CogNW

Welcome to Coggeshall Neighbourhood Watch! We're a local community group working in close partnership with Essex Police to help make our village a safer and better place to live.

The UK's first Neighbourhood Watch was set up in Mollington in Cheshire in 1982 following the success of a similar scheme in Chicago in the United States. Many more schemes followed throughout the UK, and 10 million people are now thought to be members.

We'll publish the latest information about crime in the village on this site. So if, for example, there's a sudden increase in burglaries or a door-to-door- scam running, we'll make sure you know about it straight away.

You can also email us with any questions. And, of course, we'd love you to be involved too. Take a look at how you can support the Scheme in lots of practical ways.

BANKING SCAM ALERTS

Five banking scams to watch out for in 2021

Find out how to protect your bank account from the latest threats

All too often, Which? hears devastating stories from victims of fraud. The banking industry is stepping up measures to protect customers, but being aware of the risks to your money is key. 

Fraudsters’ tactics range from the crude to the extremely sophisticated but, whether they target victims with a simple phishing email or trick them into giving access to their devices, the result is the same – innocent people lose money.

Banks have introduced better protections such as Confirmation of Payee (an account name-checking service) and fraud warnings at the point of payment, but this help often comes too late to ‘break the spell’.

So Which? has launched a scam alert service to inform and warn you about all types of fraud. Sign up and read on to discover the most common and emerging bank scams to watch out for in 2021.

1. Impersonation scams: is it really your bank calling?

Scammers will pose as any trusted organisation to win your confidence – your bank, a retailer, utility company, the police or even the government.  Almost 15,000 cases of impersonation fraud were reported to UK Finance between January and June 2020 – up 84% on the previous year. Victims lost a total of £58m.  Number spoofing technology enables scammers to easily clone a bank’s telephone number, meaning you can’t trust the caller ID alone. They often gather background information about you from social media, data breaches or phishing messages to make the call more convincing.  Which? has previously reported scammers posing as the Visa fraud department, for example, but there has recently been a surge in fake Amazon calls.

Action Fraud reported that criminals posing as Amazon stole more than £400,000 from 200 victims in just two months last year.

Criminals stole £30,000 from a vulnerable 89-year-old customer in a sophisticated and drawn-out impersonation scam. Her bank, Lloyds, initially refused to reimburse these losses, despite being signed up to a voluntary code that has introduced significant new protection for fraud victims.

Reports of authorised push payment (APP) fraud – where the victim is tricked into moving the money into a scammer’s account –  jumped by 45% in 2019 and resulted in losses of £456m. Most payments are made via online banking, but there has been a 177% spike in APP scams initiated via mobile banking apps and a 40% spike in those started in branches.

A year ago, the largest banks and building societies signed up to a new voluntary code that sets standards for treating victims of APP scams. Yet Which? has since raised concerns about the way banks are handling cases, from a lack of due diligence in branches to relying on generic fraud warnings to shift the blame to customers.

Here, Which? explains how the ‘safe account’ bank transfer scam was carried out, how the victim eventually got her money back from Lloyds and how this case highlights how banks can arguably fail to adhere to the code.

2. Remote access software scams

Once they have made contact, a scammer needs to get access to your money.Common tactics include urging you to move money to a ‘safe account’ because yours has been compromised, or asking you to download software to your phone or computer so that they can ‘fix’ a spurious problem.

In 2020, the Amazon phone scam played out like this: you answer the phone and an automated message invites you to ‘press 1’ to cancel Amazon Prime or dispute a fictional transaction.

Now you’re through to an ‘Amazon call centre worker’ who convinces you to download a tool such as TeamViewer to ‘secure your account’ or ‘authorise a refund’. If you do so, you’ve unwittingly given the scam caller full access to your device.  Remote access tools are used by businesses and IT workers for legitimate purposes, but many people are unaware that scammers misuse them to gain access to their smartphones and computers, allowing them to steal personal data and hack into bank accounts.

3. Scam adverts on Google and social media

Criminals can pay for adverts to appear at the top of search results, so be on your guard when using Google and other search engines such as Bing.

In September, we reported that scammers had taken out malicious Google ads on at least three occasions to target Revolut users and trick them into calling a fake Revolut customer services number.

As you can see from the image below, these ads appeared at the top of Google search results when customers searched for ‘Revolut help desk’, above the genuine Revolut website.

It’s too easy for criminals to promote scams on social media platforms and search engines.

Last year, Which? created and advertised two fake companies – Remedii, a water brand, and Natural Hydration, an online service offering pseudo health and hydration advice.

Google approved our ads in less than an hour and they gained nearly 100,000 views in a month. We also paid Facebook to promote our page for Natural Hydration, filled with pseudo-advice posts on ‘health and hydration’ and gained more than 500 ‘likes’ in a week.

