 |
Neighbourhood Watch News Archive
|
|
Neighbourhood Watch News – June 2010 |
CREDIT CARD SCAM APPEARS AGAIN
This information has come via the NHWatch network in the village.
‘You receive a phone call from ‘someone’ claiming to be from the ‘security department’ for your credit card. They give you a lot of identifying information about you and your card, but then – and this is the IMPORTANT bit – they ask you for the 3-digit CVC number on the back of the card, allegedly to confirm that the card is in your possession. With this number, they can now make telephone and internet purchases, and you won’t know about it until you see your next statement.’
Details of this sort of scam have been well documented on various web-sites, such as:
www.snopes.com and www.hoax-slayer.com
Often, a simple ‘Google’ of a few key words will lead you towards relevant information.
The most important rule is – ‘Never, ever give out personal or security-related information to someone who calls you on the phone.’ If you do need to phone your bank or card company, ALWAYS use a phone number that you know is reliable, NEVER one given to you over the phone by an unknown caller. Banks or Credit-card companies, etc. will NEVER call you and ask for sensitive information over the phone or by e-mail, so if you receive such a request, treat it with the deepest suspicion.
MOBILE PHONE PURCHASE SCAM
The following scam has been reported in Flackwell Heath and Marlow.
‘Whilst away on holiday, a mobile phone is delivered in the victims name to their house, but intercepted by the ‘scammers’ who then disappear. The victims only find out what has happened when they receive notification from the phone company that direct debits have been set up in their name. The personal information is correct, although the bank details are wrong. When the victim contacts the phone company, they promptly inactivate the SIM card. However, that evening the victim gets an e-mail, purporting to be from the bank but with appalling grammar and spelling, asking him to provide the correct bank details so they can update their records.’
This is an example of how the scammers can use personal information obtained from insecurely discarded documents such as invoices, credit card slips, etc. to make illicit transactions.
There are various other scams associated with mobile phones, such as ‘cheap insurance’, bogus top-up charges, phoney (excuse the pun) cash-back offers, etc. If in doubt, check it out using Google or one of the web-sites listed above.
COLD-CALLING
If you are contacted by phone, e-mail or at the door with an ‘offer’ that seems too good to be true, then it probably is ‘too good to be true’. As they say ‘up North’, ‘You never get owt for nowt’! Should you feel inclined to follow up such an offer, don’t let anyone into your home unless you have someone with you, and don’t let yourself be ‘brow-beaten’ into accepting something that turns out to be much more expensive than the original ‘offer’. If in doubt, call Trading Standards.
For further information about Neighbourhood Watch, contact:
David Gresswell – Area Co-ordinator, Flackwell Heath
(Tel: 525019 e-mail: flackwell-nhwatch@talktalk.net)
Police General & Non-emergency number: 0845 8 505 505
Crimestoppers (Anonymous): 0800 555 111
Trading Standards (Consumer Direct): 0845 4 04 05 06 |
Neighbourhood Watch News – May 2010 |
THEFT OF CHARITY COLLECTION BAGS
We all receive charity collection bags through our letter boxes and many of us will give generously to the various genuine registered charities. However, the system is open to abuse with commercial companies posing as ‘charities’, and the collection of genuine charity bags by companies other than the charity for which they are intended. Most genuine collection vans are clearly identified and/or the driver carries ID. Make no mistake – the illegal collection of charity bags is theft, and as such is a reportable crime. One of our residents recently spotted the collection of a St John’s Ambulance bag by ‘unmarked white van’ but she was able to give the police the van registration number and a description of the driver. This information is of value to the police and if you should witness a similar event, their advice is: ‘…get a registration number and if the vehicle is still there, or has just left, call the Non-emergency number ASAP giving the reg. number and approx direction of travel and they may even be able to get a patrol car out as the van will likely as not still be in the area collecting more bags.’
For further information about Neighbourhood Watch, contact:
David Gresswell – Area Co-ordinator, Flackwell Heath
(Tel: 525019 e-mail: flackwell-nhwatch@talktalk.net)
Police General & Non-emergency number: 0845 8 505 505
Crimestoppers (Anonymous): 0800 555 111
Trading Standards (Consumer Direct): 0845 4 04 05 06 |
Neighbourhood Watch News – April 2010 |
SUMMERTIME and the pickings are easy……
By the time you read this, the clocks will have gone forward one hour and we will be enjoying British Summertime. Let’s hope that it’s a bit more summery than the ‘BBQ Summer’ of 2009. Don’t forget to re-set any security timers to reflect this change.
The onset of warmer weather and lighter evenings traditionally signals an increase in sneak-in thefts, when the opportunist burglar will take advantage of an open door or window. Police forces around the country are launching campaigns to encourage householders to keep doors locked and windows secured, even when the house is occupied. One innovative police authority will be using ‘Bluetooth’ technology to send summer campaign messages and ‘alerts’ to mobile phones in the vicinity. People are more relaxed about security when they are at home, but while they are in the back garden or asleep, their property is particularly vulnerable. It is essential that easy points of access like front doors remain locked, particularly whilst you are relaxing or gardening at the rear of the house. At night, all ground floor doors and windows should be locked and other vulnerable points considered.
