In August 2022 the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) provided additional funding to the PCC to support the local Victim Service.
Following consultation with representatives from Safer Communities, it was agreed that £31,784 of the additional funding would be used to appoint a part-time Fraud Financial Advocate (FFA.)
This was with the aim of helping fraud victims recover their financial losses and provide advice on how to reduce the risk of repeat victimisation. This was detailed in DRF 2022 -0021.
The FFA Service was delivered for a pilot period between the 19th September 2022 and the 31st March 2023.
Purpose of the Role
The aim of the role was to:
- Help victims of fraud recover financial losses
- Reduce the risk of repeat victimisation
- Improve their physical and emotional welfare
- Improve levels of satisfaction with the services provided
Evaluation undertaken towards the end of the pilot showed that the role had been very successful in recovering financial losses.
Success
During the evaluation period, 33 victims of fraud were supported, with 22 of those victims receiving either a full or part reimbursement, totalling £170,298.
In addition to this, two fraudulently obtained loans were cancelled, together valued at £32,500 meaning that the total financial benefit for victims of fraud was therefore £202,795. At the time of completing the evaluation 19 of the victims supported had claims outstanding. The total value of these claims was £831,906.
The evaluation also highlighted the success of the role in preventing repeat victimisation.
Ninety per cent of those who completed the evaluation questionnaire said they were more aware of how fraudsters operated, and how to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of fraud in the future.
During the pilot period, two victims were re-contacted by fraudsters and asked for additional money. Both declined and spoke to the FFA for advice which demonstrates a reduction in repeat victimisation.
MOJ funding for the FFA post was time limited and the pilot could not be extended through core victims’ funding.
The role is to be reinstated for a pilot period of one year through Proceeds of Crime Act funding.
There will be equal contributions from the OPCC and each of Cleveland’s four Local Authority Trading Standards teams.
This means funding seized from criminals by the police and courts will be used to help recover victims’ financial losses and also to prevent further victimisation.
The FFA role will assist vulnerable victims in pursuing compensation from banks, when there is evidence that they failed in their duty to protect their customers’ accounts.
Decision 2024/25 – 006: Fraud Financial Advocate (application, 1MB)