4. Sim-swap fraud – has your number been hijacked?

Banks are increasingly sending security codes by text message when customers use online banking or make online card payments.  This does offer a layer of protection, by making it harder for scammers to hack into your account or use stolen card details online. But it also makes your phone number more valuable to criminals.  This is why the past five years have seen a 400% increase in reports of Sim-swap fraud, where a criminal takes control of your phone number by moving your number to a new Sim or network.  Once they have control of your number, they can intercept any text messages from your bank to steal your security.

It’s too easy for criminals to promote scams on social media platforms and search engines.

Last year, Which? created and advertised two fake companies – Remedii, a water brand, and Natural Hydration, an online service offering pseudo health and hydration advice.

Google approved our ads in less than an hour and they gained nearly 100,000 views in a month. We also paid Facebook to promote our page for Natural Hydration, filled with pseudo-advice posts on ‘health and hydration’ and gained more than 500 ‘likes’ in a week.

4. Sim-swap fraud – has your number been hijacked?

Banks are increasingly sending security codes by text message when customers use online banking or make online card payments.

This does offer a layer of protection, by making it harder for scammers to hack into your account or use stolen card details online. But it also makes your phone number more valuable to criminals.

This is why the past five years have seen a 400% increase in reports of Sim-swap fraud, where a criminal takes control of your phone number by moving your number to a new Sim or network.

Once they have control of your number, they can intercept any text messages from your bank to steal your security.

Sim-swap fraud: how criminals hijack your number to get into your bank accounts

Reports of Sim-swap fraud have gone up by 400% in five years

Reports to Action Fraud of a scam known as Sim-swap fraud – where a criminal tricks your mobile network into transferring your phone number to a Sim card in their possession – have rocketed by 400% since 2015. 

Gaining control of your mobile number means a fraudster will receive all calls and texts intended for you – including the one-time security passcodes required to access personal accounts.

Our investigation suggests that mobile network providers have stepped up security to make the scam harder to pull off, but criminals are still finding a way in.

We’ve spoken to dozens of victims who have had thousands of pounds taken from their accounts in the past year, and many feel the networks should be doing more to help. Here, we reveal the tactics Sim-swap fraudsters used and explain how to protect yourself.

How your number can be hijacked: Fraudsters start by gathering data about you via social engineering (sending fake emails, texts, phone calls to trick you into divulging personal information) or by paying for stolen data on underground online forums.

Social media accounts can also prove fruitful for learning answers to common security questions, such as birthdays, names of pets and favourite sports teams.

Armed with enough information to pose as you, the scammer will contact the customer services department of your network provider – over the phone, via webchat or even in store – and ask for your number to be switched to a Sim card in their possession.

The fraudster’s aim is to take control of your number, by convincing your network to either:

swap your number to a new Sim card on the same network, perhaps by claiming that ‘their’ phone is lost, or,

move your number to another network by requesting the Porting Authorisation Code (PAC).

While Sim-swap fraud is not new, Action Fraud reports suggest that attacks are ramping up:

Are mobile networks doing enough to stop Sim-swap fraud?

If you go into a phone store and ask for a replacement Sim card, staff should ask for your passport or driving licence, although a 2018 BBC Watchdog investigation found that employees don’t always follow official procedures.

A more obvious route for fraudsters is to call your network’s customer services helpline, where they can’t be asked for photo ID.

When we asked volunteers to make two phone calls from a landline to their networks (BT, EE, O2, Sky, Tesco, Three and Vodafone) and request the PAC, we found security was generally robust.

Call handlers typically asked us to quote a code that was sent to us via text, or said they would send the PAC via text to the original Sim card. Both measures would stump the average malicious caller. Even when we pretended our phone was broken or unable to receive texts, call handlers suggested we put the Sim card in a borrowed phone or visit a store with photo ID.

However, one call was troubling – because we were given the PAC over the phone despite deliberately getting the account password wrong (the call handler even hinted this was the name of our first pet).   We were able to pass security by providing only the model of the phone and the last four digits of the account number. Although this was an isolated case, it shows persistence can pay off for a fraudster.

This cost me a lot of sleepless nights:  Last December, Sharron Fowler from South Bucks received a text from EE stating that her Sim activation request had been processed and her new Sim would be active within 24 hours.

She immediately called her provider and discovered someone had passed security and requested her PAC.

EE said it was too late to stop the Sim-swap. By the next morning, she was locked out of her email accounts and the scammers targeted her premium bonds account with National Savings and Investments (NS&I), attempting to steal nearly £9,000.

Sharron had to change all her passwords and was advised to add a note on her credit file with each of the three credit reference agencies so that a password is required for all future credit applications in her name.

