We are aware of how important it is to you that we keep your data safe, so when you make a report to Action Fraud we have standard protocols for handling and sharing your data. The information set out below explains how we share the data.
When you make a report to Action Fraud it is passed on to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) which is also run by the City of London Police. The NFIB is tasked with reviewing reports of fraud for dissemination to police forces and law enforcement agencies.
The NFIB receives reports of fraud crime from a number of sources, including financial institutions, the business sector and individuals in order to prevent and detect either fraud or cyber offences. Data sharing across and between organisations plays a crucial role in the prevention of fraud in a range of sectors – both public and private.
The type of data that is shared
Data shared by the NFIB includes:
- Personal information.
- Financial information.
- Network details such as telephone numbers, web addresses, email addresses, and IP addresses.
- Contextual information about the circumstances of a fraud report for example the date of the report, the amounts of money involved, the method of first contact, or any other information deemed relevant to the fraud report.
Where necessary or required we share data with:
- Other police forces
- Regulatory bodies
- Courts
- Prisons
- Non Home Office police forces
- Customs and excise
- Local and central government
- International law enforcement agencies and bodies
- Security companies
- Partner agencies, approved organisations and individuals working with the police
- Licensing authorities
- Service providers
- Healthcare professionals
- Current, past and prospective employers
- Examining bodies
- Law enforcement and prosecuting authorities
- Other organisations for the prevention of fraud
Your data shared with other organisations allows them to:
- Monitor accounts for signs of further suspicious activity for the purposes of fraud prevention, fraud detection and risk.
- Help to protect potential victims of fraud throughout the UK by sharing information received in fraud reports.
- Help provide better customer support and aid in the recovery of monies lost.
- Develop a collective understanding of criminal behaviour to inform next steps.
Security
Personal data is sent securely with protective markings. Organisations with whom we share data observe agreed protocols for the handling and security of data and this includes the requirement that data is kept within a password protected computer system or secured physically with access restricted to authorised staff only.
If you would like more information about the agreements for data sharing please refer to the information charter.