tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38615464281599830792024-02-19T02:25:50.001+00:00Chearsley Community MessagesInformation and Advice from a variety of sources
for the residents of Chearsley in BuckinghamshireUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-8507884812102430162017-02-10T07:37:00.001+00:002017-02-10T07:37:58.166+00:00Email: "...in your area"<i>This is a message sent via Action Fraud Alert and has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police.</i><br />
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If you receive an e-mail entitled ‘<i><b>paedophile alert in your area</b></i>’ or ‘<i><b>sex offender map of your area</b></i>’ from Neighbourhood Watch, do not click on the link as it is fraudulent. <br /><br />If you receive the e-mail please report it to <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/" target="_blank">Action Fraud</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" border="0" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33iEnE8Mu-jWCo4jj8Owqq64C9VATr-iDKdiIfEZlXV5JmWx-5OpCtMXxZdUjiENo4k9S0Dr7qs8HXNdSBiDTTpkh_l35yEoPBnmeLSOcrYN5AuaAJesBYZ6iivkwlSeEYE_VHEJBQCR/s1600/TVP.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-75146701114963775782017-02-06T23:30:00.000+00:002017-02-07T08:49:05.787+00:00Thames Valley Police rural crime campaign starts today<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police.</i><br />
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Between Monday 6 and Tuesday 28 February, Thames Valley Police is working with our partners on a campaign that targets rural crime affecting businesses and farms in our region. We need your support. <br /><br />Events are taking place all across the Thames Valley aiming to help our rural businesses to prevent themselves, their properties and in many cases their livelihoods, from becoming victims of crime. <br /><br />Free tack marking, discounted property marking and a roaming police station distributing advice are just a few of the events taking place. These will all be advertised by your local officers, so make sure to keep an eye on your Thames Valley or Country Watch alerts, your local @TVP Twitter account, and for posters and leaflets in your area. If you can't make it along to any of the events, join us for a web chat at 6.30pm on Thursday 23 February on this link: <a href="http://thamesvp.coverpage.coveritlive.com/" target="_blank">http://thamesvp.coverpage.coveritlive.com/</a> <br /><br />There is a digital campaign, too. Search #TVPRural on Twitter to see what our country-based officers are up to, to watch our campaign videos, and to share some interesting facts and statistics about rural crime with your own followers. We’ll be sending advice and information to our Country Watch and Thames Valley Alert recipients too.<br /><br />We want to take the opportunity to understand your perceptions of rural crime, so we’re running a survey all this month. Tell us what you think of our communications and help us to improve our service to you. We’ll be sharing the link through Alerts and on our social media networks soon.<br /><br />Finally, we’re publishing our first ever Country Watch Spring Edition, packed full of information, advice, and interesting items for our rural residents and businesses. Read our first ever Country Watch Edition on this link: http://releasd.com/0904 <br /><br />In summary, you can support our campaign by: <br />
<ol>
<li>Participating in our 'Perceptions of Rural Crime' survey</li>
<li>Joining our web chat at 6.30pm on Thursday 23 February</li>
<li>Liking and sharing our #TVPRural social media content </li>
<li>Coming along to any events taking place near you</li>
<li>Sharing our Country Watch Spring Edition with your friends, family and colleagues </li>
</ol>
We hope that you enjoy our campaign and that you find it interesting and helpful.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" border="0" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33iEnE8Mu-jWCo4jj8Owqq64C9VATr-iDKdiIfEZlXV5JmWx-5OpCtMXxZdUjiENo4k9S0Dr7qs8HXNdSBiDTTpkh_l35yEoPBnmeLSOcrYN5AuaAJesBYZ6iivkwlSeEYE_VHEJBQCR/s1600/TVP.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-14965992593368613642017-01-26T05:45:00.000+00:002017-01-26T05:45:04.458+00:00Message from the Assistant Chief Constable <i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police.</i><br />
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Earlier this week, the latest Thames Valley Police Chief’s Review was published in which Chief Constable Francis Habgood updated on the work the Force is doing to keep pace with the changing policing landscape.<br />
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Over the last year we have reviewed the way we respond to and investigate incidents and crime in our communities to see if our structure and processes effectively manage the demand from and the needs of the public.<br />
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In response to this we will, during the summer, be making changes to the way we are structured working within three key areas: investigation, response and neighbourhood. Our aim is to create a more effective and efficient police service which will ensure that we can provide the best service to you when you need us.<br />
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We have mapped out where our demand for service is, ensuring that resources are targeted at the areas of greatest need, at times of greatest need and to the most vulnerable in our communities. This will mean that in some areas and at certain times we will have more or less police officers available.<br />
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I would like to reassure you now that this is not about withdrawing our resources from our communities it is about providing a better service.<br />
