Michael Jackson, Vice Chair of the High Court Enforcement Officers Association (HCEOA), examines the impact of fraud on the enforcement profession and looks at the steps that individuals and businesses working in the sector can take to combat it and protect themselves and the wider public from enforcement fraud.
Fraud is a growing concern across the economy, and enforcement and legal sectors are not immune. Fraudsters, posing as High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs), Certificated Enforcement Agents (CEAs), or HMCTS County Court Bailiffs, are attempting to exploit individuals and businesses by demanding payments under false pretences. This criminal activity not only harms victims but also damages the reputation of the courts, legitimate enforcement and legal businesses.
Impact on Enforcement and Legal Businesses
The impersonation of Enforcement Agents by fraudsters has a hugely detrimental effect on genuine businesses. These activities lead to a loss of trust in enforcement processes, making it more challenging for certificated officers to perform their duties.
Fraudsters often use sophisticated tactics, presenting themselves convincingly by providing what appears to be authentic documentation and using appropriate legal terminology. This complexity makes it difficult for individuals to distinguish between genuine enforcement actions and fraudulent schemes, further eroding trust in the system.
Tactics now extend to setting up convincing websites copied from existing enforcement businesses, legal practices, and financial institution (these can even include hi-tech online payment portals), and producing highly sophisticated ID cards to impersonate Enforcement Agents.
Industry Measures and Legal Consequences
Financial institutions have implemented stringent measures to combat fraud, including thorough identity verification when opening accounts and ongoing monitoring of transactions. Despite these efforts, fraudsters continue to find ways to circumvent these safeguards, often operating on an industrial scale.
Impersonation of Enforcement Agents is a serious crime, punishable by fines and even incarceration. However, identifying and convicting the individuals responsible is becoming an increasingly difficult challenge for the authorities.
Combating Fraud
Raising awareness about enforcement fraud is crucial. Public education initiatives help individuals recognise the signs of fraud and understand the correct procedures for enforcement actions. Resources such as the HCEOA and CIVEA websites and the Stop! Think Fraud campaign at: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/ provide valuable information and support. Victims of fraud should report the incident to the police and register it with Action Fraud to ensure the crime is officially recorded and investigated.
Professionals in the sector are also targeted for their personal information to aid scammers in creating fake ID cards and communication. Knowing the difference between a genuine request and a suspicious one can help protect your information and prevent fraudsters from using your credentials.
Detecting and Responding to Fraud
Individuals and businesses must be vigilant and informed about enforcement processes to protect themselves from fraud.
If you receive a request for your credentials from someone you don’t know, or are not expecting contact from, you should:
- Not provide any personal or professional details, including any copies of ID they may ask for.
- Research the organisation they claim to be working for online using an independent search engine and contact them directly using verified details to confirm whether the request is genuine.
- Report the incident to the company you work for to make sure others are aware in case they are also targeted. Your manager or compliance team may alsop be able to help determine whether it is a genuine request.
- Raise a case with the police at your local station and Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
Enforcement fraud poses significant challenges to both victims and legitimate businesses. By maintaining rigorous verification processes, raising public awareness, and adhering to professional guidelines, the enforcement and legal sectors can help mitigate the impact of fraud. Protecting the integrity of enforcement processes is essential to maintaining trust in the justice system.