‘I consider myself very, very lucky, but I felt quite violated. This cost me a lot of sleepless nights in the run up to Christmas.’

An EE spokesperson said: ‘In this instance, the criminal successfully accessed Ms Fowler’s account by answering security questions correctly. We spotted further suspicious attempts to access Ms Fowler’s account and added an additional layer of security by requesting a utility bill as further proof of ID.’

‘We advised Ms Fowler to contact her bank immediately and this helped prevent unauthorised access to her bank account. We recognise in trying to protect Ms Fowler’s account this made it difficult for her to access it when visiting our store and we apologise for any worry caused.’

‘The fraudster spent £13,000 in 48 hours’

Garth Pollard, from London, received a surprise text from Three providing a PAC last April.

Within 15 minutes he contacted the network to explain he had not requested this code and was assured it would not be activated.

‘24 hours later, my phone was cut off. I called Three and was assured the number would be returned. I didn’t think there had been a fraud but some administrative error,’ says Garth.

‘But then I received an email from my credit card provider advising that I was at 90% of my credit card limit.’

Having persuaded Three’s call centre to supply the PAC over the phone, the fraudster spent a total of about £13,000 over a 48-hour period, although, eventually, all these transactions were removed.  ‘I made a data-access request to Three. It was very slow in dealing with it and then refused to provide any data connected to the fraudster on the grounds that it could only be released if a police request was made.  ‘While I suffered no loss, it seems to me that the present system is open to misuse by criminals. I don’t know what data the fraudster had about me and couldn’t take any action to secure other accounts.’  A Three UK spokesperson said: ‘Generally, by the time criminals are attempting to obtain someone else’s phone number, they have substantial amounts of personal and financial information to impersonate them.  ‘This is why we’ve recently introduced a number of enhanced checks for anyone attempting to obtain someone else’s phone number and are working in close collaboration with the rest of the telecoms industry to monitor, identify threats and take action.’

Getting hold of your network

With so much at stake, networks must respond quickly when they discover a customer has fallen victim to a Sim-swap attack.

No network offers a 24/7 customer services telephone helpline, although EE, Plusnet, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone told us that an out-of-hours support team can still place restrictions on your account to block unauthorised access.

If you’re with Virgin Media, it has an online form used to report lost or stolen devices, which will temporarily block your Sim. Three offers 24/7 webchat.

O2 said that any customer who suspects they’re a victim of fraud should immediately contact their bank and O2 as soon as possible from another phone.

Sky Mobile told us it wasn’t able to respond to our questions.

A simple but effective solution?  With smartphones providing a gateway to our financial data, the banking and telecoms industries should consider how to take a more collaborative approach to tackling Sim-swap fraud.

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky pointed us to Mozambique, where mobile networks now flag to banks mobile phone numbers associated with recent Sim ports.

Banks can block transactions if the number has been ported within the previous 48 to 72 hours – enough time for the original owner to contact their network provider if they discover they have fallen victim to an unauthorised Sim swap.

While this may frustrate customers who have legitimately ported their Sim card and don’t want payment delays, banks can potentially find other ways to verify the request is genuine. In any case, customers should be able to decide whether this is a compromise they are willing to make.  The full version of this investigation

5. Fake emails and texts from ‘your bank’

Phishing messages have sadly become a part of daily life, and the slickest examples can catch anyone out.

Clicking on a link in a fake bank email or text could take you a cloned website where fraudsters steal financial or personal details. Or the link might install malware on your computer as another means to capture details.

The National Cyber Security Centre launched the Suspicious Email Reporting Service this year, inviting the public to forward phishing messages to report@phishing.gov.uk. In just two months it had received 1m reports

We warned about a fake Barclays text directing victims to a cloned website in May 2020. Below are some more recent examples of scam bank texts sent to Which? members. These all linked to cloned bank websites, set up to steal their login details.

DON'T GET CAUGHT

Fraudsters are sending out fake texts offering a Covid vaccine in an attempt to steal personal and financial information, police have warned.

Police say that the text offers a link to an "extremely convincing" fake NHS website where people are asked to input their bank details to register for a vaccine.

They also say cold callers are asking people to pay for the vaccine over the phone.

There is no charge for the vaccine!

"The scam message reads 'we have identified that your are eligible to apply for your vaccine' and then prompts you to click on a link for further information or to 'apply' for the vaccine."

"If you receive a text or email that asks you to click on a link or for you to provide information, such as your name, credit card or bank details, it's a scam," the police added.

Similar warnings about the fraud attempt have been posted on local Facebook pages over Christmas and the New Year period.

When checked by the BBC, this particular fake NHS website appears to have been taken down.

It's not the first time this scam has been attempted since the start of the vaccine roll-out.

In late December, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust issued a similar warning about fraudulent phone calls and messages.