GARDEN SECURITY
As Spring and Summer approach, we all look forward to enjoying time in our gardens, even if it does mean occasionally mowing the lawn! However, we would be very annoyed if someone stole garden tools and equipment or valuable garden furniture, ceramics, or even ornamental fish. Taking a few simple precautions can make life harder for the opportunist thief, and help keep our property safe.
- Check your boundaries. Are hedges and fences a deterrent – plant thorny shrubs such as Pyracantha, Berberis, Holly or Hawthorn. Trellis along the top of boundary fences makes them less easy to climb over, and can be attractive. Alternatively, fit ‘Prikkastrip’ to the top edge of any high fence – this is the ‘legal’ equivalent of ‘broken glass’!
- Fit a good padlock to side gates and to any garden shed where you keep equipment.
- Consider fitting an alarm to your shed door – these are a good deterrent.
- Keep garden tools locked away. Not only are they valuable, but they can also be used to force an entry to your home.
- Use a durable security marking system (eg. CREMark) to identify any valuable equipment or garden furniture/ornaments. This may not stop them being stolen, but it may make it easier to get then back.
- Netting your garden pond will make it less easy for fish to be removed – it’s not just herons that make them disappear!
- Finally, when you are away from home on holiday, try to make sure that your house doesn’t ‘look’ empty, and ask a neighbour to keep an eye on things.
For further information about Neighbourhood Watch, contact:
David Gresswell – Area Co-ordinator, Flackwell Heath
(Tel: 525019 e-mail: flackwell-nhwatch@talktalk.net)
Police General & Non-emergency number: 0845 8 505 505
Crimestoppers (Anonymous): 0800 555 111
Trading Standards (Consumer Direct): 0845 4 04 05 06 |
Neighbourhood Watch News – March 2010 |
NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION GROUP (NAG) – YOUR input wanted
NAG’s are a government initiative intended to help local communities deal with local issues relating to crime. Each NAG comprises representatives of local groups typically including resident associations, the police, your parish and district councillors and other organisations such as Neighbourhood Watch, schools, retailers, etc..
During the past two years, your NAG (Hazlemere & Chepping Wycombe) has addressed issues relating to speeding, parking and anti-social behaviour, and more recently burglary. From time-to-time, reports of the NAG’s activities and achievements have been made available via The Grapevine, Ringmaster messages and the police web-site.
It is now time to review what YOU think the NAG should be working on – should we continue with more of the same, or do YOU think that the situation relating to crime in our parish is now different? To this end, the next Parish Council Newsletter will include an article about the NAG, and a FREEPOST questionnaire so that YOU can let us know about the things that currently concern you. This is your opportunity to influence the activities of your NAG - we will be very pleased to hear from you. Every completed questionnaire returned will be eligible for entry into a free draw for a cash prize of £50
|
Neighbourhood Watch News – February 2010 |
AREA MEETING – Summary Notes
There was a good turn out to this meeting held in early December last year, and I was pleased to see a number of co-ordinators and others from Flackwell Heath. Dominic Grieve QC, MP opened the meeting by speaking about the role of the community in reducing crime and creating a climate where anti-social behaviour is unacceptable. This theme was reinforced by Insp. Ray Wilks (Marlow) who emphasised the importance of the local community in acting as ‘the eyes and ears’ of the neighbourhood policing team by reporting suspicious activity, anti-social behaviour and the like. Councillor Mike Appleyard outlined some of the activities of the local councils in terms of crime reduction, and noted the installation of Temporary Speed Indicating Devices (TSID’s) including the one in Blind Lane. Finally, Gerry Doyle, responsible for civil parking enforcement for Wycombe DC, gave a brief overview of parking enforcement in the area. Geoff Pegg, Chairman of Wycombe District Neighbourhood Watch Association, described the role of NHWatch in crime reduction and highlighted the successes during the last year. After a lively discussion, there was an opportunity to enjoy ‘a cup of tea and a biscuit’ whilst visiting the various displays that had been organised, or chatting to the speakers. All in all, a successful meeting.
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
If ‘Father Christmas’ delivered some desirable gifts to you over the holiday period, don’t forget that these are also desirable to the opportunist burglar. It is never too early to mark such property to increase the chances of return to you should it be stolen and later recovered. There is a wide range of security marking products available:
UV Marker pens – this is probably the cheapest form of security marking. A marker pen is used to put your house number and post code in an unobtrusive location on the item – on the back or underside of electrical/electronic items; on the INSIDE of a mobile phone case, etc. Keep a note of where you put the marking, and remember such marking is not everlasting.
Alphadot – a proprietary microdot system which uses a self-adhesive microdot containing a unique code registered to you. This can be applied to smaller, higher value items such as jewellery, porcelain and the like.
CREmark – this marking system employs a heavy duty marker pen in conjunction with a resistant, protective lacquer, and is more suited to heavy-duty items such as power tools, bicycles, garden ornaments, etc.
