Government considering 555 fraud hotline for scam victims

The Home Office is considering the creation of a new hotline for victims of bank fraud and similar scams.

The idea was put forward at a meeting of the Joint Fraud Taskforce in September, attended by Home Secretary Amber Rudd and senior staff from a number of UK banks.

Minutes published by the Home Office reveal that Brian Dilley, of Lloyds Banking group, told the meeting about an "early stage idea" of having a single number - such as 555 - for the reporting of scams and fraud. Currently victims of fraud are advised to call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

The minutes read: "Brian Dilley...commented on the issue of communicating to customers who have been told not to trust unsolicited contacts from their bank.

"[He] outlined an early stage idea...for a central reporting telephone number (e.g. 555) that victims of fraud/scams could contact.

"At its simplest, the number could be a triaging facility directing victims to the appropriate agency. At its most ambitious it could sit in front of enhanced data sharing/analytics, taking in all reporting and providing standardised reporting - [providing] a collective intelligence picture across fraud and money laundering."

James Freedman, fraud ambassador for City of London Police, told the Daily Mail: "The problem is that people may liken the number to 999 and expect an emergency response. In reality, fraud can take time to investigate.

"However, it is vital to encourage more people to report scams, even in instances where they have got their money back or not fallen for them at all, as this is the only way the body of information available to the police will grow."