"In some cases, people are asked to press a number on their keypad or to send a text message to confirm they wish to receive the vaccine. The warning said Doing so is likely to result in a charge being applied to their phone bill."  A spokesperson for the Sussex trust said: "The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine, and will never ask for payment or for your bank details."

Here is the latest scam warning from Action Fraud along similar lines and further endorsing and clarifying the article above.

Action Fraud is warning the public to remain vigilant as criminals begin to take advantage of the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine to commit fraud.

As of 7 January 2021, Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, had received 57 reports in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine.  Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said:  “The vaccine is a crucial tool in fighting the coronavirus and keeping people safe. Thankfully, the number of reports into Action Fraud are relatively low but we have seen an increase in the last two months, particularly around scam text messages.   “Remember, the vaccine is only available on the NHS and is free of charge. The NHS will never ask you for details about your bank account or to pay for the vaccine. If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, this is a scam.”

Action Fraud has received reports from members of the public who have been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for the vaccine. The texts ask the recipient to click on a link which takes them to an online form where they are prompted to input personal and financial details. In some cases the online form has looked very similar to the real NHS website.

How to protect yourself:  In the UK, coronavirus vaccines will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy local to you, to receive your vaccine. Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay. 
- The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.

- The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.

- The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.

- The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.  If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.

 

HELP FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE SUFFERERS

Essex Police:  How to report domestic abuse

Our first priority is to protect you and any children you have. If the situation is an emergency an officer will attend and, if proportionate, necessary and lawful to do so, arrest the perpetrator, and take action to protect you from further harm – giving you time to think.

Report it:  If you're a victim of domestic abuse, or know someone who is, and there's an emergency that's ongoing or life is in danger, call 999 now. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.

If you've been the victim of domestic abuse, or are concerned for someone who is, you can report this in the safety of your local police station. If you require a translator, we can provide someone initially by phone and later in person.

In non-emergency cases and for general advice, please call 101. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, use our textphone service on 18001 101.

How we can help straight away: Our officers will make sure that you're dealt with respectfully and spoken to away from the person responsible for the abuse. If you've been physically injured, it’s important that your injuries are examined by a doctor. We'll arrange medical care, if necessary.

Staying in touch:  We'll stay in contact with you and see you through the whole investigation. Our aim is to contact you within 24 hours of you reporting the offence to let you know what’s happening.

We'll also give you a dedicated phone number, so you can call us directly to find out how your case is going or talk about anything that might be worrying you.

In many cases, victims of domestic abuse require temporary or longer-term housing alternatives. It may be that you need an injunction to prevent the perpetrator approaching you, or perhaps need counselling or support.

We work alongside highly trained non-police advisers who can assist with aftercare for you and your family.

If you need to attend court for any reason there are also support services available so that you don't feel overwhelmed or alienated by the legal process.

 

 

