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.

EAT, WITH CAUTION

Scamarama

Scam alert: Just Eat ‘gift card’ phishing email.

We have received multiple reports of a fake email purporting to be from takeaway delivery service Just Eat. Here is what you need to watch out for.

With so many people using takeaway delivery services during the pandemic it is no surprise to see scammers looking

We know from experience that uncertainty around the ongoing pandemic is a magnet for fraud, with so many examples already shown here on Which? Conversation.

This fake Just Eat email may at first seem quite obviously illegitimate, but the email it was sent from has deceptively spoofed the ‘Just-Eat.com’ domain, which does itself redirect to the official site (https://www.justeattakeaway.com):

Attempting to ‘claim your £50 Just Eat gift card’ will almost certainly take you through to a phishing website that will attempt to steal sensitive information. Just Eat itself has confirmed that this email (and variations reported to it on Twitter) are fake:

We also made Just Eat aware of the email directly, a spokesperson said:

“Protecting our customers and brand from online fraud is of utmost importance to us and we take the safeguarding of customer data extremely seriously. We have been made aware of a phishing email that has been sent to a number of Just Eat customers and non-customers and have taken immediate steps to mitigate this.”

It also said it would never send an email asking a customer to follow a link and fill in their personal details in order to receive a voucher.

It emphasised that in no way have Just Eat’s systems been breached or compromised, but that anyone who may have clicked through should change their password and contact their bank, while reporting the incident to action fraud.

KEEP SAFE

Apple issues new warning: Keep your iPhone 12 at least 6inches away from your pacemaker

In a notice published on Apple's support page Saturday 6th February,

the company expanded upon previously issued safety information, warning users that iPhones conta onin magnets and radios that emit electromagnetic fields, both of which "may interfere" with medical devices such as implanted pacemakers and defibrillators.
The Saturday notice specifically warns users about "the magnets inside" all four iPhone 12 models, as well as MagSafe accessories. Apple (AAPL) notes that iPhone 12 versions contain more magnets than prior iPhone models, but it also said they don't pose a greater risk of magnetic interference with medical devices than earlier models.
Apple said in the update that medical devices can contain sensors that may react to magnets or radio waves that come in close proximity. The company recommends keeping iPhones and MagSafe chargers a "safe distance" away from medical devices — which it defines as more than 6 inches apart, or 15 inches apart when wirelessly charging.

When Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 last fall, the company also announced the return of MagSafe — formerly a beloved MacBook feature — for the iPhone. Customers can buy MagSafe charging docks to wirelessly juice-up their devices, and other magnetic accessories including cases and wallets that attach to the back of the phones.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why it is now expanding on the safety guidance. But the Heart Rhythm Journal released a report earlier this month claiming that the magnets in the iPhone 12 that make it compatible with MagSafe accessories could interfere with an implanted defibrillator.

Health experts have long cautioned not to use or hold cellphones too close to implanted medical devices — for example, warning people not to store them in shirt pockets.
"Consult your physician and medical device manufacturer for information specific to your medical device and whether you need to maintain a safe distance of separation between your medical device and iPhone or any MagSafe accessories," Apple said in the notice. "Manufacturers often provide recommendations on the safe use of their devices around wireless or magnetic products to prevent possible interference." If a customer feels like their iPhone 12 or MagSafe charger is interfering with their medical device, they should stop using them, Apple said.
Another thing iPhone 12 users should be aware of when using MagSafe chargers: Avoid placing credit cards, security badges, passports or key FOBs between your phone and your MagSafe charger, as the magnets might damage magnetic strips or RFID chips in these items, Apple warns. If you have a phone case that holds such items, be sure to remove them before wirelessly charging your device.

NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S UP?

What’s Up at WhatsApp -

Is Big Brother watching you?

Do you know that WhatsApp’s reputation took a big hit last month, as the company messaged all users explaining that its privacy policy is changing. It indicated that WhatsApp would soon start sharing data with its parent company, namely Facebook and that if you want to continue using your WhatsApp account, you need to agree to the new policy by the 8th February. As a result, millions, yes millions, of users changed to other messaging apps.

