Powered by Lexis+® UK
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts

Victims of fraud—lawyers’ checklist: evidence preservation, risk mitigation, urgent freezing/search orders, insurance, Action Fraud reporting, and strategy for civil, private/public criminal or parallel proceedings (England and Wales)

Checklists
imgtext

This Checklist supports individuals and companies who suspect they have been victims of fraud. It outlines immediate steps to gather and preserve evidence, obtain legal advice, reduce risk, and secure urgent relief (for example, freezing orders and insurance cover). It also considers reporting to the police and explains how to do this via Action Fraud.

It addresses the choice between civil and criminal proceedings, and explains that a civil fraud claim may run alongside a public or private criminal prosecution.

Read this alongside the following Practice Notes:

  • Starting a civil fraud claim-a practical guide
  • Civil fraud-heads of claim
  • Civil fraud-frequently asked questions (FAQ)
  • Commencing criminal proceedings-applying for the issue of a summons
  • Fraud-civil claim and private criminal prosecution compared

For full guidance on criminal fraud offences, see: Fraud offences-overview.

Victims of authorised push payment (APP) fraud should also see News Analysis: Caught out by APP fraud? Here's the 101 of what can be done, in addition to the below.

I am a victim

...
To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
Web page updated on 01/06/2026

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow