Consumer Protection Fraud 2025-02-24

2025-02-24

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
Concern about online scams targeting constituents, including one who lost £40,000. Many scams originate overseas.
What discussions has the Minister had with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology about tackling online scams and working with other countries to crack down on scams originating abroad?
We need the support of overseas Governments and agencies and the co-operation of tech firms to prevent fraud from taking place on their platforms. My noble Friend Lord Hanson will be meeting tech firms next month to confirm what action is being taken. Working across Government, including with partners in DSIT and others, we will not hesitate to take further action where necessary.
Assessment & feedback
We Need The Support Of Overseas Governments And Agencies
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Damian Hinds Con
East Hampshire
Context
January figures showed an increase in fraud, but Government is proceeding with the Payment Services (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
What effect does the Minister believe that change will make?
He is right that the latest statistics show that there were 3.9 million incidents in the year ending September 2024—that is one in 15 people becoming a victim—which demonstrates the urgent need for action. The Government are taking action: the Home Secretary, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology recently wrote to tech and telecoms companies, urging them to go faster and further on fraud, and we expect them to do so.
Assessment & feedback
The Latest Statistics Show An Increase In Incidents
Response accuracy