City of London Police is inviting the public to attend three free workshops the force is running on October 7 and 8. The force’s aim: to raise awareness of common scams and ways to avoid being a victim of fraud.
Understanding the threat from fraud and taking simple steps to protect yourself will reduce your chances of becoming a victim, the force adds.
Those attending the free workshops will hear about:
Common fraud threats in the City
The tell-tale signs of different types of fraud
How to avoid becoming a victim
What you can do if you’ve been a victim
The City of London Police is the national lead force for fraud, and the Economic Crime Directorate is investigating fraud at all levels.
Several officers from the Directorate will be speaking at the workshops, for instance on the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU), Insurance Fraud Enforcement Unit (IFED) and the National Fraud Intelligence Unit (NFIB).
See more at the force website.
Meanwhile, Lloyd’s of London has given the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) in the City of London Police more than £200,000.
The additional funding from the specialist insurance market will see three more detectives join IFED, a 35-strong industry funded unit tackling insurance fraud in England and Wales.
Lloyd’s funding comes midway through IFED’s second year in operation – the unit was launched in January 2012 – which means the market joins members of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in committing to finance the unit until December 2014; when the support will be reviewed.
Sean McGovern, Director, Risk Management and General Counsel, Lloyd’s said: “Insurance fraud is a crime which costs the industry hundreds of millions of pounds every year and impacts negatively on the vast majority of honest customers. We’re pleased to support IFED in helping reduce this crime.”
City of London Police Commander, Steve Head, said: “Since launching IFED we have delivered on our promise to make England and Wales a more hostile environment to commit insurance fraud. We have investigated millions of pounds worth of insurance scams, made hundreds of arrests, secured a growing number of convictions and, in the process, we are changing the public perception that insurance fraud is not a real crime with little chance of being caught and few consequences for those who were.
“Lloyds pledging funding provides further industry recognition that we have delivered for insurers and will enable us to make an even greater impact in the future by expanding our team and working with different insurers covering a variety of markets and products.”
Nick Starling, Director of General Insurance at the Association of British Insurers, said: “IFED continues to lead the way in the investigation and prosecution of insurance fraudsters. Lloyd’s market participation in IFED demonstrates the sector’s willingness to work collaboratively and sends out a clear message that the insurance industry is determined to do all it can to protect its honest customers.”
