The launch of our Financial Scamming and Fraud (APPG) Publication.

Professor Lee-Ann Fenge
Dr Sally Lee
Stevie Corbin-Clarke
14th November 2018

Financial scams are a serious and growing problem that affects millions of people every year. They can have devastating effects on individuals and society, especially on the most vulnerable people. However, there is still a lack of clear research and evidence on the scale, causes, and impact of financial scams.

We are a team of researchers from the National Centre for Cross-Disciplinary Social Work (NCCDSW) at Bournemouth University (BU), and we are dedicated to investigating and tackling this issue. We work with key national organisations and politicians to develop further research and raise awareness of financial scams. We also invite you to join us in our efforts to combat this crime.

Why Financial Scams Matter

Financial scams are fraudulent schemes that trick people into giving away their money or personal information. Scammers use various methods, such as phone calls, emails, letters, or online platforms, to deceive their victims. Some of the common types of scams include:

  • Lottery and prize draw scams
  • Investment and pension scams
  • Romance and dating scams
  • Online shopping and auction scams
  • Identity theft and phishing scams

Financial scams can have serious consequences for the victims, such as:

  • Financial losses, which can affect their income, savings, assets, and debts
  • Emotional distress, which can cause anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, and anger
  • Loss of trust, which can affect their relationships with family, friends, and professionals
  • Social isolation, which can make them feel lonely, vulnerable, and stigmatised

Financial scams can also have negative effects on society as a whole, such as:

  • Increasing the demand for public services, such as health care, social care, and law enforcement
  • Reducing the tax revenue and economic growth
  • Eroding the public confidence and security

How We Are Addressing the Problem

We are a team of researchers from NCCDSW at BU, and we have been working on financial scams for the past three years. We have conducted various studies and projects to explore the causes and effects of financial scams, and to develop effective ways to prevent and combat them.

We work in partnership with various organisations and politicians who share our vision and mission. Some of our partners include:

  • The Chartered Trading Standards Institute
  • The National Trading Standards Scams Team
  • Royal Mail
  • The Burdett Trust for Nursing
  • Action Fraud
  • Age UK
  • The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Crime and Scamming

Together with our partners, we aim to:

  • Raise awareness and understanding of the risks posed by financial scams among professionals and the public
  • Educate and empower people to protect themselves and others from financial scams
  • Support and assist people who have been affected by financial scams
  • Collaborate and coordinate with different sectors and agencies to prevent and stop financial scams

How You Can Get Involved

We believe that fighting financial scams is a collective effort that requires the involvement of everyone. We welcome your input and support in our research and activities. If you would like to contribute your thoughts or ideas, please contact us.

You can also download our free PDF document that summarises our work and provides some useful tips on how to avoid and deal with financial scams. This document has been updated from our original work in order to support the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group chaired by Conor Burns M.P.

Meet the author(s)

Professor Lee-Ann Fenge

Director of the Centre for Seldom Heard Voices
Lee-Ann is Professor of Social Care in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. She is a Registered Social Worker and has always been committed to advancing the professional evidence base of social care practitioners.
View full profile

Dr Sally Lee

Programme Lead for the MA and BA Social Work programmes
Sally completed her Post-Doctoral Research in 2016, exploring social work practice, physical disability and sexual well-being. Sally is Programme Lead for the MA and BA Social Work programmes and teaches across both programmes leading the Professional Practice with Adults units and the First Placement unit with the BA students.
View full profile

Stevie Corbin-Clarke

Research Assistant
Stevie Corbin-Clarke is a research assistant in the Department of Social Work and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University. She graduated with a degree in Primary Education (BA Hons) from the University of Chichester in 2017 and joined BU shortly after. She works across multiple research centres, including the NCCDSW and The Centre for Seldom Heard Voices and Marginalized Communities. She has a passion for qualitative research methods and engaging with vulnerable groups and sensitive issues.
View full profile
NCCDSW © 2025. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
Website Design Dorset - Good Design Works
Skip to content