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We are committed to delivering an improved service: one which ensures we have the right number of officers on duty to respond quickly to a call for service if needed; one which supports our communities with dedicated officers working with you to solve local problems and one which sadly, if you are a victim of crime, ensures the right people are there to get you justice.<br />
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Over the coming months, we will talk more to you about the changes ahead.<br />
Rest assured our officers, staff and volunteers will continue to work tirelessly in partnership to make our communities safer.<br />
<b><br />
Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Ross</b><br />
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Watch the Chief’s Review <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSdvwwDipYY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSdvwwDipYY</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" border="0" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33iEnE8Mu-jWCo4jj8Owqq64C9VATr-iDKdiIfEZlXV5JmWx-5OpCtMXxZdUjiENo4k9S0Dr7qs8HXNdSBiDTTpkh_l35yEoPBnmeLSOcrYN5AuaAJesBYZ6iivkwlSeEYE_VHEJBQCR/s1600/TVP.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-47362453265966667712017-01-24T07:34:00.002+00:002017-01-24T07:34:45.636+00:00Payment diversion alert <i>This is a message sent via Action Fraud Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau).</i><br />
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Fraudsters are emailing members of the public who are expecting to make a payment for property repairs. The fraudsters will purport to be a tradesman who has recently completed work at the property and use a similar email address to that of the genuine tradesman. They will ask for funds to be transferred via bank transfer. Once payment is made the victims of the scam soon realise they have been deceived when the genuine tradesman requests payment for their services.<br /><br /><b>Protect yourself: </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Always check the email address is exactly the same as previous correspondence with the genuine contact. </li>
<li>For any request of payment via email verify the validity of the request with a phone call to the person who carried out the work.</li>
<li>Check the email for spelling and grammar as these signs can indicate that the email is not genuine.</li>
<li>Payments via bank transfer offer no financial protection; consider using alternative methods such as a credit card or PayPal which offer protection and an avenue for recompense.</li>
</ul>
If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud" target="_blank">http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud</a> or by telephone 0300 123 2040.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" border="0" data-popupalt-original-title="" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33iEnE8Mu-jWCo4jj8Owqq64C9VATr-iDKdiIfEZlXV5JmWx-5OpCtMXxZdUjiENo4k9S0Dr7qs8HXNdSBiDTTpkh_l35yEoPBnmeLSOcrYN5AuaAJesBYZ6iivkwlSeEYE_VHEJBQCR/s1600/TVP.jpg" title="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-54820930268433737882017-01-11T09:39:00.001+00:002017-01-11T09:39:41.346+00:00Fake Amazon emails claim you have placed an order<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
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Action Fraud has received several reports from victims who have been sent convincing looking emails claiming to be from Amazon. The spoofed emails from “<b>service@amazon.co.uk</b>” claim recipients have made an order online and mimic an automatic customer email notification. <br />The scam email claims recipients have ordered an expensive vintage chandelier. Other reported examples include: Bose stereos, iPhones and luxury watches. <br /><br />The emails cleverly state that if recipients haven’t authorised the transaction they can click on the help centre link to receive a full refund. The link leads to an authentic-looking website, which asks victims to confirm their name, address, and bank card information.<br /><br />Amazon says that suspicious e-mails will often contain: <br />
<ul>
<li>Links to websites that look like Amazon.co.uk, but aren't Amazon.co.uk.</li>
<li>Attachments or prompts to install software on your computer.</li>
<li>Typos or grammatical errors.</li>
<li>Forged (or spoofed) e-mail addresses to make it look like the e-mail is coming from Amazon.co.uk.</li>
</ul>
Amazon will never ask for personal information to be supplied by e-mail.<br />You can read more about identifying suspicious emails claiming to be from Amazon by visiting this <b><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201489210" target="_blank">Amazon page</a></b>.<br /><br />To report a fraud or cyber crime, call us on 0300 123 2040.<br />
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<a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="99" src="https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/sites/all/themes/actionfraud/images/svg/logo.svg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-90866020711084643702016-12-14T07:53:00.001+00:002016-12-14T07:54:10.112+00:00Lloyds Bank - Fake Bank Letters<i>This is a message sent via Action Fraud Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau).</i><br />
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<b>Lloyds customers</b> should be on the lookout for a new sophisticated fraud that involves fraudsters sending fake bank letters.<br />
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The convincing letters being sent are a replica template from Lloyds and include their logo, address and signature from a customer service representative.<br />
The letter tells recipients that there have been some “unusual transactions” on their personal account and asks them to call a number highlighted in bold to confirm they are genuine. <br />