SelectaDNA – this is a sophisticated, chemically coded liquid containing uniquely coded microdots, and can be applied to a wide range of items. Your ‘code’ is registered with the manufacturer and access to the register is available to the police.
Finally, take advantage of security systems already available. Make a note of the IMEI number of your mobile phone – this can be found on a label inside the battery compartment, or by entering *#06# on your phone (Asterisk-Hash-Zero-Six-Hash) In the event that your mobile phone is stolen, give your provider the IMEI number to deactivate the device. Alternatively, register the details of your mobile or other portable device (free) on www.immobilise.com
|
Neighbourhood Watch News – December 2009 / January 2010 |
REMINDER – Area Meeting, Dec 11th at 7 pm
I hope that you have marked your diary or calendar with this date for the meeting to be held at Wye Valley School – everyone is welcome. Speakers will include Dominic Grieve MP, Supt. Paul Emmings, Insp. Ray Wilks, Cllr. Mike Appleyard and others. There will be table displays on Crime Prevention and other relevant issues
Jingls Bells…..
As Christmas approaches and shops get busier, the risk of having your purse ‘dipped’ from your shopping bag increases. A simple yet effective device to alert you to any attempt to steal your purse, are ‘Purse Dipping Bells’. These simply clip to your purse and attract your attention if the purse is disturbed. They are available through NHWatch for the princely sum of £1.00
Christmas security
Christmas gifts are the seasonal target of thieves, whether whilst out shopping, in your car or around the Christmas Tree at home. Don’t leave purchases on display in your car – lock them away safely in the boot. If you do display gifts around the tree, make sure that they are not visible from the public highway or adjacent paths during the day, and draw the curtains at night. Check and review your security arrangements again to ensure that you don’t create openings for the opportunist burglar by leaving any windows or doors unsecured. Check that your house contents insurance covers you for the value of gifts over the Christmas period. If you are gong away over the holiday period, leave lights and a radio on a timer, and get a neighbour to draw your curtains and collect any mail. If you are not already a member of a neighbourhood watch scheme, make joining – or starting – a scheme a New Year resolution.
SatNav security
Theft of SatNav’s from unattended cars is a common occurrence, but just think about it. Most SatNav’s include a ‘Home’ location, so not only has the thief got your SatNav, but he knows that you are NOT at home, and he has the means of navigating TO your home. I suggest that you edit the details of your ‘Home’ location so that it does NOT reveal your home address. Use a local feature such as a car park or store, so that you can still navigate back to your home location. You know where your house is – don’t give the thief directions to get there!
Current Scams
The ‘Car-Jacking’ scam (a note stuck on your car’s rear window in a busy car park) and the ‘Parcel Delivery Service (PDS)’ scam (requiring you to phone a premium rate line) have both surfaced again. The best advice with the former trick is to ignore the note until you are safely out of the car park. With the PDS scam, simply ignore it.
|
November 2009 |
Beat Surgeries at Budgen’s
You may have noticed that the Police and Neighbourhood Watch have held the last two ‘Beat Surgeries’ outside Budgen’s on a Saturday morning, rather than at Christ Church. This change is part of the local police commander’s strategy to make his officers more accessible to the public. Certainly, we had more residents coming up to talk about specific topics; to look at the information and security products available or just to chat. Please let us know what YOU think about this change of venue and approach.
A Date for your Diary
On Friday, December 11th, an significant Meeting for the local NHWatch areas will be held at the Wye Valley School commencing at 7.00 pm. Speakers will include Dominic Grieve MP, Supt. Paul Emmings, Insp. Ray Wilks, Cllr. Mike Appleyard and others. There will be table displays on Crime Prevention and other relevant issues - look out for more information nearer the date. Do try and come along.
Card Cloning
There has been a spate of card cloning of late, and several residents report their cards being used fraudulently in the Far East. As in the past, garages seem to feature prominently in the ‘cloning arena’. How they do it is open to speculation, but it has been suggested that the card machines have been tampered with in some way to send your card details to another computer, and that a ‘hidden’ camera records your entry of the PIN number. With your card and PIN numbers, the rest is easy……!! The key thing is to protect your PIN. Ensure that no-one or any thing is ‘looking over your shoulder’ or ‘down from above’ when you enter your PIN. Use your free hand to conceal what you are entering!
Property Marking
The latest Parish Newsletter includes an article on Community Safety with a specific reference to property marking using the product ‘SelectaDNA’ A limited number of packs are being made available to residents at a discounted price of £22, each sufficient to mark up to 50 items. With the current incidence of burglary that we have been experiencing, this is a valuable tool in the armoury of deterrence, and can be used to securely mark and identify a wide range of products. Remember, only 5% of stolen goods are ever reunited with their rightful owners due to lack of positive identification.
Winter is here
By the time you read this, the clocks will have gone back an hour, and the evenings will get dark that much earlier. Make sure that you have reset any timers that you use to operate security devices such as lamps, radio, etc. so they come on and go off at appropriate times. Some modern electronic timers now have a facility for selecting ‘Summer/Winter’ or ‘Daylight Saving’ time, which makes this change very simple.
|
|
|
|
