Fraud acceptance hits tipping point as half (50%) of UK adults say first party fraud is ‘reasonable’

• Retail non-delivery, council tax and mobile phone insurance fraud most common

• Young adults driving behaviour – with a third aged 24-34 involved

• Education needed to tackle society’s growing acceptance

One in two UK adults (50%) now believe it is ‘reasonable’ to commit first‑party fraud, according to new research from the UK’s fraud prevention service, Cifas.

Its latest Fraud Behaviours Survey also shows that 1 in 13 adults (8%) say they have committed first-party fraud, when someone knowingly misrepresents their identity or provides false information for financial or material gain, which is unchanged since the first survey ran in 2021.

Meanwhile, exactly a third of adults (33%) aged 25–34 say they have been involved in first‑party fraud, making them the most likely age group to commit or be connected to fraudulent behaviour.

The research also reveals the types of first‑party fraud most committed or known about. Retail non‑delivery fraud – falsely claiming an item never arrived – is the most prevalent, with 18% saying they or someone they know has done this. This is followed by Single Person Discount (council tax) fraud, with 1 in 6 (16%) admitting involvement, and 15% in mobile phone insurance fraud.

Geographically, the findings show that first‑party fraud is most common in London, with 26% of residents saying they have committed this crime, followed by the West Midlands (24%) and the East of England (23%), underlining the issue is not confined to one region but is widespread.

The survey also highlights growing confusion over what constitutes illegal behaviour, particularly around activities such as money muling, retail non‑delivery fraud, and falsifying information on mortgage applications – further reinforcing the risk that fraud can be dismissed as low impact.

Mike Haley, CEO of Cifas, said: “There is a growing and dangerous misconception that first‑party fraud is a victimless crime. Our research shows how easily everyday behaviours are being justified, despite the very real harm they cause, and the consequences people can face if they have committed them. 

“Education, clear consequences, and cross‑sector collaboration are critical if we are to challenge these attitudes and prevent fraud from becoming increasingly normalised.”

Download the Fraud Behaviours Survey 2025 report to explore more findings.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information, please contact Hayley Paterson, Cifas Press and PR Manager, on 07494 751992 or press@cifas.org.uk.

About Cifas

Cifas is the UK’s leading not-for-profit fraud prevention service with nearly 800 members from across key economic sectors including banking, retail, insurance, and telecoms. Cifas protects businesses and individuals from fraud through the sharing of data and intelligence sharing between the private, public and third sectors. In addition to providing products and services – which helped businesses prevent more than £2.4 billion in fraud losses in 2025 – Cifas delivers specialist training through its Cifas Fraud and Cyber Academy and Digital Learning programme.

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Contact us at press@cifas.org.uk