When victims call the number, an automated welcome message is played and the caller is asked to enter their card number, account number and sort code followed by their date of birth.Victims are then instructed to enter the first and last digit of their security number.<br />
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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/personal-banking/savings/would-fall-latest-ingenious-bank-scam/" target="_blank">The fraud was spotted by the Daily Telegraph</a> who was alerted to it by a reader who had three identical letters sent to an office address. On separate occasions the Daily Telegraph ran some tests using fake details and were passed to fraudsters who claimed to be from a Lloyds contact centre. The bank has confirmed that the phone number and letters are fake. <br />
The letters are essentially a sophisticated phishing attempt and serves as a warning to consumers to question written correspondence from their banks.<br />
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If you are ever suspicious about correspondence from your bank you should call the customer serviced number on the back of their card.<br />
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To report a fraud and cyber crime, call us on 0300 123 2040 or visit <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud">http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" border="0" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33iEnE8Mu-jWCo4jj8Owqq64C9VATr-iDKdiIfEZlXV5JmWx-5OpCtMXxZdUjiENo4k9S0Dr7qs8HXNdSBiDTTpkh_l35yEoPBnmeLSOcrYN5AuaAJesBYZ6iivkwlSeEYE_VHEJBQCR/s1600/TVP.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-71924281012599710292016-11-10T08:03:00.001+00:002016-11-10T08:04:15.841+00:00Neighbourhood Police NewsletterThe <b>Neighbourhood Police Update</b> for November is now available <a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n417" target="_blank">here</a>.
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<a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" border="0" data-popupalt-original-title="" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33iEnE8Mu-jWCo4jj8Owqq64C9VATr-iDKdiIfEZlXV5JmWx-5OpCtMXxZdUjiENo4k9S0Dr7qs8HXNdSBiDTTpkh_l35yEoPBnmeLSOcrYN5AuaAJesBYZ6iivkwlSeEYE_VHEJBQCR/s1600/TVP.jpg" title="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-85322218149361912882016-09-14T08:09:00.002+01:002016-09-14T08:09:36.651+01:00Phishing Email Alert <i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
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There is a phishing email currently in circulation that claims to be from the City of London Police. The departments that it claims to represent include the ‘Fraud Intelligence Unit’ and the ‘National Fraud Intelligence Bureau’. The email is titled ‘compensation fund’ and has a letter attachment that claims to be offering financial compensation to victims of fraud. The letter uses the City of London Police logo.<br />
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The letter states that in order for compensation to be arranged, the receiver of the email should reply disclosing personal information. It states that HSBC and the South African Reserve Bank have been chosen to handle the compensation claims. All of these claims are false.<br />
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The email and letter are fraudulent and should not be replied to.<br />
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Protect Yourself:<br />
<ul>
<li> Opening attachments or clicking links contained within emails from unknown sources could result in your device being infected with malware or a virus.</li>
<li>The City of London Police and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau will never email you asking for you to disclose personal information.</li>
<li>If you believe you have become a victim of this fraudulent email get your device checked by a professional and make a report to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre: <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/">http://www.actionfraud.police.uk</a>
</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/sites/all/themes/actionfraud/images/svg/logo.svg" height="99" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-56460016994937624872016-08-11T08:57:00.000+01:002016-08-11T08:57:01.051+01:00Advance Fee Fraud<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
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People selling their items on online platforms are falling victim to a new type of advance fee fraud. This involves a fraudster, posing as a buyer, sending an email to the seller (victim), agreeing to the full asking price of the item. They state that they are unable to collect the item themselves and will arrange for a courier to pick it up instead. <br /><br />The fraudster then sends a fake payment confirmation email from a different email address, one which falsely purports to be from a payment platform. In the course of the email exchange, the seller/victim is requested to pay the courier fee. Once the payment is made the contact is broken, the item is not picked up and the money paid for the ‘courier’ is gone. <br /><br />An example of the most recent emails received by the victim/seller, from the ‘Buyer’, read:<br /><br /><i>“I want you to consider this a deal as i am willing to pay your full asking price! i actually want to buy it for a family member who is urgently in need of it, i have checked through your posting and i'm fully satisfied with it. Unfortunately, i would not be able to come personally to view/collect, i work offshore as an instructor on a oil rig so i dont have time at all, but like i said i am 100% OK with the advert”</i><br /><br />Protect Yourself: <br />
<ul>