ACTION FRAUD ADVICE

New alert from Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) about computer software service fraud.
2,007 reports of computer software service fraud were made to Action Fraud in November 2020. Victims reported losing a total of £2,148,976. This is a 22% increase in reporting compared to the previous month.
Action Fraud has received reports of criminals cold calling victims purporting to be calling from well-known broadband providers primarily, claiming that the victim has a problem with their computer, router or internet. The suspect persuades the victim to download and connect via a Remote Access Tool (RAT), allowing the suspect to gain access to the victim’s computer or mobile phone. Some reports also state that criminals have been using browser pop up windows to initiate contact with victims.
Victims are then persuaded to log into their online banking to receive a refund from the broadband provider as a form of compensation. This allows the suspect access to the victim’s bank account, and the ability to move funds out of the victims account into a UK mule account.
There has also been an increase in the variety of service providers being impersonated, with multiple providers being affected.
Always remember: -
Genuine organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for personal or financial details, such as your PIN or full banking password.
Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, because of a cold call.
Don’t contact companies promoting tech support services via browser pop-ups.
Hang up on any callers that claim they can get your money back for you.
If you have made a payment, contact your bank immediately. They can help you prevent any further losses.
If you granted remote access to your computer, seek technical support to remove any unwanted software. If you need tech advice, look for reviews online first or ask friends for recommendations.
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
Action Fraud has received reports of criminals cold calling victims purporting to be calling from well-known broadband providers primarily, claiming that the victim has a problem with their computer, router or internet. The suspect persuades the victim to download and connect via a Remote Access Tool (RAT), allowing the suspect to gain access to the victim’s computer or mobile phone. Some reports also state that criminals have been using browser pop up windows to initiate contact with victims.
Victims are then persuaded to log into their online banking to receive a refund from the broadband provider as a form of compensation. This allows the suspect access to the victim’s bank account, and the ability to move funds out of the victims account into a UK mule account.
There has also been an increase in the variety of service providers being impersonated, with multiple providers being affected.
Always remember: -
Genuine organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for personal or financial details, such as your PIN or full banking password.
Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, because of a cold call.
Don’t contact companies promoting tech support services via browser pop-ups.
Hang up on any callers that claim they can get your money back for you.
If you have made a payment, contact your bank immediately. They can help you prevent any further losses.
If you granted remote access to your computer, seek technical support to remove any unwanted software. If you need tech advice, look for reviews online first or ask friends for recommendations.
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 update20 40.
Last month, I reported about scams relating to dpd and Royal Mail. Here is the latest from Action Fraud: -
In November alone, the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS), a tool launched by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the City of London Police earlier this year, received 5,478 reports of suspicious DPD emails. This is an increase of 655% when compared to the previous month.
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/report-suspicious-emails
Action Fraud has also received 166 reports of suspicious DPD text messages between June and November last year, with victims reporting a total loss of £139,000. A further 35 reports were made in the first week of December, with victims reporting a total loss of £103,000.
The messages purporting to be from DPD claims that the delivery driver was “unable to deliver your parcel today” as “you weren’t in or there was no safe place to leave it”. The message provides instructions on how arrange another delivery. The links in the messages lead to fraudulent websites that request a small payment to rearrange the delivery.
If the victim makes this payment, they’ll receive a phone call within a few days from someone purporting to be from their bank to inform them about suspicious transactions on their account. Criminals carrying out this scam are able to use a tactic called ‘spoofing’ to make the call or text appear genuine by cloning the phone number, or sender ID, used by the bank.
The victim is informed that their bank account may be compromised and is instructed to transfer their money to what they believe is an alternative secure account to prevent further losses. In reality, their money is being transferred into an account under the criminal’s control.
In other cases, suspects have gained enough personal details and security information during the phone call with the unsuspecting victim, to enable them to take out a loan in the victim’s name. The criminals then transfer the loan to an account under their control.

Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: “Phishing messages are commonly used by criminals to gain access to our personal and financial details, leaving them free to commit fraud and take your money.
“At this time of year people are often sending parcels and gifts to friends and family, especially this year with people not being able to meet up in the same way for Christmas. Criminals are relying on the fact that we may need to reschedule a delivery to make their communication seem genuine. This is why we’re urging the public to follow some simple steps to ensure they can be Fraud Free this year. Remember, if something feels wrong then always question it.”
A spokesperson for DPD, said: “We are aware that there have been a number of fake DPD emails trying to get consumers to send money for parcels to be re-directed. We would never do this nor would we ask consumers to give us their bank details. “There is an easy way to check the email is safe, only emails sent from one of three DPD email addresses are genuine. These are  dpd.co.uk, dpdlocal.co.uk or dpdgroup.co.uk. Fake or scam emails are nearly always sent from a private email address and certainly not from an official DPD one. Any other sender email address, especially if the email is asking for money is highly likely to be a scam email.
We would encourage anyone who has received a fake email to report it to report@phishing.gov.uk Always remember: -
Your bank, or other official organisations, will never ask you to share personal or financial information over the phone, or via text or email. If you need to check that it’s a genuine message, contact them directly.
You can report suspicious emails you have received but not acted upon, by forwarding the original message to report@phishing.gov.uk.
You can report suspicious texts you have received but not acted upon, by forwarding the original message to 7726, which spells SPAM on your keypad.
If you have acted upon a message you have received, and you think you may be a victim of a fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040 as soon as possible.

 

Criminals are using the pandemic as an opportunity to catch people out, when due to the stress, uncertainty and worry that many people are suffering, it is easier to catch them off their guard. Don’t become a victim Keep Alert, Keep Secure and stay safe!

FARADAY KEY PUCHES AND KEY SAFETY

An Essex Watch Liaison Officers advises that it is believed that one way to check if the Faraday bag is still 'working' is to place a mobile 'phone inside and then dial the number. The 'phone should not ring as the signal should not get through.

Named after British scientist Michael Faraday, these pouches - otherwise known as Faraday cages - distribute electrical charge and wireless signals around the bag, as opposed to reaching anything inside.

 If you are looking to purchase a Faraday bag, make sure that it is a bona fide product that works rather than purchasing a cheap imitation which may not offer the same protection. Whatever you purchase, it is well worth checking that it continues to function properly, on a regular basis.

More on Keeping your Car Keys safe: -

1. Keep your car keys safe – Use a blocking pouch.Car key burglaries are on increase, why not keep your car keys in a safe!
If you have a ‘keyless entry’ car then make sure your keys are kept well away from doors and windows.

