Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has voiced support for a recently launched government initiative aimed at increasing public awareness of fraud and scams.

The ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign has been introduced to combat various forms of fraud, including online scams.

It is part of the 2023 Fraud Strategy which has already seen a 13 per cent reduction in fraud and computer misuse, according to the Crime Survey of England and Wales.

In 2023, Flick conducted a forum on fraud and scams, with a second event scheduled to take place in collaboration with East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds.

Among actions promoted by Flick is the usage of the number 159 to contact the bank or building society securely when suspicious of fraud.

Flick said: "Fraud, especially online, is a growing problem from phishing to so-called sweetheart scams where people are befriended and then asked for money. The list of how people can try and take money seems endless."

She said: "However, it can’t work if people know the message could be dangerous and don’t open it or they have software that warns them."

The ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ campaign has a corresponding website offering guidance to the public and businesses on how to stay safe from fraudsters.