Disabled people are more at risk of becoming victims of fraud as incidents have risen across England and Wales, recent data reveals.
People who are disabled are nearly 50% more likely to be successfully targeted in a fraud-related incident in comparison to non-disabled people, according to a recent ONS report.
Data collected from the Crime Survey for England and Wales recorded 4.2 million fraud incidents between March 2024 and March 2025 – a 31% increase on the previous year.
Victim Support Chief Executive Katie Kempen said: “The huge rise in fraud cases is absolutely shocking.
“Fraud doesn’t just drain bank accounts – it destroys trust, damages mental health and wellbeing, and leaves many victims feeling vulnerable, ashamed and alone.”
Kempen claimed that fraud is at “epidemic levels”, and argued that the government needs to do more to meet “the scale of the challenge” and support victims.
She added: “We urgently need greater recognition of the vital importance of independent support services to help victims cope, rebuild and recover their money – as well as clear, measurable government targets for reducing this type of crime. Victims deserve nothing less.”
According to Take Five to Stop Fraud, individuals with learning disabilities may be more at risk of becoming a victim due to missing the “subtle warning signs” used by criminals in scams such as impersonation or romance fraud.
A 2025 report by National Trading Standards exploring neurodiversity and fraud victimhood stated that neurodivergent individuals are “less likely to believe they are at risk of victimhood” and have “high confidence levels in being able to spot fraud”.
The report said: “People who are neurodivergent experience the world differently from those considered neurotypical – they process information, think, learn and interact in different ways.”
In addition to highlighting disabled people as likely fraud victims, the ONS report also revealed that women were 21% more likely to become victims in comparison to men.
It also showed that individuals with lower incomes were 11% more likely to be successfully targeted than higher earners.
And while single people were less likely to become victims, the data recorded that separated, divorced or widowed people were 17% more likely to become victims of fraud over married individuals.
The most frequent type of fraud was found to be bank and credit account fraud, which saw a 30% increase in 2025 to approximately 2.4 million incidents.
The report also measured the impact on the victims, stating that seven out of ten fraud victims said that the incident affected them emotionally, with 23% experiencing a loss of confidence and feelings of vulnerability.
A City of London Police spokesperson said: “Fraud can have a devastating impact, both financially and emotionally, and sadly fraudsters will target anyone including those who are vulnerable.
“Anyone who has become a victim of fraud should always contact Report Fraud to make a report about what has happened.
“This will help to not only support the effort to tackle fraud offending and build intelligence, but the victim can receive vital support they need.
“Fraud can be reported at reportfraud.police.uk and by phone on 0300 123 2040.”
Featured image by Clint Patterson on Unsplash.
