Weekly Fraud Update from West Mercia Police - Economic Crime Unit - 04/08/2026

DON’T TAKE THE BAIT

 Over 56 million phishing emails have been reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service and more than a third of those were reported in the last year. Reporting of phishing emails has reached an all-time high with a 44% increase year on year.

From that 252,000 website addresses have been removed by the National Cyber Security Centre and Action Fraud are urging the public to keep on reporting suspicious emails and texts.

What is Phishing?

This is when criminals use scam emails, texts, QR codes or even phone calls to trick victims into revealing personal and financial details. They may also try and persuade you to visit a website which results in downloading a virus to your device so never click on links in suspicious emails and texts.

How can you protect yourself?

If you have lost money, or given away financial information, after a scam, tell your bank straightaway by calling 159 and also report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via reportfraud.police.uk

By reporting phishing attempts you can reduce the amount of scam messages you get, make yourself a harder target for scammers and protect others from cyber Crime online

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives, or neighbours