Column: Adam Dance MP on the rising threat of fraud

For many of us, fraud conjures up images of suspicious emails or poorly written text messages.

The reality today is very different.

Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using social media, fake websites and even paid online adverts to target people.

It is no surprise that fraud has become the UK's biggest crime.

As your local MP, I see the consequences first-hand through my constituency casework.

I've helped small businesses that have lost thousands of pounds through scams, families dealing with identity fraud, and residents who have been tricked by fake websites or rogue traders.

Behind every statistic is someone who has lost not just money, but confidence and peace of mind.

During last week's debate, I welcomed parts of the government's new fraud strategy.

Replacing Action Fraud with a new reporting service and introducing a Fraud Victims' Charter are both positive steps.

But I also challenged ministers on whether the plans go far enough to tackle the scale of the problem.

One of the most important issues I raised was protecting vulnerable people.

I shared the experience of a constituent with developmental language disorder who was manipulated by romance fraudsters into losing £70,000.

Thankfully, after a great deal of work by my office and his therapist, that money was recovered.

However, his experience exposed how many fraud prevention systems simply aren't designed for people with communication difficulties or learning differences.

We need banks to recognise that not everyone can navigate automated phone lines, online reporting systems or artificial intelligence.

Sometimes, people simply need to speak to another person.

I also highlighted the experience of a Royal Navy veteran from Somerset who lost more than £20,000 after becoming involved in misleading wealth creation schemes promoted through social media.

His story demonstrates how quickly fraud is evolving and why regulation needs to keep pace.

Fraud prevention cannot simply rely on individuals spotting every scam.

We also need stronger safeguards, greater accountability for online platforms and better support for victims.

The debate may have finished, but my work on this issue certainly hasn't.

Over the coming months, I'll continue pressing ministers, banks, regulators and technology companies to strengthen protections, particularly for vulnerable people, and ensure that fewer families across our communities have to experience the devastating impact of fraud.