Entrust backs cyber helpline to help fraud victims

Entrust has partnered with The Cyber Helpline to expand support for victims of fraud and cybercrime, in a move expected to help more than 1,000 people in the US and UK.

Under the arrangement, Entrust will fund more than 3,200 hours of specialist support for people dealing with cyber incidents, online fraud and other forms of digital harm. It will also connect its identity and cybersecurity specialists with The Cyber Helpline through volunteer work, including mentoring and knowledge-sharing.

The move comes as cybercrime continues to affect large numbers of people, while many victims struggle to find practical help after reporting incidents. According to The Cyber Helpline, one in seven adults and one in five young people are affected by cybercrime each year, and 98% of those who report it receive no meaningful support or route to justice.

The charity provides free assistance to people dealing with hacked accounts, scams, cyberstalking, harassment and related online threats. It combines round-the-clock self-help resources with one-to-one support from trained volunteers and specialist staff.

Since 2018, more than two million people have accessed its guidance, while more than 100,000 have received direct support, according to the organisation. The new backing from Entrust is intended to extend that reach in both the UK and US.

Support gap

The partnership reflects growing attention to the aftermath of cybercrime for individuals, rather than focusing only on prevention and corporate security. For many victims, the immediate challenge is not just reporting an incident, but understanding what happened, limiting further damage and regaining control of compromised accounts or personal information.

That has increased demand for services that can offer technical advice alongside support for people dealing with the disruption caused by fraud and online abuse. The Cyber Helpline says its model is designed to address both the technical and human effects of cyber incidents.

"The Cyber Helpline was created because people experiencing cybercrime, fraud and online harm need more than information or signposting. They need practical help from people who understand both the technology and the human impact of what has happened," said Rory Innes, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of The Cyber Helpline.

He said the partnership would extend that work to more victims. "Entrust understands better than most the importance of protecting identities and building digital trust, which makes them a natural partner. Their support will help us put specialist cybersecurity expertise directly into the hands of more victims, helping people understand what has happened, take action and regain control," Innes said.

Volunteer input

Beyond the funded support hours, the agreement also includes volunteer contributions from Entrust staff. Those efforts are expected to focus on mentoring and sharing specialist knowledge with The Cyber Helpline team, adding capacity as demand for help grows.

Entrust, which operates in more than 150 countries, focuses on identity and security services for organisations. Its involvement with The Cyber Helpline marks a consumer-facing effort tied to the effects of fraud, scams and identity-related cybercrime on individuals.

Tony Ball, Chief Executive Officer of Entrust, said the company viewed the issue in personal as well as statistical terms. "Behind every cybercrime statistic is a person whose life has been disrupted," Ball said.

"We're proud to partner with The Cyber Helpline to help more people get the expert support they need to recover and move forward with confidence," he added.