<li>Be wary when buyers wish to purchase items at the full asking price without viewing them. </li>
<li>Check the validity of the payment receipt confirmation</li>
<li>Avoid paying an advanced fee if you are a seller; should you choose to use a courier, arrange your own.</li>
<li>Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller/buyer. Feedback will give you useful information about recent transactions other buyers/sellers have made.</li>
<li>If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/">www.actionfraud.police.uk</a>.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/sites/all/themes/actionfraud/images/svg/logo.svg" height="99" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-82552793270863636292016-07-16T08:11:00.002+01:002016-07-16T08:36:54.621+01:00Upgrade Fraud<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
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Fraudsters are impersonating telephone service providers and contacting their clients offering a phone upgrade on a low monthly payment contract. The fraudsters will glean all your personal and financial details which will then be used to contact the genuine phone provider and order a new mobile phone handset. The fraudsters will either intercept the delivery before it reaches the victim’s address or order the handset to a different address.<br />
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Protect yourself <br />
<ul>
<li>Never provide your personal information to a third party from an unsolicited communication.</li>
<li>Obtain the genuine number of the organisation being represented and verify the legitimacy of the communication.</li>
<li>If the offer is too good to be true it probably is.</li>
<li>If you have provided personal information and you are concerned that your identity may be compromised consider Cifas Protection Registration.</li>
</ul>
If you have been a victim of fraud report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/">http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs93By50mbgaJBE-L796ERfhhyphenhyphenHjgEpZjyoe8E65iW4YrNh3pfGAUhpYYMGeD99cFrjz9UktdfWrYXieeGyhkEL1wJSCrQgFQx5OSr97KgOVwtdtJ1kbbyXK-CyJCyu0tutiX1z5RghMU/s320/ActionFraud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-24402967538075511312016-07-12T08:44:00.002+01:002016-07-19T10:04:37.436+01:00Holiday Booking Fraud<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
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With summer holidays fast approaching, individuals are often more exposed to travel booking frauds when looking for last minute package deals / cheap flights. Whether paying upfront for a family holiday or simply booking a flight, payments are transferred only to discover that the holiday / airline ticket does not exist and was sold to you by a bogus travel company. Fraudsters will often lure in potential customers with low prices and ‘one time only’ offers that are simply too good to pass up, requesting payment by the preferred method of direct bank transfer. <br />
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<b>Avoid</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Paying for a holiday / airline tickets / accommodation via direct bank transfer. No reputable company will ever request payment via this method. </li>
<li>Responding to unsolicited calls, texts or emails offering holidays at incredibly low prices.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Protect Yourself </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Avoid responding to unsolicited calls, texts or emails offering holidays at incredibly low prices </li>
<li>Whenever possible, pay for your holiday by credit card as it offers increased protection.</li>
<li>Always remember to look for the ‘https’ and locked padlock icon in the address bar before entering your payment details.</li>
<li>Never feel pressured to make a booking for fear that you will miss out on this ‘low price’ opportunity. If you have never used the company before, take your time to do some online research to ensure they are reputable. </li>
<li>Should you make a flight or hotel booking through a travel company, feel free to separately check with the hotel / particular airline that your booking does indeed exist.</li>
</ul>
If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/">www.actionfraud.police.uk</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRdFWNq0JV0a3bn8ehLgfmAxGxx4taPAFULhP7nT4m5hj9M4cl7621e-wAfb7NxsPkD_JxdLrJ1tqP2YLmgTtvTUbrgGrp3ce8lduROqlVCIV-IfC75lzDEzEEDiM6jFkTMhUqcbxdT8/s320/ActionFraud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-67516342611484469492016-07-05T14:54:00.006+01:002016-07-05T14:54:55.647+01:00Neighbourhood Police NewsletterThe <b>Neighbourhood Police Update</b> for July is now available <a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-n417?id=336943" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" border="0" data-popupalt-original-title="" height="44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33iEnE8Mu-jWCo4jj8Owqq64C9VATr-iDKdiIfEZlXV5JmWx-5OpCtMXxZdUjiENo4k9S0Dr7qs8HXNdSBiDTTpkh_l35yEoPBnmeLSOcrYN5AuaAJesBYZ6iivkwlSeEYE_VHEJBQCR/s1600/TVP.jpg" title="Click for the Thames Valley Police website" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-89262687615955717632016-07-04T19:27:00.000+01:002016-07-04T19:27:37.795+01:00Inheritance Fraud<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
<br />
Inheritance fraud usually occurs when you are told that someone very rich has died and you are in line to receive a huge inheritance. A fraudster who claims to be a Business Relations Manager from an overseas bank or legal official contacts you through email or a letter stating that a person sharing your family name has died and left behind a vast amount of money. The fraudster suggests that as you share the same family name as the deceased, you can be the beneficiary of the estate and rather than handing any ‘Inheritance Tax’ over to the government you can split the inheritance with the fraudster.<br />
