Statistic Analysis
Scam Calls & Fraud in the UK
Scam Call Types
Types of Scams:
- HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) phishing scams are prevalent, with over 600,000 reports in 2021 alone.
- Tech support scams, where scammers impersonate IT support from reputable companies, are also common.
Evolution Over Time:
- There has been a notable increase in COVID-19 related scams since 2020, including fake vaccination offers and fraudulent health advice.
| Types of Scams | Over 600,000 HMRC phishing scam reports in 2021 | HMRC |
| Tech support scams common | Various sources | |
| Evolution Over Time | Increase in COVID-19 related scams since 2020 | Various sources |
Technology & Methods
Spoofing Technology:
- Ofcom reported that 45% of scam calls involved number spoofing, making them appear as local or known numbers.
Robocalls vs. Human Calls:
- A report by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) indicates that 60% of scam calls are automated (robocalls), while 40% involve human interaction.
| Spoofing Technology | 45% of scam calls involve number spoofing | Ofcom |
| Robocalls vs. Human Calls | 60% robocalls, 40% human scammers | NFIB |
Demographic Analysis
Age Groups:
- According to UK Finance, individuals aged 65 and over are more likely to be targeted by certain types of scams, such as pension fraud and investment scams.
- Younger individuals (under 35) are increasingly falling victim to online shopping and auction scams.
Gender:
- A survey by Citizens Advice found that men are more likely to be targeted by investment and pension scams, while women report more instances of romance scams.
Geographical Distribution:
- London and the South East of England report the highest number of scam calls, according to data from Action Fraud.
| Age Groups | Individuals aged 65+ frequently targeted | UK Finance |
| Younger individuals (under 35) targeted by online shopping scams | UK Finance | |
| Gender | Men more targeted by investment/pension scams; women by romance scams | Citizens Advice |
| Geographical Distribution | London and South East highest number of scam calls | Action Fraud |
Impact & Losses
Financial Impact:
- UK Finance reported that the total losses from scam calls in 2022 amounted to £583 million.
- The average loss per victim was approximately £1,500.
Non-Financial Impact:
- Victims often report significant emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of trust in phone communications. Age UK noted that elderly victims experience heightened levels of isolation and fear.
| Financial Impact | Total losses of £583 million in 2022 | UK Finance |
| Average loss per victim: £1,500 | UK Finance | |
| Non-Financial Impact | Significant emotional distress, especially among elderly | Age UK |
Legal Action & Law Enforcement
Prosecution Rates:
- According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), around 1,200 individuals were prosecuted for scam-related activities in 2022.
- Conviction rates for fraud cases stand at approximately 80%.
Legislative Changes:
- The introduction of the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 aims to strengthen the UK’s telecom security and reduce the prevalence of scam calls.
| Prosecution Rates | 1,200 prosecutions in 2022; 80% conviction rate | CPS |
| Legislative Changes | Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 | UK Government |
Comparative Analysis
International Comparison:
- The UK’s scam call problem is on par with countries like the USA and Australia, which also report high levels of phone fraud.
- The UK sees slightly lower per capita losses compared to the USA, where scam call losses exceeded $10 billion in 2022.
Historical Comparison:
- Scam calls have increased by 35% from 2019 to 2023, driven by advancements in spoofing technology and increased online activity during the pandemic.
| International Comparison | UK on par with USA and Australia; USA losses over $10 billion in 2022 | Comparative analysis sources |
| Historical Comparison | 35% increase in scam calls from 2019 to 2023 | Various sources |
Reporting & Resolution
Reporting Rates:
- Action Fraud receives around 500,000 reports of fraud annually, with scam calls being a significant portion.
- However, it is estimated that only 15% of scam call victims report the crime.
Resolution Rates:
- Approximately 20% of reported cases lead to some form of resolution, such as recovery of funds or legal action, according to the NFIB.
| Reporting Rates | Approximately 500,000 fraud reports annually; 15% reporting rate | Action Fraud |
| Resolution Rates | 20% of reported cases lead to resolution | NFIB |
Preventative Measures
Effectiveness of Blocking Services:
- Ofcom reports that awareness of call-blocking technology is high, but actual usage is lower, especially among older demographics.
Public Awareness Campaigns:
- The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) campaigns have led to a 25% increase in public reporting of phishing attempts and scam calls.
| Reported Data | 80% of calls reported as ‘Scams’ in services like ‘Who’s Ringing?’ | Who’s Ringing? |
| Public Awareness Campaigns | 25% increase in public reporting due to NCSC campaigns | NCSC |
