Combatting Bogus Traders – Op Yarran #FraudFree2026

Combatting Bogus Traders – Op Yarran #FraudFree2026

Good afternoon,

Last week, officers and staff from Hampshire & IOW Constabulary and a multitude of partner agencies were involved in Operation Yarran, designed to target bogus traders – more news to follow soon.  Please Stop! Think Fraud when someone knocks on your door, drops a leaflet through your letter box, advertised on social media etc offering to do work in and around your home.

Please don’t leave it to chance, if you need work doing on your home or garden, please consult “Buy With Confidence” the list of Trading Standards checked and vetted tradespeople: https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/ or for residents living on  the Isle of Wight, the Trader Approval Scheme: https://digitalservices.iow.gov.uk/tas/  

Please do share this important update with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for their own Hampshire Alert: https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/ 

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been defrauded and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Report Fraud either by phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/ 

However, if a fraud or other crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report non-fraud crime online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential, support:  https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/  or phone 0808 178 1641

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726 or your phone provider.

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team