A Scottish charity has been set up to help people affected by cyber or fraud crime.

In light of homeowners in Dumfries and Galloway receiving letters warning them that cybercriminals are likely to have published medical data about them, the Cyber and Fraud Hub has been formed in response to a swift rise in calls from concerned members of the public to its helpline.

Describing itself as a charity dedicated to supporting individuals across Scotland who have fallen victim to cyber and fraud crimes, the initiative has been established by the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland in response to a significant increase in public concerns and incidents reported through its helpline.

Mission to Protect

The Hub said its mission is to ensure that individuals across Scotland receive the support they need when they are most vulnerable as its team “is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to listen, provide reassurance, and guide victims through the process of recovery.”

Jude McCorry, CEO of Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland, said the fight against fraud is everyone’s problem, but no one’s priority, and it has been made the priority of the Hub.

“The Cyber and Fraud Hub meets a vital need for support for individuals who find themselves victims of cyber and fraud crimes,” McCorry. “The impact can be immense, both mentally and financially.”

In the past year, calls to the Cyber and Fraud Centre incident response helpline have doubled, with 60% of inquiries coming from individuals rather than businesses.

The Cyber and Fraud Hub is built on strong relationships with Police Scotland and the banking sector, leveraging their collective expertise to support victims effectively.

Andy Freeburn of Police Scotland, a trustee of the Cyber and Fraud Hub, said: “I have seen all the fantastic collaborative work achieved over the last year in combating fraud. The Hub will deliver programs of education and partnership working to help communities and individuals build resilience against cyber and fraud crime.”

Dan Raywood Senior Editor SC Media UK

Dan Raywood is a B2B journalist with more than 20 years of experience, including covering cybersecurity for the past 16 years. He has extensively covered topics from Advanced Persistent Threats and nation-state hackers to major data breaches and regulatory changes.

He has spoken at events including 44CON, Infosecurity Europe, RANT Conference, BSides Scotland, Steelcon and ESET Security Days.

Outside work, Dan enjoys supporting Tottenham Hotspur, managing mischievous cats, and sampling craft beers.