Free, confidential specialist support for people across Cleveland who have lost money through fraud or financial crime.
Our Financial Fraud Advocates can help you gather evidence, deal with banks and financial organisations, challenge decisions and pursue complaints with the Financial Ombudsman Service where appropriate.
You can contact us whether or not you have reported the fraud to the police.
Fraud can be difficult to deal with on your own. Victims can be left trying to manage bank correspondence, evidence, complaints and decisions at the same time as coming to terms with what has happened.
Financial Fraud Advocacy is delivered by Safer Communities through its Victim Care and Advice Service, VCAS. The service supports people across Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees.
Every case is different and there is no guarantee that money will be returned. Our advocates can look at what has happened, explain the options available and help progress a case where there are grounds to do so.
Investment fraud.
Impersonation scams.
Romance and befriending fraud.
Courier fraud.
Employment fraud.
Rogue traders.
Authorised push payment fraud.
Online and social engineering fraud.
Fraud is not only about the money that has been lost. It can affect confidence, sleep, relationships and a person’s sense of trust.
Some people feel embarrassed or blame themselves. Others feel overwhelmed by the process of trying to sort things out.
There is no judgement when you contact us. Fraud can be highly sophisticated and victims come from every age group and background.
Our results
£1,285,666.88 returned to victims by 13 July 2026
117 cases supported between January 2025 and the end of June 2026
If you are a professional supporting someone who has been affected by fraud or financial exploitation, you can make a referral to VCAS. We can also discuss a potential referral with you before it is made.
