Cybersecurity unit tackled record number of online scams in 2021

A record number of scams were removed from the internet in 2021 thanks to the Active Cyber Defence programme. The National Cyber Security Centre (NSCS) has revealed that more than 2.7 million scam campaigns were stamped out in 2021, nearly four times more than in 2020. The rise reflects the expansion of NCSC services to…

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Reported cases of business fraud increase by 16%

Fraud prevention service, Cifas has released its annual Fraudscape report, detailing the latest data and intelligence recorded by Cifas members during 2021. The report reveals that a new case of fraudulent conduct was filed by organisations every 90 seconds on average, with over 360,000 cases recorded to the National Fraud Database – an increase of…

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Nearly a third of firms suffer cyber attacks hit every week

The government is encouraging organisations to be vigilant of cyber threats as new data reveals nearly a third of firms suffering cyber attacks hit every week. Businesses and charities are being urged to strengthen their cyber security practices with almost one in three businesses (31 per cent) and a quarter (26 per cent) of charities…

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Digital fraud checks could have reduced fraud on Bounce Back Loans

24th March 2022 Business Lending | #business fraud

Digital fraud checks could have significantly reduced the £11.8 billion pounds now estimated to have been lost by the government to fraudulent and erroneous applications for Covid-19 support, according to anti-money laundering specialist, SmartSearch. New figures from the House of Commons library show that fraud and errors involving coronavirus support schemes such as furlough and…

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Fraud cases heard in courts increased by 66% in 2021

24th February 2022 Commercial Credit Management | #fraud

The number of alleged fraud cases heard in UK courts in 2021 went up by 66 per cent compared to the same time in 2020 according to new analysis by KPMG. KPMG UK’s Fraud Barometer found that despite another lengthy Covid -19 lockdown at the start of 2021, UK courts appear to have got back…

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UK lost up to £16bn due to fraud in Covid loans schemes

24th February 2022 Business Lending | #loan fraud

The UK Government could lose as much as £16 billion to fraud and error across the Covid-19 emergency loan schemes, according to a report from the Public Accounts Committee described the losses as ‘unacceptable’ and said the Treasury should outline exactly what it intends to recover. The furlough scheme is estimated to have suffered the largest…

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HMRC’s Covid fraud stance questioned by Public Accounts Committee

A Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report has warned that HMRC’s ‘unambitious’ plans for recovering £6 billion in Covid-19 support payments that were paid out through fraud or mistakes could lead to the Government writing off a large sum of taxpayers’ money. In the report, Parliament’s cross-party Public Accounts Committee says that HMRC’s unambitious plans” for…

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Fraud to be made a priority offence as part of the Online Safety Bill

The Government’s Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries has announced that fraud will be made a priority offence as part of the Online Safety Bill. Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries said” This government said it would legislate to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online while enshrining free speech, and that’s exactly what…

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Calls for additional Government action to combat fraud

The Treasury Committee has called for additional Government action to combat fraud and scammers as it publishes its report on Economic Crime. The report, which was unanimously agreed by the cross-party Committee of MPs, urges the Government to legislate against online fraudulent adverts and seriously consider whether online giants should reimburse those who fall victim…

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Nine in ten businesses at risk of cyber-attacks due to IT weaknesses

Data from Konica Minolta has revealed that around one in nine (90% ) of SME businesses are risking significant fines and reputational damage due to potentially fatal weaknesses in their IT and data management and compliance. The data security vulnerabilities varied from data protection issues (such as insecure storage of financial details) to unsecured personal…

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SMEs warned of increased risk of targeted scams

UK Finance is warning UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to be alert for scams targeting their companies. As many businesses start the new year with people working from home, fraudsters will try to take advantage of opportunities to steal money where firms might be working outside of their normal processes. Criminals often attempt to impersonate a chief executive, senior manager, or supplier to try and convince staff to make an urgent payment…

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British Business Bank responds to NAO report on Bounce Back Loans

7th December 2021 Alternative Business Lending | #fraud

A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) says the Government only put basic anti-fraud checks on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) for small firms once more than £28 billion had already been paid out. The British Business Bank stepped up to deliver the Bounce Back Loan Scheme on behalf of Government to ensure…

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£28bn in Covid loans paid out before anti-fraud measures started

3rd December 2021 Alternative Business Lending | #fraud

A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) says the Government only put basic anti-fraud checks on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) for small firms once more than £28 billion had already been paid out. Checks to ensure that a company was not applying for more than one bounce back loan were not put…

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