Keep your car key in a screened box/tin/bag so that the signal can’t be ‘grabbed’ from the outside and used to open your car – and don’t forget to do the same with any spare set! It’s best to use a Signal Blocking Pouch (Faraday Bag) as described above.

We have both sets of keys in faraday pouches a spare set that never gets used. We checked them today and the pouch is no longer working. Probably good to let residents know to check their faraday pouches !!!”

Signal Blocking pouches can stop access to your vehicle by blocking your car key fob from transmitting its code to the vehicle, as the pouches are lined with layers of metallic material.

Provided that you have checked that your pouch/s work, putting your keys in a signal blocking pouch should stop any thieves from being able to amplify the signal used in relay theft.

2. Turn off Keyless Fob’s Wireless Signal: Do you have a keyless fob? Wireless signals on some keyless fobs can be switched off. To turn off you should look in your cars manual to see if you can do this.

If you can’t find anything in your manual about turning off your fob you should contact the vehicle’s manufacturer.

3. Use a Steering Wheel Lock or Car Alarm

Yes, we know, you threw out the wheel lock back in the 1990’s.

Most modern car thieves are equipped with laptops rather than hand tools, so mechanical devices – such as steering wheel locks – can be a real deterrent.

A Steering Wheel Lock can prevent keyless car theft.

When purchasing a security device look out for 3rd party approval such as Sold Secure, whereby the product is tested against tools used by criminals such as Crowbars and Angle Grinders.

An alarm can reduce your car insurance: If you haven’t got a factory-fitted alarm you may be able to reduce the cost of your car insurance by fitting a car alarm. Check with your insurer that the alarm is approved, as the quality can differ with car alarms. And the single most cost-effective way to reduce your insurance premium is to fit an immobiliser, just make sure it’s professionally fitted.

4. Re-programme your keys: If you buy a second-hand vehicle, there is a risk that you may not be given all of the sets of car keys. Reprogramming your car keys can stop thieves using stolen keys

If you’re unsure, get car keys reprogrammed so previous owners can’t access the vehicle.

Warning: Although be warned programming of some vehicles keys can be quite expensive, especially if you go direct to the manufacturers, make you hire an auto locksmith who is usually cheaper

5. Park defensively...

Parking your car in a garage overnight is ideal but make sure you ask an MLA locksmith to undertake a security check. (MLA means Master Locksmiths Association). If you’re parking on your driveway, park defensively i.e. as close to your property as you can so that access is made difficult.

Extra Security to Consider: Consider fitting outdoor motion detector lighting and CCTV, and if you park on the street ensure it’s in an area that is well lit.

6. Keep your vehicle tidy: We’ve all heard it, but how many still don’t follow the advice.

Make sure to keep the inside of your vehicle clear of clutter, try and hide any electrical items such as Sat Nav’s & Mobile phones.

Try to keep your glove box empty and why not leave your glove box open to show you’ve got nothing to hide.

Don’t forget to hide any signs of high-cost equipment as well, such as the marks that Sat-Nav suction cups leave on your windscreen!

7. Get your windows etched: Etching the last seven digits of your Vehicle Identity Number (or registration) onto the windows, headlights and mirrors means anybody who tries to alter your vehicle’s identity will have a tough job.

8. Should you have lost your car keys then we recommend contacting a local MLA or other reputable auto locksmith, who are experts with vehicle locks and keys. They will make sure that only the keys you have cannot be used by the thief, removing all others your vehicles database, this will stop any stolen keys being used.

DO YOU KEEP CHICKENS

FROM: Essex Trading Standards
New poultry housing measures are now in force. It is a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate Avian Influenza.
Poultry and captive bird keepers are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns. They can help prevent avian flu by maintaining good biosecurity on their premises, including:
🔹housing or netting all poultry and captive birds
🔹cleansing and disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
🔹reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and using effective vermin control
🔹thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting housing at the end of a production cycle
🔹keeping fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all points where people should use it, such as farm entrances and before entering poultry and captive bird housing or enclosures
🔹minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
The new housing measures will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to protect flocks.
The introduction of the these new measures follows a number of confirmed cases of avian influenza in the UK.
More advice and information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

CHECK YOUR CHARITY .........

