Humberside Crime Prevention Partnership

Humberside Crime Prevention Partnership

Dear Resident,

Local businesses are increasingly being targeted by fraudsters. Criminals are using increasingly convincing emails, phone calls, text messages, and social media to trick businesses into handing over money, sensitive information, or access to their systems.

Some of the most common types of fraud affecting UK businesses include:

Invoice and payment fraud – criminals impersonate suppliers or staff and ask for bank details or payment changes.

CEO/director fraud – someone pretends to be a senior manager or business owner and urgently requests a payment.

Phishing emails – fraudulent emails designed to steal passwords, banking information, or other sensitive data.

Business email compromise – criminals gain access to a genuine email account and use it to request payments or sensitive information.

Fake supplier/customer fraud – criminals pose as legitimate businesses or customers to obtain goods, services, or credit.

Mandate fraud – fraudsters contact businesses claiming to represent a bank, supplier or organisation and request changes to payment arrangements.

Tech-support scams – criminals claim there is a problem with your computer or IT system and persuade you to provide remote access or payment.

Ransomware and cyber-attacks – criminals gain access to business systems and demand money to restore access or prevent data being released.

Recruitment/payroll fraud – criminals impersonate employees and request changes to salary or bank details.

Online shopping and card fraud – fraudulent transactions, stolen card details or fake websites can result in financial losses.

🛡️ SIMPLE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS

✅ Never rely solely on an email or text message to change bank details or authorise a payment.

✅ If a supplier or customer provides new bank details, independently verify them using a trusted telephone number you already have not a number contained in the message.

✅ Be particularly cautious about urgent or confidential payment requests.

✅ Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.

✅ Keep computers, phones, software, and security systems fully updated.

✅ Make sure staff receive regular fraud awareness training and know that it is acceptable to question unusual requests.

✅ Limit access to financial systems and sensitive information to those who genuinely need it.

✅ Regularly back up important business data and ensure backups cannot easily be accessed or deleted by an attacker.

✅ Be cautious when clicking links or opening attachments, even if an email appears to come from someone you know.

🚨 IF SOMETHING DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT

Stop before making the payment or providing information.

Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency to prevent you from checking their request. Take a moment, speak to a colleague, and independently verify what you have been asked to do.

If you believe your business has been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately. You should also report fraud or cyber-crime through Action Fraud.

Remember: A genuine supplier, bank or colleague will understand if you take time to verify a request.

STOP • CHECK • VERIFY

Protect your business, your staff, and your customers.

I hope you find this information useful, if there are any recommendations for future crime prevention messages, please let me know.

Feel free to share this message or post on social media. Further crime prevention advice is available on the Secured by Design website, design guides and information leaflets are also available

Regards

Jamie

Crime Reduction

Humberside Police

To report a crime NOT ongoing please use this link: https://www.humberside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/?tid=1477300&lid=&cid=&rid=71430&stepid=1

To share community partnership intelligence, please use this link: https://www.humberside.police.uk/partners/partner-services/community-partner-intelligence/v2/share-community-partnership-intelligence/

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Message Sent By
Jamie Steel
(Humberside Police, Crime Prevention Officer - Constable, Community Safety Unit)

To find out more about your local policing team including who your officers are, updates on policing priorities and details of meetings and events please visit https://www.police.uk.