Some of the world’s biggest tech companies banded together to protect UK consumers from online scams, fake adverts, and romance fraud in a pledge with the Home Secretary.

With fraud being the most common crime in the UK, the government has joined forces with leading tech companies – Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, Match Group, Microsoft, Snapchat, TikTok, X (Twitter) and YouTube – to develop and commit to the Online Fraud Charter, the first agreement of its kind in the world.

“The Online Fraud Charter is a big step forward in our efforts to protect the public from sophisticated, adaptable and highly organised criminals,” James Clevery, home secretary said.

“An agreement of this kind has never been done on this scale before and I am exceptionally pleased to see tech firms working with us to turn the tide against fraudsters.”

Services have committed to bring in a raft of measures to help protect people from fraud and scam content when using their sites. Actions include verifying new advertisers and promptly removing any fraudulent content.

There will also be increased levels of verification on peer-to-peer marketplaces, and people using online dating services will have the opportunity to prove they are who they say they are.

The charter is set to bring in a swath of measures aiming to protect people from online fraud and scams.

Companies are set to verify new advertisers and promptly remove any fraudulent content, as well as increasing levels of verification on peer-to-peer marketplaces, such as online dating sites.

The cohort of companies is expected to support tough action to crack down on illegal adverts and ads for age-restricted products, such as alcohol or gambling, being seen by children.

Further, an action plan, agreed to by the Online Advertising Taskforce, will be published, setting out steps industry and government are taking to tackle harms and increase protections for children.

Such tasks include developing a base of evidence, improving information sharing, and promoting industry best practice.

“Our work does not end here – I will continue to ensure we collaborate across government, and with law enforcement and the private sector, to ensure everyone in the UK is better protected from fraud,” the home secretary added.

The agreement has come following discussions between government, the private sector, and law enforcement, and was spearheaded by Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, and Anthony Browne MP, an Anti-Fraud Champion.

“This is a very welcome commitment which has been created thanks to our close collaboration with some of the world’s biggest, and best, tech companies,” Tugendhat said.

“I have every confidence this charter will be an important step forward in our collective efforts to protect the public from fraud.”

The tech firms also aim to target online fraud, and commit to running direct routes for law enforcement to report suspicious activity taking place on the services, making it easier to quickly identify and remove fraudulent content and protect users.

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said: “Fraud is now the most common crime in the UK, with online scammers targeting the most vulnerable in society.”

Fraud does account for around 40% of all crime in England and Wales, with data from UK Finance showing almost 80% of all authorised pushed payment fraud originates from social media or a fake website.

“By joining forces with these tech giants we will continue to crack down on fraudsters, making sure they have nowhere to hide online,” Sunak added.

Last year, one in 17 UK residents reported being a victim of fraud, with over three million fraud incidents recorded. The government has already attempted to take action on this, with the latest Crime Survey in England and Wales showing that incidents of fraud feel by 13% in a year.

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“The nature of online fraud is constantly evolving and tech companies are continually adapting and improving their approaches to combat this criminal activity,” Antony Walker, deputy chief executive officer of techUK said.

“The charter builds on measures that tech firms already have in place to defend against online fraud and will enable better and more consistent cooperation between the private sector, government and law enforcement.”

The charter’s signatories have voluntarily pledged to implement its measures within six months.

The charter goes hand in hand with other work the UK has done to fight online fraud, and the Security Minister will host a global summit on London in 2024 on the subject.