Fraud is one of the fastest-growing threats facing our public services and our communities.
At Suffolk County Council, we take our duty to protect public funds and protect our residents seriously.
Every pound lost to fraud is a pound that can’t be spent on vital services like social care, roads, and schools.
The scale of the challenge is staggering. The National Audit Office estimates that, in 2023/24, fraud and error across the public sector cost taxpayers between £55 billion and £81 billion.
Local councils alone detected £265 million worth of fraud, with cases almost doubling over the past five years. That is why we have strong measures in place to prevent fraud and tackle it wherever it occurs.
Prevention is key. Staff and councillors are trained to recognise the signs of fraud and encouraged to take responsibility for reporting concerns.
Robust checks and data analysis help us identify irregularities early before they become major issues.
When concerns do arise, our Counter Fraud Service conducts thorough investigations, working closely with our finance and legal teams, the police, and other local authorities.
Serious cases can and do lead to prosecution. These steps matter because fraud against the council is ultimately fraud against you, the taxpayer.
Of course, fraudsters aren’t only interested in large organisations. They’re targeting individuals like you and me every day.
From fake delivery texts to bogus giveaways and too-good-to-be-true offers on social media, these scams are everywhere, and chances are you’ve come across one yourself.
Fraud now accounts for 41% of all crime in England and Wales. Citizens Advice reports that 6% of people across the East of England were scammed last year.
Nationally, more than seven million people fell victim. The impact goes far beyond financial loss.
Victims often feel anxious, stressed, and embarrassed. Many lose trust in others, and relationships can suffer.
That’s why we believe protecting residents is just as important as safeguarding public money.
That’s where our Trading Standards team plays a vital role. They investigate and prosecute unfair trading, offer advice through the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, and work with the National Trading Standards Scams Team to disrupt mass-marketing fraud.
To go further in the fight against fraud, Suffolk Trading Standards and Suffolk Police are working together. Since January 2025, a new Fraud Protect and Prevent Officer has been in post.
We now have two dedicated officers – one in each service. They are already working hard to reach local communities.
Their role includes giving scam-awareness talks to groups often targeted by fraudsters, such as people over 55, and training organisations like care agencies and community groups who may encounter vulnerable consumers.
They also work with banks to help prevent customers becoming victims and supports those who have been scammed to try and recover their money.
For repeat victims, they can arrange call-blocking devices to stop unwanted calls and reduce the risk of further harm.
Trading Standards offers a range of practical tools to help you stay safe.
You can sign up for regular email scam alerts, become a Friend Against Scams, request a free "No Cold Calling" sticker for your door, or nominate your street as a "No Cold Calling" zone.
We also operate a "Trusted Trader" directory so you can hire with confidence.
All these schemes are available at suffolk.gov.uk/TradingStandards.
If you’ve been scammed, report it through the Citizens Advice consumer service by visiting suffolk.gov.uk and searching "Report an issue to Trading Standards", or by calling 0808 223 1133.
If you suspect fraud against Suffolk County Council, go to suffolk.gov.uk and search "Report Fraud", or call our Fraud Hotline on 01473 264399.
Together, we can protect public funds, ensure money goes where it is needed most, and shield our communities from the growing impact of fraud.