This was a PR disaster for WhatsApp, who have now moved the date to the 15th May 2021. (A bit like closing the stable door, after the horse has bolted!)

YOU CAN GET HELP

FROM: CRIMESTOPPERS   0800 555 111

Lockdown measures during Covid-19 have increased the risk for vulnerable people in abusive relationships, many of whom will be living with their abusers.

We want to encourage you to learn the signs to spot, so that if you do see or hear something, you can speak up and tell us what you know. 100% anonymously - guaranteed.

In an emergency, always call 999. If it’s not an emergency and you’d prefer to stay anonymous, contact us online or on the phone by calling 0800 555 111, 100% anonymously - guaranteed.

As a bystander, family member, colleague or friend you may feel helpless when you know someone is a victim of domestic abuse. Whilst ultimately the victim will need to make the decision to leave the relationship themselves, we encourage you to report your suspicions. We will then pass on information to the relevant police force who, with partners, may be able to intervene away from the abuser to check the potential victim is OK.

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is behaviour from a family member, partner or ex-partner that is controlling, coercive, threatening, violent or abusive, and happens between people aged over 16.

Domestic abuse can happen to men or women. It includes the following types of abuse:

• Psychological • physical
• sexual
• financial

• emotional
There are many reasons victims of domestic abuse may not report abuse from

partners themselves; learn more about these reasons here.

How do you know if someone is a victim of domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse warning signs include: -

• Their partner puts them down in front of other people

• They are constantly worried about making their partner angry

• They make excuses for their partner’s behaviour

• Their partner is extremely jealous or possessive

• They have unexplained marks or injuries

• They’ve stopped spending time with friends and family

• They are depressed or anxious, or you notice changes in their personality

  You may be a neighbour who may have seen or heard: -

• Threatening and intimidating arguments, which may involve violent language or escalate to smashing up the furniture

• Arguments where the partner blames the other for their actions, saying they are “asking for it” or deserve the abuse

• Individuals with bruising or other visible marks, which may have been caused by physical abuse

  If you witnessed, or have information in relation to, domestic abuse, speak up and tell us what you know. You will remain 100% anonymous - we won’t even know who you are.

Did you see something, but didn’t say anything? You have a second chance to act and stand up for victims of domestic abuse.

Perpetrators of abuse

Adults, no matter what their gender or sexual orientation, can also be perpetrators of abuse. It is estimated 1 in 4 perpetrators will reoffend.

• If you think your behaviour is crossing the line into abuse, call the Respect Phoneline on 0808 802 4040 to get the help you need.

• The White Ribbon UK Lockdown Toolkit is available here to provide practical suggestions and show where to get help for men who are worried about their behaviour during lockdown, and men who are concerned about the behaviour of their friends and colleagues.

  Are you a victim of domestic abuse?

  Due to our anonymity guarantee, we can't take information from victims of crime. In an emergency, always call 999. If it’s not an emergency and you don’t want to call the police, contact the 24hr freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) on 0808 2000 247 - available 7 days a week.

• Men's advice line run by Respect - 0808 801 0327 is a confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members).

• Women's Aid is a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated. Women’s Aid services include the Women's Aid Live Chat (open Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 12pm), the Women’s Aid email service, the Survivors' Forum and the Survivor's Handbook. They can all be found here.

• For advice during the coronavirus crisis, the Women's Aid Covid- 19/Coronavirus resource hub is full of relevant, up-to-date support. It can be found here.

• Refuge is a UK charity providing specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Live chat is available Monday-Friday 3-10 pm via www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

• Victim Support is an independent charity in England and Wales that provides specialist practical and emotional support to victims and witnesses of crime.

• Galop is the UK’s only specialist LGBT+ anti-violence charity who have a National LGBT/ DA Helpline.

