Charities play a vital role in society, often operating on tight budgets while delivering essential services to communities. Yet this very trust can make them attractive targets for fraudsters and cybercriminals. In an increasingly digital world, improving resilience to fraud and cybercrime is not just a technical necessity — it’s fundamental to protecting beneficiaries, safeguarding donations, and preserving public trust.
Unique challenges
The charity sector faces unique challenges when it comes to fraud prevention. Limited resources, heavy reliance on volunteers, and a focus on service delivery can sometimes mean that cybersecurity and anti-fraud measures are under-prioritised. However, the consequences of a successful attack can be devastating: financial loss, operational disruption, reputational damage, and reduced donor confidence.
Common risks include phishing attacks, CEO fraud (where scammers impersonate senior executives to request payments), ransomware, and misuse of charitable funds. Cybercrime is evolving rapidly, and charities are increasingly being targeted with sophisticated scams designed to exploit vulnerabilities in both technology and human behaviour.
To combat these risks, charities must embed fraud and cyber awareness into their culture. Training staff and volunteers to recognise threats, implementing robust financial controls, and adopting secure IT practices are all essential steps. It's not enough to have policies on paper — resilience requires an ongoing commitment to vigilance, education, and improvement.
Free resources for charities
Fortunately, charities do not have to navigate these challenges alone. A range of excellent resources and support is available to help them strengthen their defences:
- The Fraud Advisory Panel provides a wealth of guidance, including resources that outline common fraud risks and how to mitigate them
- The Charity Commission for England and Wales has issued best practice guidance on protecting charities from fraud and cybercrime
- The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) resources offer simple, accessible advice on keeping devices, data, and systems secure, and include a Small Charity Guide
- Charities can join initiatives like Take Five to Stop Fraud, which helps individuals and organisations develop the confidence to challenge suspicious activity
- The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (ECRC) offers practical advice and affordable services tailored to charities, including free online cyber security awareness sessions for charity teams
Fraud and cybercrime are not problems that can be eliminated completely — but they can be significantly reduced. By taking proactive steps now, charities can protect their funds and their ability to deliver vital services. Building resilience is not just about defence; it's about securing the future of charitable work in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
