The Financial Fraud Advocates (FFA) pilot, run by VCAS, has reached almost £700k in recovered cash for victims since launching. It’s currently pursuing a further £430,000 in active cases across Hartlepool, Stockton, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland.
The continued funding comes from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland (OPCC) and the region’s four borough councils.
Among those who received support is 85-year-old Joan Holdaway, who lost £1,000 to fraudsters who repeatedly called her promoting a bogus investment scheme that used celebrity images.
“It was very upsetting,” said Ms Holdaway. “All I kept thinking about was how I was going to eke out the money that I’d still got. Then I kept thinking ‘I’m not going to get this back, I know I’m not.'”
After reporting the fraud to Action Fraud, Joan’s case was transferred to Cleveland Police, who connected her with Safer Communities’ Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS). The service supported her in recovering the full amount from her bank through new mandatory reimbursement regulations that came into force just over a year ago, requiring banks to reimburse most push-payment fraud victims.
Despite recovering her money, no arrests have been made in Joan’s case, and she says the psychological toll has been severe.
“It’s made me very, very suspicious. You just cannot sleep properly and it’s just on your mind all the time. All I was doing was avoiding ever speaking to anyone again.
“I don’t think you ever get over it, really. I think it stays with you and you wonder about anybody that you don’t know; are they who they say they are? It’s really dreadful,” she said.
The fraud specialists help vulnerable residents recover money in complex cases where banks have failed to offer adequate protection or compensation.
Vicky Beaumont, financial fraud advocate at Safer Communities (pictured), said: “We are proving there is real hope for victims to regain their financial footing. With more cases still being pursued, the fight for financial justice is proving to be a service people across Teesside really need and appreciate. It’s very traumatic for people when they are defrauded and we are making a real difference every day.”
The project uses the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), meaning money seized from convicted criminals supports fraud victims.
Matt Storey, Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “The fact we have recovered nearly £690,000 having recently secured this service for another year shows this response is working. By using money taken from criminals, we are helping Teessiders recover their savings. That is money well spent and I’m delighted to see the impact it is having.”
The OPCC’s contribution is matched by Trading Standards departments in Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland councils.
How to report and get help
If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
For confidential local support from the Financial Fraud Advocates, contact VCAS on 0303 040 1099 or info@vcas.uk, whether or not you have reported the crime to police.
