The NI Fraud Forum is a collaboration between professional advisors, industry members and governmental agencies. The objective of the NI Fraud Forum is simple:
- to promote fraud awareness,
- to allow members to understand how best to mitigate against the risks involved; and,
- to increase knowledge of how to respond effectively to fraud.
If you would like to learn more on how to become a member then please go to our membership section.
Avoid Holiday Scams: Stay Safe This Christmas!
The holiday season is a time for joy, generosity, and connection – but it’s also a prime opportunity for fraudsters. As you shop for gifts, donate to charities, and plan festive activities, staying vigilant can help protect your hard-earned money and personal information.
Here are key tips to avoid scams this Christmas:
- Shop Smart Online
Stick to reputable websites and avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails or ads. Check website URLs carefully—fraudsters often create fake sites with similar names to trusted brands. Look for “https://” and a padlock symbol in the address bar for secure transactions. - Beware of Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals
Scammers lure victims with deals that seem irresistible. If an offer seems unrealistically cheap, it’s likely a trap. Research sellers thoroughly, especially on marketplaces or social media. - Verify Charities
The season of giving inspires generosity, but fake charities are common. Check you are actually donating to the registered charity not to a scammer. If you want to donate, it’s best to avoid donating through social media – go to the charity’s web site. Avoid sharing personal or financial details over the phone or via unsolicited emails. - Protect Your Accounts
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your accounts, use strong passwords, and monitor your bank statements for unusual activity.
And if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and given away any of your personal financial information, call your bank straight away.
This Christmas, enjoy peace of mind by staying cautious and informed. Protect yourself and spread awareness to help others stay scam-free!
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), in partnership with Cifas, have released the 2024 State of Scams in the United Kingdom report. The report can be found at:
NI Fraud Forum Conference - Thursday 21st November 2024
Minister for Justice Naomi Long MLA - Keynote Speaker - NI Fraud Forum Conference 2024
Minister of Justice, Naomi Long MLA said:
“Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, members of the public continue to be tricked by so-called scammers. PSNI figures show that in the 2023/24 financial year there were 3,815 reports made to Action Fraud about fraud in NI. This resulted in £16 million worth of reported losses – 23% of these were in relation to online shopping and auctions frauds.
“As Justice Minister, I work closely with UK Government Ministers to consider legislation that would benefit Northern Ireland. I also plan to bring forward new bespoke legislation, in the Assembly, to prosecute those involved in criminal conduct linked to serious organised crime in the new Justice Bill.
“However, we know that legislative measures alone will not solve the problem and that we all have a role to play. We will continue to work closely with partners such as the PSNI, the Organised Crime Taskforce, the Executive’s Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime, Scamwise, Crimestoppers and Policing and Community Safety Partnerships who provide a huge amount of advice on preventing and reporting cyber-crimes, and on work to tackle fraud and scams.”
TACKLING ECONOMIC CRIME AWARDS 2024
15th November 2024 - Novotel London West
The Tackling Economic Crime Awards
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Friday 15th November
Novotel London West
www.thetecas.com
More information and apply at:
The NI Fraud Forum supported the Tackling Economic Crime Awards (TECAs) 2024.
The TECAs recognise and reward individuals, teams initiatives and companies involved in tackling different areas of economic crime. The awards are designed to be both independent and inclusive, providing an opportunity for outstanding performers, whether buyers or suppliers to be recognised and their success to be celebrated.
TECAs Core Values
Independent: The TECAs are independent. You don’t have to be a member of an association to be involved; anyone working to prevent any area of economic crime can enter a category that is relevant to them. The only requirement is that you have shown outstanding performance in your field.
Credible: The criteria for each award category have been carefully considered and based on extensive research across different areas of economic crime by looking at how outstanding performance is recognised and judged in other fields. There are strict criteria for who is appointed as a judge and for ensuring that judging decisions are fair and impartial.
Transparent: We want everyone to know the criteria for entering, how judges are selected and how the judging process works, so these details are published on the website.
Respectable: The TECAs will become a well-known brand, generating honour and opportunities for our winners. Furthermore, winners will be widely recognised as driving outstanding performance from those involved in tackling different areas of economic crime.
TACKLING ECONOMIC CRIME AWARDS 2024 - WINNERS
Outstanding Security Manager/Director – Zoe Gascoyne – HMRC
Outstanding Team – Operation Volcanic Investigation Team – Economic, Serious and Organisaed Crime – DWP
Outstanding Training Iniative – Gentium UK
Outstanding New Product, Software or Technology – Call Status – Monzo Bank
Outstanding Investigator – Carolann Mongan – DWP
Outstanding Partnership – Operation Aviation – SE ROCU: Lloyds Bank, Barclays Bank, National Economic Crime Centre
Outstanding Public Sector/Law Enforcement Initiative – Fraud Hub – NHSCFA
Outstanding Private/Third Sector Initiative – Fraud Prevention Campaign – Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB)
Outstanding Young Professional – Adam C – National Economic Crime Centre
Outstanding Female Economic Crime Professional – Dr Elisabeth Carter – Kingston University
Outstanding Individual Contribution to Tackling Economic Crime – Christine Farrow – UK Finance
Outstanding Overseas Iniative – Project PUENTE – NECC Illicit Finance Threat Leadership
Lifetime Achievement – Adrian Ladkin
Summaries of all the winners achievements can be found at:https://thetecas.com/2024/11/15/2024-tackling-economic-crime-awards-winners-announced/