The tax agency HMRC has nearly doubled the amount paid out to those making tip-offs, the highest figure of at least the past seven years.

According to Freedom of Information data obtained by accountancy firm Price Bailey, HMRC has paid out nearly £1m for tip-offs over 2023/24, 92 per cent higher than the £508,500 paid over 2022/23.

“Protecting people must be the priority – I am warning organisations today that data protection law is not an excuse and it does not stop you sharing data that may assist with tackling fraud,” said Stephen Almond.

The UK’s data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has called on organisations across the country to share personal information responsibly to protect customers from scams and fraud.

https://www.digit.fyi/ico-data-protection-not-an-excuse-when-tackling-scams-fraud/

What are the 5 key things you need to know?

Our previous blog on this topic (found here: Fraud: ‘failure to prevent fraud' offence - KPMG UK) set out the background to the new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence contained in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (“ECCTA”). As a one-line recap, this is where an organisation can be prosecuted under the ECCTA (potentially resulting in a fine) if a fraud is committed by an associated person, for the organisation’s benefit, and the organisation did not have ‘reasonable procedures’ in place to prevent the fraud.

https://kpmg.com/uk/en/home/insights/2024/11/government-guidance-for-failure-to-prevent-fraud-offence.html

The DVLA has issued a warning over a "widespread" scam that's so realistic millions of drivers are falling for it. Motorists and road users are falling for a swindle from con artists and fraudsters as we head towards Christmas, the motoring group has warned.

The DVLA has issued an alert over the scam, which has been reported more than 1,100 times in just two weeks. The fake messages purport to be from the DVLA and are trying to chase up motorists for car tax or Vehicle Excise Duty which is unpaid.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dvla-warns-over-widespread-scam-165416045.html

With many of us spending more time shopping online, it is more important than ever to do so safely.

Action Fraud the National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre have put together some guidance on shopping online and how to avoid scam websites to purchase items safely.

1. Be careful where you shop

2. Pay for things online with a credit card

3. Only give enough details to complete your purchase

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/news-campaigns/news/2024/nov/3-tips-for-shopping-online-safely-from-action-fraud

The much-anticipated new corporate criminal offence of failure to prevent fraud was introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

Its commencement was conditional on the government publishing guidance and that was issued on November 6 2024, and a regulation was laid before parliament on the same date that will make the offence effective from September 2025.

https://www.ftadviser.com/financial-fraud/2024/11/13/the-net-has-drastically-widened-for-corporate-criminal-liability/

Last year alone, mobile network operators successfully blocked over one billion scam messages, safeguarding their customers from potential harm. This significant achievement is a testament to the industry's ongoing commitment to protecting consumers.

https://www.politicshome.com/members/article/uk-mobile-industry-blocks-one-billion-scam-messages

The UK may look to follow the lead of the US in introducing a whistleblowing reward scheme in a bid to combat corporate crime.

US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently announced a new Department of Justice-run corporate whistleblower rewards pilot programme, highlighting the critical role whistleblowers play in uncovering corporate misconduct. The new pilot programme also aims to encourage more corporate self-reporting.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/out-law/news/us-whistleblowing-reward-scheme-reignites-calls-for-uk-reform

The number of HMRC investigations into serious tax fraud and avoidance has fallen to the lowest level in six years, new figures show.

Total investigations, known as Code of Practice eight and nine cases, fell from 1,091 in 2022-23 to 480 in 2023-24, according to the Financial Times.

Cop9 probes, which encompass the most serious tax cases such as the Hirst brothers and Bernie Ecclestone, fell from 669 in 2019-19 to 268 in 2023-24.

https://www.cityam.com/hmrc-probes-into-serious-tax-fraud-and-avoidance-fall-to-lowest-level-in-six-years/

Platforms luring drivers with low-cost policies.

Aviva has reported that nearly one-third (30%) of young drivers have unknowingly purchased invalid car insurance from illegal operators on social media platforms, according to a survey of 2,000 drivers in the 17-25 age bracket.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/auto-motor/aviva-finds-rise-in-ghost-broking-scams-among-young-social-media-users-513305.aspx