CHARITY FUNDRAISING

Action Fraud, the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator are warning the public to remain vigilant when making charitable donations this Christmas: Figures from Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, show that almost £350,000 of charitable donations ended up in the pockets of criminals over the festive period last year.
The vast majority of fundraising appeals and collections are genuine, however criminals can set up fake charities, or even impersonate well-known charitable organisations, to deceive victims.
Action Fraud has teamed up with the Charity Commission, the regulator and registrars of charities, and the Fundraising Regulator, the independent regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to help the public make sure their donations go to the right place this Christmas.
Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: “Charities do incredibly important work, helping those in greatest need, especially at this time of year. Unfortunately, criminals will try to abuse the generosity and goodwill of others and this can have a huge financial impact on charities and the good causes they support.
“We would encourage people not to be put off donating to charities, but instead to be vigilant. Make sure you do your research and follow our simple steps to ensure you’re giving your money to a legitimate charity. Don’t let your donations end up in the wrong hands this Christmas.”
The Charity Commission has previously warned that the pandemic has created more fertile ground for fraudsters. Action Fraud reported earlier this year that it had received reports of a scam email, purporting to be from HM Government, asking for donations to the NHS as part of a ‘nationwide appeal in efforts against coronavirus’.
Helen Stephenson CBE, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, said: -
“Christmas is always a time of generous charitable giving, and that’s to be celebrated. This year it comes as charities face immense financial strain after heroic efforts to support some of society’s most vulnerable people through the pandemic.
“This means it’s more important than ever to ensure that when we reach into our pockets, our festive contributions don’t go astray. That’s why we’re urging everyone to give with their head as well as their heart and check before they give.”
Gerald Oppenheim, Chief Executive of the Fundraising Regulator, said: -
“Fundraising this Christmas takes on a greater importance after a tough time for so many, including charities whose public fundraising activities have been paused for much of 2020. Unfortunately, there are a small number of people who may try to take advantage of your festive goodwill, and direct donations away from legitimate charities.
“Whilst we encourage donors to keep giving, it is essential that you remain alert and aware for any unusual activity when making a donation. Be sure to carry out a few important checks before giving. This includes checking to see if the charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which means they are committed to maintaining good fundraising practice.”
Previous research from the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator revealed that less than half of people that give to charity usually make checks before donating.
Action Fraud, the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator are therefore urging the public to follow some simple steps to ensure they have a #FraudFreeXmas this year.
Take the following steps to make sure your donations go to the right place: -
Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information. Look for the registered charity number on their website. You can check the charity name and registration number at
https://www.gov.uk/find-charity-information
You can also check if a charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. All charities registered here have made a commitment to good fundraising practice: https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/directory
If you’re approached by a collector on the street or at your door, ask to see the collector’s ID badge. You can also check whether the collector has a licence to fundraise with the local authority, or has the consent of the private site owner.
Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to unsolicited messages and phone calls that ask for your personal or financial details – even if it’s in the name of a charity.
To donate online, type in the address of the charity website yourself rather than clicking on a link. If in any doubt, contact the charity directly about donating.
Be cautious when donating to an online fundraising page. Fake fundraising pages will often be badly written or have spelling mistakes. When donating to an online fundraising page, only donate to fundraising pages created by someone you know and trust.
After making these checks, if you think that a fundraising appeal or collection is fake, report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

ROYAL MAIL/DPD

ROYAL MAIL/DPD DELIVERY SCAMS

POLICE have warned about another ‘Royal Mail’ and ‘dpd’ delivery scam.
Fraudsters are sending emails and texts out of the blue claiming to be from the post companies.
They say they tried to deliver a parcel, but nobody was home and there wasn’t a safe place to leave it.
Victims are then asked to click on a link to rearrange the delivery on a ‘genuine and authentic-looking’ website.
But the website asks for your name, address, date of birth, mobile number and bank details giving the con-artists everything they need to ‘drain your bank account’.
A police officer warned in an online alert: “The fraudsters may have obtained your email or mobile number, but they are unlikely to know who you are or where you live.
“The fraudster who sent me an email earlier this week claiming to be from DPD courier company presumably doesn’t know of my previous fraud investigation experience. The fraudster sent the message from his own personal email account.
“Any genuine email from Royal Mail, Parcel Force or a courier company will never be sent from an individual’s personal email account.”
If you receive an unexpected email check the sender’s email address – they can look genuine so look for minor details like an extra letter, number or full stop.
Forward any emails you’re not quite sure about to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): report@phishing.gov.uk

FAKE LOTTERY?

FAKE LOTTERY AND OTHERS

A new offensive to combat the scourge of scam mail is being launched today. Members of the public are being urged to send the National Trading Standards Scams Team examples of scam mail they receive in the post as part of a new ‘scamnesty’. The ‘scamnesty,’ will help trading standards officers build intelligence about the criminals behind the latest scam being sent to Brits this winter.  Organised criminals try to con the public by sending scam mail through the post such as: 
fake lottery draws 
romance scams 
unclaimed inheritance scams 
and clairvoyant scams  
However, fraudsters are continually adapting their criminal techniques. To disrupt the criminals, the public are being urged to join Friends Against Scams and send in examples of scam mail.  