• For a further list of organisations who can offer you help and advice about domestic abuse, visit www.gov.uk/domestic-abuse.

• The Silent Solution helps people who are unable to speak, but who genuinely need police assistance. If you’re in an emergency situation and need police

help, but can’t speak, Make Yourself Heard and let the 999 operator know

your call is genuine.

• The Ask for ANI scheme, active in thousands of independent pharmacies and

  Boots stores across the country, allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help and access support. By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines.

• Victims of domestic abuse can go to Safe Spaces for someone to collect their thoughts, contact a helpline or find a local support service.

  Nothing to report.

• Visit Woman's Aid or Refuge to learn more practical ways you can help someone you may be worried about.

• You can also volunteer with Crimestoppers to raise awareness of our unique crime reporting service in your community.

  For more information or for links to the organisations mentioned above go to: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/keeping-safe/personal-safety/domestic-abuse

SPRING GARDEN SECURITY ADVICE

Difficult to envisage gardening in the Spring whilst snow is on the ground but here is some sound advice to bear in mind for when the weather is more clement.

Advice from the Crime Prevention Tactical Advisor

Spring Garden Crime Prevention
Hopefully by the time that you read this we will be moving into spring and the weather improving inviting us out into the garden. It is a good time to take a look around; are your fences and gates in good condition do you have good quality locks on gates, will they keep the unwelcome intruder out? To the front of your property where possible keep fencing, planting and hedges to about 1.5m in height so that an intruder is not hidden from view.
Defensive planting: Security does not have to be just about locks, bolts, and spiky fence toppings; nature provides some excellent plants to keep people away. There are a number of attractive, fragrant plants of a spiky nature such as climbing roses, pyracantha and berberis and other planting of a dense nature that can work quite well. Have a chat at your garden centre or with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for the right plant for the right location. We have worked with the RHS at Hyde Hall and there are a number of mature examples that can be viewed there, why not book a visit at https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall .
New plants: Larger plants etc. can be secured to land or rootball anchors or plant through chicken wire covering the area with soil. Cement or bolt down containers to the ground. The RHS or your local garden centre or DIY store should be able to help.
Working in the garden: It is easy to get engrossed in what you are doing when working in the garden, if the house is empty it is wise to close and lock the door (don’t forget the key though!). Remember when you stop for a break put your tools away, and at the end of the day as well as putting tools away put the wheelbarrow and wheelie bin away too. “It will add insult to injury” if your tools are used to break into your house, a neighbour’s, nearby building such as a church, or provide a climbing aid or method of carrying things away.
New tools and lawn mowers: Be mindful of how you dispose of the packaging to your new purchases; don’t advertise it to the thieves and burglars with your empty boxes on display outside for roadside collection. Fold boxes inside out or break them up and put them in bag for collection. If you are not using your lawn mower, jet washer or other put it away out of sight from prying eyes.
Property marking: It may deter a thief if your property or flower pots is visibly security marked with your house number and post code such as www.creproducts.co.uk or labelled if a forensic (hidden) property marking system is used such as www.smartwater.com or www.selectadna.co.uk. You can also record the serial numbers of any tools at www.toolwatchapp.com or www.immobilise.com/ . If your property does get stolen with property marking and/or recording there is a greater chance of you getting it back.
For suitable security products look for the Secured by Design or Sold Secure logo’s and for further garden security advice see the following webpages:
www.essex.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/
www.securedbydesign.com
www.soldsecure.com
www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=606
SAS04022021

ADVICE FROM CRIMESTOPPERS

CRIMESTOPPERS CAMPAIGN AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE

 

Following the success of our #YouAreNotPowerless social media campaign which ran throughout September and October 2020, from today we're re-running the campaign to raise awareness of our anonymous service in relation to domestic abuse.

Lasting 3 weeks, we want to continue to empower bystanders - friends, neighbours, employers, colleagues or family members - who suspect someone is a victim or perpetrator of domestic abuse to speak up and tell us what they know.
 
