‘No excuses’ for tech firms as new UK fraud reporting service launched

Dr Rasha Kassem, Senior Academic and leader of the Fraud Research Group (FRG) at Aston University, said: “The launch of Report Fraud marks a long-overdue reset for the UK’s fraud reporting and intelligence infrastructure.

“After years in which Action Fraud became synonymous with inaction, broken trust, and victim frustration, the move to a modernised, intelligence-driven platform is both necessary and welcome. However, rebranding or replacing a failing reporting body, on its own, will not solve the problem. Sustainable reform depends just as much on investment in well-trained counter-fraud professionals, specialist investigators, and victim-support staff who can interpret intelligence, pursue complex cases, and provide meaningful care and communication to those affected. Without that human and organisational capacity, technological upgrades risk becoming a more efficient front end to an under-resourced system.

“The rhetoric of “no excuses” for technology and telecoms companies also needs caution. While greater accountability from platforms that enable fraud at scale is essential, fraud is not simply a technology problem. It is a systemic governance failure spanning regulation, incentives, law enforcement capacity, cross-border enforcement, and corporate responsibility. Without clear statutory duties, enforcement mechanisms, and sanctions for non-compliance, calls for industry to “step up” risk becoming symbolic rather than transformative.

“The Government’s 10% annual reduction target is ambitious, but without parallel investment in specialist fraud policing, prosecutorial capacity, and international cooperation, it risks becoming another headline promise that outpaces operational reality.

“Ultimately, Report Fraud is a foundational reform, not a silver bullet. Its success will depend on whether it becomes the backbone of a wider governance ecosystem that aligns law enforcement, regulators, platforms, and financial institutions around shared data, shared accountability, and shared responsibility for prevention. Without that, improved reporting alone will not be sufficient to deliver a step-change in fraud prevention or victim protection.”