<br />
The fraudster will emphasise the need for secrecy and warn you not to tell anyone else about the deal. To hurry you into making a hasty decision, they will also stress the need to act quickly.<br />
<br />
If you respond to the fraudster, they will ask you to pay various fees – for example: taxes, legal fees, banking fees etc. – so they can release your non-existent inheritance. Each time you make a payment, the fraudsters will come up with a reason why the inheritance cannot be paid out unless you make another payment. If you ask, they will also give you reasons why the fees cannot be taken from your inheritance and have to be paid up front.<br />
<br />
If you become reluctant to pay a fee or suggest you cannot afford it, the fraudsters will put pressure on you by reminding you how close you are to receiving a sum of money much greater than the fees you’ve already handed over, and of how much you’ve already paid out. The fraudsters may also ask for your bank details so they can pay the inheritance directly into your bank account. If you hand over your bank details, the fraudsters can use them to empty your account.<br />
<br />
<u>You could be a victim of inheritance fraud if: </u><br />
<ul>
<li>You’ve received an email or letter informing you that someone you may be related to has died without leaving a will and you may be in line to inherit.</li>
<li>You’ve paid fees to ‘research specialists’ who offer to sell you an estate report that includes information on the inheritance and how you can claim it.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>What should you do if you’re a victim of inheritance fraud?</u><br />
<ul>
<li>End all further contact with the fraudsters. Don’t send them any more money. Don’t give them your bank details.</li>
<li>If you have already given the fraudsters your bank account details, alert your bank immediately.</li>
<li>If you receive any threats from the fraudsters once you have stopped co-operating with them, alert the police immediately.</li>
<li>Be aware that you’re now likely to be a target for other frauds. Fraudsters often share details about people they have successfully targeted or approached, using different identities to commit further frauds. People who have already fallen victim to fraudsters are particularly vulnerable to the fraud recovery fraud. This is when fraudsters contact people who’ve already lost money through fraud and claim to be law enforcement officers or lawyers. They’ll advise the victim that they can help them recover their lost money – but request a fee. </li>
</ul>
<u>Protect yourself against inheritance fraud </u><br />
<ul>
<li>Although there are legitimate companies who make a living by tracking down heirs, they do not do it in this way. If you are asked for a fee for a report, it is very likely to be bogus.</li>
<li>Letters/documents provided by the fraudsters are generally badly written. Look out for spelling mistakes and poor grammar.</li>
<li>Beware if you are asked to contact a webmail address such as @Yahoo or @Hotmail. As a rule, legitimate law firms do not use them.</li>
<li>As in most cases of fraud, if the promise seems too good to be true, it most probably is.</li>
<li>If you have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/">www.actionfraud.police.uk</a></li>
</ul>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-11292753256612764592016-06-27T13:07:00.004+01:002016-06-27T13:07:50.606+01:00Fake Letter Boxes<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
<br />
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has noticed an increase in reports of fraudsters placing fake letter boxes on residential properties in an attempt to harvest the mail. Residents are sometimes unaware of the fake letterbox as the fraudsters will periodically remove the item, which may leave notable markings. The mail is then used to open various lines of credit with financial providers in the name of the innocent resident. <br />
<br />
<b>Protect Yourself </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Be vigilant and check for any suspicious activity, tampering of your post/letterbox or for suspicious glue markings on the wall.</li>
<li>Check all post received from financial institutions, even if it appears unsolicited.</li>
<li>Consider reporting theft of mail to your local police force and any cases of identity fraud to Action Fraud.</li>
<li>If you have been a victim of identity fraud consider Cifas Protection Registration (<a href="https://www.cifas.org.uk/protective_registration_form" target="_blank">https://www.cifas.org.uk/protective_registration_form</a>)</li>
<li>If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk./">www.actionfraud.police.uk.</a></li>
</ul>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-8171565489938260672016-06-13T11:52:00.000+01:002016-06-13T11:52:29.025+01:00Phishing Campaign Targeting University Students<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
<br />
A new phishing campaign which has hit students of UK universities claims that the student has been awarded an educational grant by the Department for Education. The email purports to have come from the finance department of the student’s university and tricks the recipient into clicking on a link contained in the message to provide personal and banking details. <br /><br />One victim reported that after submitting their sensitive information (including name, address, date of birth, contact details, telephone provider, bank account details, student ID, National Insurance Number, driving licence number and mother’s maiden name), they were taken to a spoofed website which appeared like a genuine website of their bank, where they were asked to type in their online banking login credentials.<br /><br />Protect Yourself: <br />
<ul>
