A NEW campaign has been launched to encourage victims of fraud to come forward.
Action Fraud has been set up to crack down on crimes that claim thousands of victims each year.
Police say fraud costs each adult in the UK about £621 a year and funds serious crimes like drug smuggling and people trafficking.
Action Fraud aims to make it easier to report fraud and give law enforcement agencies better information to target fraudsters.
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has been set up as a collaboration of all police forces.
Det Chief Insp Steve Taylor from West Yorkshire Police’s economic crime unit said: “Fraudsters can target people in West Yorkshire regardless of where they are based, so by having a national reporting centre we will be in a much stronger position to tackle fraud locally.
“Victims of fraud tend not to report the crime through embarrassment or confusion, but for the first time a national agency will encourage such victims to come forward and help will be offered.”
Victims of fraud can call 0300 123 2040 or visit the website www.actionfraud.org.uk for more information.