Thanks to our combined efforts in 2020, anonymous Crimestoppers information:

• enabled police to conduct a covert intervention to safeguard a female who was a victim of domestic abuse.
• led to the arrest of a suspected perpetrator of domestic abuse and the safeguarding of multiple women.
• led police to visit an address where the suspected victim disclosed previously unreported abuse. The perpetrator was subsequently arrested and charged.

Follow us on social media to retweet and share our campaign posts.

GIFT HORSE? COVID/AMAZON CARD

Scam alert: Amazon gift card COVID-19 email requests

Shared by Which? On social media 18.1.2021
A new twist on an old scam has emerged, in which fraudsters are using the pandemic as the perfect excuse to trick people into buying them Amazon gift cards.

We’ve already exposed the fake texts and calls about the COVID-19 vaccine, sent by criminals attempting to steal personal data and card detail, but now we’ve seen fraudsters hacking into email accounts and using coronavirus isolation as a hook to target victims.

We often hear from scam victims who received a seemingly innocent email from a friend, relative or work colleague only to discover that they were communicating with a fraudster all along.

Once an email account is hacked, criminals will try every trick in the book to make money, including sending emails to their contacts list.

A common tactic is to ask them to buy an Amazon gift card (more often than not, as a present for a “niece”) offering a spurious reason as to why they can’t purchase this themselves – and the pandemic has given scammers the perfect excuse, 

How the gift card scam works:

As the recipients are likely to trust the address of the sender, they assume the request is genuine and kindly agree to purchase the gift cards.

Now the scammer can simply ask you to share the serial numbers so that they can cash them in.

Though the Amazon gift card scam is the one most commonly reported to Which? be cautious of any message asking you to make a purchase or divulge personal data.

Dealing with emails from hacked accounts:

Never answer an unsolicited email without making checks, even if it seems to be from a trusted source.

If you receive an email asking for personal data or any form of financial help, call that friend or family member on a trusted number and let them know their account may have been hacked.

They should then change their password immediately to secure the account and warn other contacts that they may have received a malicious message.

Setting up two-factor authentication will also make it much more difficult for anyone to hack their email account going forward.

Amazon itself specifically makes people aware of this gift card scam on its site. It states: -

DO NOT provide any gift card details (such as the claim code) to someone you do not know or trust – and always take steps to verify the identity of anyone asking you to provide gift card details.

Once a claim code, from any gift card, is provided to a scammer, the funds will likely be spent before you are able to contact law enforcement or Amazon.

For more information, hints and advice cut and paste this link onto your web browser.

https://conversation.which.co.uk/scams/amazon-hacked-email-gift-card-covid-scam/

Have you received a fake email from a hacked account of a friend or family member? Let us know in the comments: https://which.co.uk

PAIN FREE

Not able to guarantee the vaccination will be free of pain but is is FREE of charge!!

Vigilance urged following COVID-19 vaccine scams.

As previously reported, Cyber criminals are attempting to scam the public by taking advantage of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.

Action Fraud had received 57 reports regarding vaccine scams as of the 7th January and want to raise awareness. The scam comes in the form of email or SMS and uses the lure of being vaccinated by tricking victims into sharing personal and financial details - some of

the scams even use forms that look very similar to those used by the NHS. It’s important to remember: -

• The vaccine is completely free of charge.

• 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 license, bills or pay slips.

  If you believe you have received a scam email regarding the vaccine, then you can report it directly to the NCSC using the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) by forwarding the email to report@phishing.gov.uk

  If you have received a suspicious text message, then you can forward this to 7726. This free-of-charge service allows an investigation to take place and take action, if found to be malicious.