<li>Do not click on any links or open attachments contained within unsolicited emails.</li>
<li>Do not reply to scam emails or contact the senders in any way. </li>
<li>If an email appears to have come from a person or organisation you know of but the message is unexpected or unusual, contact them directly via another method to confirm that they sent you the email.</li>
<li>If you receive an email which asks you to login to an online account via a link provided in the email, instead of clicking on the link, open your browser and go directly to the company’s website yourself.</li>
<li>If you have clicked on a link in the email, do not supply any information on the website that may open.</li>
</ul>
If you think you may have compromised the safety of your bank details and/or have lost money due to fraudulent misuse of your cards, you should immediately contact your bank, and report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/">www.actionfraud.police.uk</a>.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-13617503588822832822016-06-09T10:04:00.001+01:002016-06-09T10:04:08.052+01:00Neighbourhood Police NewsletterThe <b>Neighbourhood Police Update</b> for this month is now available <a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-n417?id=335299" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-20660822285866594012016-06-09T10:02:00.000+01:002016-06-09T10:02:17.175+01:00Euro 2016 Ticketing Fraud<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
<br />
The 2016 European Football Championships will begin shortly and those wanting to purchase last minute tickets are likely to be targeted by fraudsters posing as official sellers. Purchasing from an unauthorised seller or a ticket tout could leave you out of pocket; not only are the tickets advertised at inflated prices, there is a risk that the tickets purchased are counterfeit or do not exist. Any individual with a counterfeit ticket will be refused entry.<br />
<br />
<b>Resale Platform</b><br />
Consumers wanting to sell their tickets can do so through the resale platform, where tickets will be resold at face value. For further information please visit <a href="http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/ticketing/index.html" target="_blank">UEFA’s website</a>. Those seeking to purchase tickets are advised to check the site regularly as tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis and are likely to change regularly as different tickets become available to purchase. <br />
<ul>
<li>Only purchase tickets from an authorised seller by using the exchange portal.</li>
<li>When using the portal do not be encouraged to contact the seller privately and complete the transaction outside of the portal. </li>
<li>Be wary of purchasing tickets from a social media account. There is a risk that the ticket does not exist or is counterfeit. Consider conducting research on the information provided by the seller, for example a mobile phone number or email address used by the seller could alert you to any negative information associated to them online.</li>
<li>Avoid making payments through bank transfer or money transfer services, as the payment may not be recoverable. </li>
</ul>
If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/">www.actionfraud.police.uk</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-11149302862903219782016-05-10T17:21:00.001+01:002016-05-10T17:21:16.611+01:00Neighbourhood Police NewsletterThe <b>Neighbourhood Police Update</b> for May is now available <a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/pub-pg-nh-upds-N417?id=333278" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-41808689943948569642016-03-04T08:05:00.001+00:002016-03-04T08:05:49.811+00:00Tackling Child AbuseOne of the biggest barriers to reporting child abuse is people's fear of the consequences of being wrong - and potentially breaking up a family.<br />
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<br />
The County Council is supporting a national campaign launched on 3 March by the Department for Education to encourage members of the public to report child abuse.<br />
<br />
The campaign’s main message is that if you’re worried about a child or think their safety might be at risk, then it is important to tell someone. You don’t have to be absolutely certain about whether a child is being abused; if you have a feeling that something is not right, talk to your local children’s social care team who can look into it.<br />
<br />
Everyone has a role to play in helping to protect children. All children have a right to be safe and should be protected from all forms of abuse and neglect.<br />
It is not just up to social services, doctors and the police to spot the signs of abuse and neglect. It is important that we all look out for children and young people within our community who may be experiencing abuse or neglect. Members of the public, and particularly other parents, are in a unique position to spot concerns among children with whom they have contact - which may not be apparent to professionals.<br />
<br />
Some of the signs of abuse or neglect include changes in:<br />
<ul>
<li>Appearance – such as frequent unexplained injuries, consistently poor hygiene, matted hair, unexplained gifts, or a parent regularly collecting children from school when drunk</li>
<li>Behaviour - such as demanding or aggressive behavior, frequent lateness or absence from school, avoiding their own family, misusing drugs or alcohol, or being constantly tired</li>
<li>Communication – such as sexual or aggressive language, self-harming, becoming secretive and reluctant to share information or being overly obedient</li>
</ul>
A third of people who suspect child abuse, do nothing. Some people don’t act on their suspicions because they’re worried about being wrong. It is better to help children as early as possible so that action can be taken to help the child and support the family concerned.<br />
