702 215254 or email us at counterfraud@southend.gov.uk.

If you or someone you know is vulnerable and has been a victim of fraud, please call
Essex Police on 101.

Report fraud or attempted fraud by contacting Report Fraud at www.reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.