A groundbreaking fraud support service in Cleveland has helped victims claw back nearly £290,000 in lost cash.
The Financial Fraud Advocates (FFA) pilot, run by Safer Communities, has now recovered a total of £289,587.17 for people targeted by scammers across the region.
A further £442,678.84 is currently being pursued in active cases with banks, financial institutions and the Financial Ombudsman, so even more victims could soon see money returned to their accounts.
Among the recent successes is the recovery of £26,000 for an 86-year-old, terminally ill woman with memory loss from Stockton-on-Tees, whose savings were stolen by a relative. Her son Ian described the ordeal as “devastating” and said he would never have got the money back without support from the service.
“We first noticed something was wrong in September – my sister was cashing a cheque for mum and saw unusual transactions. The relative involved, who’d been living with Mum and Dad at the time, disappeared shortly after that,” he said.
“I went to the bank straight away. They investigated it and implied it was much worse than we originally thought – this family member had even accessed Mum’s ISA, which she had only ever paid into, never withdrawn from.
“The staff at bank weren’t interested in helping me get the money back, they were tying me up in knots, making things difficult and implying that it had somehow been our fault for not looking after things better,” he said.
“We questioned why the unusual activity hadn’t flagged any concerns, but they said they couldn’t do anything without power of attorney. It took four months to sort out; we were back and forth to the bank constantly while trying to look after Mum, and my dad was in bits emotionally. The betrayal was devastating – that money was set aside for mum’s care.”
Cleveland Police put Ian in touch with Safer Communities – and things changed quickly.
“My advocate and I went down to the bank together and I gave him permission to speak on my behalf. Some of the money started being returned to Mum that day, with the full amount coming the following day. I just couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“Without that support, we’d still be stuck. The advocate brought the legal understanding and authority we needed to push things forward and challenge the bank on protocol and processes. I didn’t even know help like this existed and I can honestly say I don’t think I’d have succeeded without their help – my advocate was brilliant.”
The success of the pilot project has now led to a one-year extension to funding by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland (OPCC) and its partners.
Originally due to end in December this year, the pilot has proved so successful that the OPCC and Cleveland’s four borough councils have agreed to continue funding until the end of December 2026.
Safer Communities fraud specialists are leading the efforts to help vulnerable people recover money lost to scams – particularly when banks fail to offer protection.
Financial fraud advocate, Vicky Beaumont said: “The emotional toll on victims is often devastating. Some people lose everything through no fault of their own – and that level of financial loss can have a serious impact on their mental health. In the worst cases, people feel hopeless and even suicidal.
“Our job is to work with the banks, flag failings in the system and stand up for victims who might otherwise be ignored. The feedback we’ve had already has been incredible – people are telling us the support has changed their lives.”
As well as fighting to get victims’ money back, the team provide practical and emotional support, with the wider aim of reducing the risk of being targeted again and improving wellbeing after the crime.
“It’s encouraging to see such positive early results and we’re on track to help many more people across Cleveland in the months ahead,” she said.
The roles are funded through the Proceeds of Crime Act – money seized from criminals by the police and courts is now being used to help victims recover financial losses and protect against further harm.
Cleveland OPCC’s contribution of £10,832.20 has been matched by Trading Standards departments in Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland Councils.
Matt Storey, Cleveland’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Fraud is the most common crime against individuals in England and Wales – and it’s often devastating.
“We know many people never even report it, because they feel ashamed or believe nothing can be done. But this project is proving that there is something we can do – and it’s making a real difference to people’s lives.
“If helping someone get their money back helps them move on, that’s money well spent.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by fraud, contact Safer Communities’ Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS) for support on 0303 040 10, email [email protected] or visit vcas.uk