<br />
In 2014/15 more than 400,000 children in England were supported because someone noticed they needed help.<br />
<br />
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, visit <a href="http://www.gov.uk/reportchildabuse">www.gov.uk/reportchildabuse</a> to get the number for your local authority. For Buckinghamshire, call the First Response Team on 0845 460 0001 or email: <a href="mailto:secure-cypfirstresponse@buckscc.gcsx.gov.uk">secure-cypfirstresponse@buckscc.gcsx.gov.uk</a> <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-36224423765507787782016-03-04T07:57:00.002+00:002016-03-04T07:57:12.107+00:00 Neighbourhood Police NewsletterThe <b>Neighbourhood Police Update</b> for this month is now available <a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh-tvp-pol-area-n417" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-7198317360406237992015-12-01T17:10:00.000+00:002015-12-01T17:10:02.517+00:00Elderly Targeted by Fake Police OfficersACTION FRAUD:
<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
<br />
There has been a recent series of incidents whereby fraudsters either phone or attend the home address of elderly members of the public, claiming to be police officers.<br />
<br />
The fake officer/s will claim that they are investigating a fraud which they believe the elderly person to be a victim of. The fake officer/s will then request the bank cards and personal identification numbers (PIN) of the victim and claim these are needed for investigation purposes. If the first contact was made by a phone call, the fake officer/s will tell the victim that someone will be over to collect the evidence. In one case the victim was instructed to attend their local bank and withdraw all of the money from their account. The suspect was left alone in the victim’s house whilst the victim carried out the instructions.<br />
<br />
Protect Yourself <br />
<ul>
<li>Before letting anyone into your home who claims to be from any law enforcement agency, ask to see their identity card and check it by calling 101.</li>
<li>Ask if they can attend at a pre-arranged time when a family member or friend can also be present.</li>
<li>If you receive a phone call from a police officer, ask for their name and force and tell them you will call them back. Wait a few minutes and then use 101 to call them back through their force’s switchboard and verify their identity.</li>
<li>The Police will <b>never</b> ask for your PIN or passwords. Do not give this information to anyone.</li>
<li>The Police will <b>never</b> request that you withdraw/transfer any money to them.</li>
</ul>
If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud" target="_blank">online</a> or by telephone 0300 123 2040.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-86935448994662825512015-11-10T06:53:00.001+00:002015-11-10T06:53:34.655+00:00Have you taken steps to protect your home from burglary this winter?<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police.</i><br />
<br />
Have you taken a few simple steps to protect your home from opportunist thieves this winter?<br /><br />At this time of year there are traditionally more opportunist burglaries particularly between 5pm and 7pm when it is dark outside and people are yet to return home from work.<br />Officers will be patrolling neighbourhoods and burglary hot-spot areas across the area to identifying houses that may be at greater risk of burglary.<br /><br />Here's a few things you can do to protect your property: <br />
<ul>
<li>Don’t leave your home in darkness advertising the fact there is no one at home. Invest in a timer light switch and vary the time it comes on each day to make it look more natural. It can also be used with a radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home;</li>
<li>Perhaps purchase a fake/simulated TV device which lights up a room like a real TV;</li>
<li>Keep valuables out of sight and mark them with your house number and postcode using a UV pen; </li>
<li>Register your valuables via the Immobilise website and keep an inventory list. It’s free and takes just a few minutes;</li>
<li>If you have jewellery at home, photograph it for insurance purposes and consider storing it in a suitable safe;</li>
<li>Lock your doors and windows. If you have a UPVC door make sure you have double-locked it by lifting the handle and locking it with the key. Make sure the key is removed from the lock and out of reach;</li>
<li>If you’re going away, remember not to post details of your holiday on social networking websites, cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries and, if you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set before you leave;</li>
<li>Look out for your neighbours’ houses, especially when they’re not at home, and call 999 immediately if you see anything suspicious. If you want to report something which does not require an immediate response call Thames Valley Police’s non-emergency number 101.</li>
</ul>
For further crime reduction advice they can visit the Crime Prevention section of the <a href="http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/home-garden-security" target="_blank">TVP website</a>.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-74670910350729013972015-11-02T17:11:00.001+00:002015-11-02T17:18:38.890+00:00Volunteer Mentoring/Befriending with PACT<br />
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<a href="http://prisonadvice.org.uk/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPDfDMeQt6-G0Duoef-CEdyYhO9gWo9y_auQUeesH3pZPUcHpyjPyjyENTMzPftcVQfI14py4e6TPU9pTRTaSejj83Gp_bFISd8O337G1MyCSnajn9sIxO7yB8LPkoVYZOiuqOInRKJc/s200/PACT_Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Volunteering of any description is so important.<br />
We all have different skills, interests and passions and to have the chance to share some of those skills is a privilege!<br />
Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) provides support to offenders during their sentence and in the community, our Volunteer Mentors encourage full integration and social inclusion. Mentors provide such important and vital support to those who want to move forward with their life. <br />
We are looking for people who can encourage others, have a reliable and dependable attitude and have great communication skills!<br />
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As a volunteer mentor there is no end to the list of support you could be providing and activities you could do, but all of the support makes a huge difference to motivation, self-esteem and choices in life, as they re-enter society.<br />
We provide foundation and ongoing training and all our volunteers have regular support and opportunities to further their skills and knowledge.<br />
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator for MK and Bucks, Mim McConachie on: 07791548511 or email: <a href="mailto:miriam.mcconachie@prisonadvice.org.uk">miriam.mcconachie@prisonadvice.org.uk</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-75376789502140700252015-10-26T07:18:00.000+00:002015-10-26T07:18:14.375+00:00Talk Talk Cyber Attack<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Cyber Attack</b><br />Talk Talk, the phone and broadband provider, has been the victim of a cyber attack on their website commonly referred to as DDoS – distributed denial of service attack. This has led to hackers accessing Talk Talks servers and stealing personal data, which could affect over four million customers. It is currently unknown exactly what data has been stolen but Talk Talk has stated that there is a chance that some of the following data could have been accessed:<br />
<ul>
<li>Name and addresses</li>
<li>Dates of birth</li>
<li>Email addresses</li>
<li>Telephone numbers</li>
<li>Talk Talk account information</li>
<li>Credit card and banking details</li>
</ul>
<b>Protect yourself </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Be wary of any emails claiming to be from Talk Talk asking for additional information such as passwords even if they are able to tell you specific account details – this could be a phishing email and sent to gain access to your account.</li>
<li>If you have opened an email attachment please ensure you change the passwords for all your bank, email and online shopping accounts.</li>
<li>As well as e-mails be wary of any telephone calls claiming to be from Talk Talk that ask for additional information or want to gain remote access to your computer. Again they may tell you specific details about your account. If you get such a call do not give any details, terminate the call, use a separate telephone line/mobile phone and call Talk Talk back on one of their known numbers to ascertain if the call is genuine.</li>
<li>Monitor your bank accounts for any unusual activity that you believe may be fraudulent.</li>
</ul>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861546428159983079.post-48970571040924414112015-10-23T07:55:00.001+01:002015-10-23T07:55:26.796+01:00Pension Scam Alert - Cape Verde<i>This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert and has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)</i><br />
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The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has been alerted to a pension scam whereby cold callers continue to target members of the public aged 50 to 60 years old to release and transfer their pension early. Suspected firms who advertise and arrange pensions are offering investments in alternative commodities such as hotel developments or property in Cape Verde, and operate as unregulated collective investment schemes. <br /><br />Often, the cold calling ‘pension companies’ involved are neither regulated nor qualified to give financial advice and classify themselves as a ‘trustee’, ‘consultant’ or an ‘independent advisor’ and offer exceptionally high return rates for investors. <br /><br />Some victims have signed documents that authorises a limited company to be set up using their personal details, including utilising a Small Self–Administered Scheme (SSAS). Whilst SSAS accounts and limited companies are essential for legitimate schemes, the fact that victims are unaware that this will happen suggests that the scheme may not have been fully explained to them, increasing the likelihood that there may be an element of fraud involved.<br /><br /><b>Protect yourself:</b><br /><br />Further advice can be found at:<br /><a href="http://www.fca.org.uk/your-fca/documents/protect-your-pension-pot">http://www.fca.org.uk/your-fca/documents/protect-your-pension-pot</a><br /><a href="http://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/financial-services-products/pensions/protect">http://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/financial-services-products/pensions/protect</a><br /><a href="http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/individuals/dangers-of-pension-scams.aspx">http://www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/individuals/dangers-of-pension-scams.aspx</a><br /><br />Ensure that you request that the risks and growth rates are explained and that you fully understand them before transferring your pension<br /><br />Check whether the pension arrangement company is registered with the FCA. Registered companies can be checked using the FCA register online at: https://register.fca.org.uk/ <br /><br />Remember that if the offer seems too good to be true, then it generally is<br /><br />If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it <a href="http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud" target="_blank">online</a> or by telephone 0300 123 2040.<br />
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