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<p>The Government is boosting police capacity and is committed to strengthening our
criminal justice system to put victims first. As part of the Police Uplift Programme
to recruit an additional 20,000 officers by 2023, we have prioritised more investigators
in the City of London Police to fulfil their role as a world class fraud specialist
force. We have also channelled additional officer resource into the Regional Organised
Crime Unit network to work on a host of serious and organised crime threats including
fraud.</p><p>The Government is also aware of the harms caused by identity theft and
that criminals use this to commit and enable a range of offences, from benefit fraud,
credit card fraud to fraudulently obtaining property.</p><p>We are actively working
on a number of initiatives to reduce identity-enabled crime and deny criminals the
opportunity to exploit false or stolen personal data. This includes developing proposals
for a digital identity system that would enable people to prove their identity easily
and securely, without the need to provide physical documents, with the aim of reducing
identity-enabled fraud and crime. However, the Government recognises there is more
to do, and we are working closely with industry, regulators, and consumer groups to
tackle fraud and close those vulnerabilities that criminals too easily exploit.</p><p>Reporting
incidents of fraud helps us stop fraudsters and protect other people from becoming
victims. Any experience of property fraud should be reported directly to HM Land Registry
through their dedicated Property Fraud Line at <a href="mailto:reportafraud@landregistry.gov.uk"
target="_blank">reportafraud@landregistry.gov.uk</a>. Owners who are concerned their
property might be subject to a fraudulent sale or mortgage should also register an
Anti-Fraud Restriction with HM Land Registry. We also continue to ask the public to
report fraud to the police through Action Fraud by phone on 0300 123 2040 or through
their website: <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud" target="_blank">http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud</a>.</p><p>It
is important that victims of fraud receive the support that they are entitled to.
Action Fraud also provides protective advice to individuals who contact the service
and Citizens Advice can provide options for redress.</p>
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