LoginThe Fraud Act; Why, When and How?
This online session provides a practical overview of how and when the Fraud Act can be used to tackle serious criminal offending in a Trading Standards context. Through real-world examples, case studies and interactive exercises, delegates will explore the key offences, evidential requirements and investigative considerations that can make fraud legislation a powerful enforcement tool.
Learn how to identify cases where fraud offences may be more appropriate than regulatory legislation, build stronger investigations and make informed enforcement decisions when dealing with high-harm offenders.
About this Training Course
Who is this course suitable for:
Designed for Trading Standards professionals involved in investigating serious criminal offending, particularly where conduct may exceed the threshold of regulatory legislation. The course is especially relevant to officers dealing with doorstep crime, organised crime groups, consumer fraud and the abuse of positions of trust.
This course will cover:
- High-impact criminality within the consumer protection landscape
- When and how the Fraud Act can be applied to Trading Standards investigations
- Key Fraud Act offences relevant to Trading Standards enforcement
- Essential investigative considerations
- Key offences under the Theft Act and their relationship to fraud offences
- The concepts of mens rea, dishonesty and deception
- Similarities and differences between Fraud Act offences and regulatory offences
- Fraudulent trading and the abuse of positions of trust
- Practical case studies and exercises to reinforce learning
By the end of this session, participants will:
- Understand when fraud offences should be considered alongside or instead of regulatory legislation
- Be able to identify offences and evidential opportunities under the Fraud Act
- Gain a clearer understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of fraud legislation
- Feel more confident investigating serious consumer crime, rogue trading and fraud-related offending
- Be better equipped to make effective enforcement decisions and build stronger cases
Our Trainers/Presenters
Chris King and Gerry Wintrip
Chris and Gerry are highly experienced investigators and trainers, specialising in the prevention of doorstep crime, scams and consumer fraud. Chris has recently left his role as head of regulatory services at a West Midlands Council to specialise in providing training and consultancy services. Gerry has a long career, both as a Police Officer and then Trading Standards officer, specialising in the prosecution of rogue trading and similar offences against vulnerable residents.
Together they deliver engaging and interactive training to practitioners, which aims to provide knowledge, confidence and processes to deliver vital enforcement services at a local authority level.
Schedules and Booking Details
Available Session:
- Date: 5 October 2026 - 09:30 - 12:30
- Rate: Members £50 (£60 inc VAT) Non Members £140 (£168 inc VAT)
- Location: via MS Teams
- CPPD: 3 hours
PLEASE NOTE: By clicking on the above link, you will be taken to CTSI's Booking Portal, where you can select your session and enter your details. Our general Terms and Conditions are here.