Louise Baxter, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team, said:  “It’s not just vulnerable people who fall prey to scam mail. The criminals take great care to ensure their mailings look genuine. Many of us have felt anxious and lonely during the pandemic, and fraudsters will not hesitate to prey on our emotions by sending us fake stories of hope. Consumers need to be extra vigilant. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Send us the scam mail and help us prevent more people being conned.” 
Scam mail should be sent to: NTSST, FREEPOST, MAIL MARSHALS. More information on the ‘Scamnesty’ – including the privacy policy – is available here: www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk/scamnesty 
A new report* published today on how trading standards officers disrupt criminals’ behaviour, confirms what householders know: this illegal activity is big business. Since 2016 the National Trading Standards Scams Team, with the help of more than 600,000 Friends Against Scams, has prevented over 10 million pieces of fraudulent mail from reaching consumers.  
Effective disruption techniques have resulted in more than £100 million in financial savings and estimated healthcare & health related quality of life savings for UK consumers and the UK economy. The scale of the problem is significant: the NTS Scams Team has identified nearly 1 million potential victims through its investigative work and is working to refer these to local trading standards for support and advice.   The Scams Team use so-called ‘disruptive techniques’ to prevent scam mail reaching people’s homes. In 2019 the Team prevented 40,000 mailings a month about an Australian fake lottery reaching consumers. Also in 2019 an American criminal was prevented by trading standards officers from using a mail provider in the South West to send up to 80,000 items of scam mail a month to addresses in the UK and abroad.  
Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:  “The scamnesty is a new approach to ensure trading standards officers are a step ahead of the criminals. Fraudsters are constantly innovating and so must we if we are to continue to disrupt their techniques and protect consumers. The intelligence we gather from the ‘scamnesty,’ will be used by trading standards officers to help nullify the criminals’ threat and prevent more scam mail reaching people’s homes.”  

ADVICE FROM ACTION FRAUD

Action Fraud launches new campaign to fight back against fraud this Christmas

Action Fraud launch #FraudFreeXmas campaign with stark warning about online shopping fraud. Action Fraud’s #FraudFreeXmas campaign has launched today, with a stark warning about ‘too good to be true’ Black Friday deals. Figures reveal reports of online shopping fraud have surged by 30% over the pandemic as many of us continue to shop online in light of current restrictions.

Figures from Action Fraud show that criminals conned 17,405 shoppers out of almost £13.5 million over the Christmas period last year, an increase of over 20% when compared to the same period in 2018.

Action Fraud is warning the public to take extra care when shopping online, ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as shoppers search for bargains and gifts for loved ones in the run up to Christmas.

Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: “Christmas is an incredibly busy time for us all. Many shoppers get caught up in the excitement of Black Friday, so it can be easy to rush into making a quick purchase online to secure a bargain.

“Unfortunately, criminals will see this as an ideal opportunity to take advantage of shoppers and will tempt them with the promise of cheap deals.

“We advise that you’re cautious of where and who you’re buying from. Our figures show that most scams last year involved mobile phones and electronics, so always shop with official retailers and don’t be enticed by deals that seem too good to be true. Where possible, use a credit card when shopping online as this will offer you more protection if anything goes wrong.

“Follow our simple advice to enjoy shopping online safely and ensure you’re not left empty handed this Christmas.”

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale events last year (25th November 2019 – 8th December 2019), over £3 million was lost to criminals as shoppers reported buying mobile phones (15%), vehicles (9%) and electronics (8%), on sites such as Facebook, eBay and Gumtree, only to have the items never arrive.

Over half of victims were male (55%) aged 20 to 29 (19%) residing in cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Bristol.

This year, Action Fraud will highlight a different type of fraud, and provide important protect advice, every week during December to prevent people from getting conned out of the Christmas they deserve, starting with online shopping and auction fraud ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

To protect yourself from falling victim to online shopping or auction fraud, remember the following:

Choosing where you shop: If you’re making a purchase from a website or person you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first. Look online for reviews of the website or person you’re buying from. If you’re purchasing an item from an online marketplace, you can view the seller’s feedback history before going ahead with the purchase.

Payment method: Use a payment method that offers buyer protection, such as a credit card if you have one, as most major credit card providers will help you get your money back if the item is faulty or damaged, or if it never arrives.

Staying secure online: Use a strong, separate password for your email account. Criminals can use your email to access other online accounts, such as those you use for online shopping. You should also enable two-factor authentication (2FA), where possible, which gives your online account additional protection by double checking that you really are the person you claim to be, when logging in. For further information about how to stay secure online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk

Watch out for phishing emails or texts: Some of the emails or texts you receive about amazing offers may contain links to fake websites. If you’re unsure, don't use the link and visit the website directly instead. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, you can report it by forwarding the email to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk You can report suspicious texts you have received by forwarding the original message to 7726, which spells SPAM on your keypad.

When things go wrong: Anyone can fall victim to fraud. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.