  The NCSC has published advice on how to deal with suspicious phone calls, messages and emails: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/advice-guidance/all-topics

MORE FROM ACTION FRAUD

STOP PRESS: LATEST FROM ACTION FRAUD FOLLOWS: -

Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, is warning the public about a National Insurance scam, after it received over 1,000 extra calls from members of the public this week. Victims have reported receiving an automated telephone call telling them their “National Insurance number has been compromised” and in order to fix this and get a new number, the victim needs to “press 1 on their handset to be connected to the caller”. Once connected to the “caller”, victims are pressured into giving over their personal details in order to receive a new National Insurance number. In reality, they’ve been connected to a criminal who can now use their personal details to commit fraud.

Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: “We are asking the public to remain vigilant and be cautious of any automated calls they receive mentioning their National Insurance number becoming compromised.
“It’s important to remember if you’re contacted out the blue by someone asking for your personal or financial details, this could be a scam. “Even confirming personal details, such as your email address, date of birth or mother’s maiden name, can be used by criminals to commit fraud. If you have any doubts about what is being asked of you, hang up the phone. No legitimate organisation will rush or pressure you.” How to protect yourself: If you receive an unexpected phone call, text message or email that asks for your personal or financial details, remember to:

STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

PROTECT: If you have provided personal details to someone over the phone and you now believe this to be a scam, contact your bank, building society and credit card company immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

You can also contact CIFAS to apply for protective registration. This means extra checks will be carried out when a financial service, such as a loan, is applied for using your address and personal details, to verify its you and not a fraudster.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

NOTTINGHAM KNOCKERS ARE HERE AGAIN

You may know this group as ‘the duster sellers'. They are normally young people who turn up on your doorstep with a huge black holdall full of cleaning products ranging from tea towels, dishcloths and dusters to sprays, polishes and even small clothing items. Initially they all came from the Nottingham area, obtaining their goods from a warehouse at Clifton just outside of Nottingham and they then come ‘knocking’ on your door to trade, hence the term ‘Nottingham Knockers’. Unfortunately, not only are they after selling you poor quality items at highly inflated prices they are also checking out suitable targets for details to be sold onwards to professional burglars.

Once they have their holdall of products, the teams, normally six in number, are shipped out in vans and minibuses to work an area. They will often readily admit to being ex-convicts trying to make a new start in life by working for a living and may show a card purporting to be part of a probation scheme or claim to be deaf or dumb, again showing an appropriate card. These ID cards are all mocked up and have no legal bearing. (Doorstep salespeople who request payment for goods at the time of purchase MUST be in possession of a current Pedlar’s Certificate authorised and issued by a chief officer of Police or an officer delegated to give such authorisation.

The probation service does not and would not be involved in any such working methods. Again, these young people deal in cash on the doorstep, trying to work sales into £ notes by using the ‘I’ve got no change’ routine.

It has been held that the Knockers look out for fresh notes and may even smell the notes to see if they are musty with a view to then ‘trading’ that persons location to other criminals, thinking that the note they have been given comes from a much larger cache.

It is a known fact that people who have purchased from Nottingham Knockers and ‘paid in cash’ on the doorstep have become victims of a household burglary shortly afterwards. Some victims have had weekly visits from these criminals, starting with selling items for £10 but escalating week on week until the weekly price reaches £60 or £70.

Many people purchase from sellers just to get shot of them, others because they feel sorry for them. But once into purchasing from them they will keep returning and it is not un-heard of for them to demand more money than they are receiving, even becoming violent and forcing their way into people’s homes to obtain further cash handouts. Once you are on this ‘suckers list’ you run the risk of continual visits from the Nottingham Knockers or their burglar friends as the list is sold on and on.

REMEMBER: -
Do Not deal with Nottingham Knockers.

Do Not allow Nottingham Knockers into your home!

Do Not pay CASH on the doorstep!(To any causal door stop trader)

Be aware of Nottingham Knockers visiting your neighbourhood and report any such activity immediately to police. By doing this you may well prevent another person falling into the cycle of repeated visits and cash hand overs. When you report this criminal activity to the police, make sure that they give you an incident number, which you can refer to if you have further problems. If they are still in the vicinity Use 999 as they could well be involved in other criminal activities.