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12.8.14

Catalytic converter thieves warning

Know anyone with a Mercedes Sprinter van? Please pass this on…
Mercedes Sprinter vans are being targeted by thieves.
Eleven catalytic converters have been stolen from vans across Rhondda Cynon Taf in the past week.
We suspect the thieves will strike again so are appealing for van owners to be extra vigilant.
Take the following simple measures to prevent crime or help detect them:

19.10.13  Mike Oliver reports:

Have you had any daytime burglaries on your Estate?

If not it’s worth you mentioning to people to keep an eye out for strangers as we have had another one just round the corner and there has been quite a few of them in the Swansea area.

I don’t want to start scare mongering but they jemmy the front door then quickly remove valuables from the bedroom and leg it.

10.7.13  Beware!  Rogue traders have been reported to be operation in the NPT area.

2.7.13

Advice on avoiding on-line phishing scams

Phishing usually occurs when you receive an e-mail or through a pop-up message on a web site that claims to be from a legitimate business that you have a relationship with - your credit card company, bank, internet service provider, or an online service.

You're told that it's critical for you to update or validate your personal information in order to avoid dire consequences. If you take the bait, you'll be directed to a Web site that looks legitimate but isn't.

Once at the site, you'll be asked to provide personal information. Don't do it!

Common phishing scams include statements such as:

Verify your account.
Dear Valued Customer.
If you don’t respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed.
Click the link below to gain access to your account.
·        Check how secure your password is.

This is a two stage attack.  Step one- using phishing or other techniques an e mail account is compromised. Step two- completely automatically and often without leaving a trace in the sent items folder, the hacker goes through all of the contacts in the e mail account and sends each one an e mail containing something like

“Hello mate, you might be interested in this item that I saw on the web today” or “Hey, how did anyone get this picture of you doing that?!” with a link for you to click on to see what they are referring to. So what you get is an e mail from someone you recognise with a very tempting link in it – clicking on this link will then compromise both your information.

To protect yourself consider the following advice:

Never respond to the type of e-mail or pop-ups mentioned above;
Don't send personal or financial information in mails. E-mail is insecure.
When entering personal information on a Web site that you initiate a transaction with, make sure the http in the address bar changes to https and the padlock icon appears in your browser window, indicating that the site is secure 
Check your credit card statements carefully and report any charges that look suspicious;
Consider adding a firewall to protect your computer.
Be very cautious when opening any e-mail attachments.
Don't download files you receive in the e-mail.
If you suspect that you may have been compromised, change your password(s) immediately; and remember the general password advice, keep them complex and change them regularly anyway!

Regards

Mary P
Mary P Williams

13.6.13   A scam alert has been put on SCAM WARNINGS page regarding the Spanish Lottery - see menu.

12.6.13    On-line Scam warning

Please note the following advice which SWP has recently circulated.
Advice on avoiding on-line phishing scams

Phishing usually occurs when you receive an e-mail or through a pop-up message on a web site that claims to be from a legitimate business that you have a relationship with - your credit card company, bank, internet service provider, or an online service.

You're told that it's critical for you to update or validate your personal information in order to avoid dire consequences. If you take the bait, you'll be directed to a Web site that looks legitimate but isn't.

Once at the site, you'll be asked to provide personal information. Don't do it!

Common phishing scams include statements such as:

Verify your account.
Dear Valued Customer.
If you don’t respond within 48 hours, your account will be closed.
Click the link below to gain access to your account.
·        Check how secure your password is.

This is a two stage attack.  Step one- using phishing or other techniques an e mail account is compromised. Step two- completely automatically and often without leaving a trace in the sent items folder, the hacker goes through all of the contacts in the e mail account and sends each one an e mail containing something like

“Hello mate, you might be interested in this item that I saw on the web today” or “Hey, how did anyone get this picture of you doing that?!” with a link for you to click on to see what they are referring to. So what you get is an e mail from someone you recognise with a very tempting link in it – clicking on this link will then compromise both your information.

To protect yourself consider the following advice:

Never respond to the type of e-mail or pop-ups mentioned above;
Don't send personal or financial information in mails. E-mail is insecure.
When entering personal information on a Web site that you initiate a transaction with, make sure the http in the address bar changes to https and the padlock icon appears in your browser window, indicating that the site is secure
Check your credit card statements carefully and report any charges that look suspicious;
Consider adding a firewall to protect your computer.
Be very cautious when opening any e-mail attachments.
Don't download files you receive in the e-mail.
If you suspect that you may have been compromised, change your password(s) immediately; and remember the general password advice, keep them complex and change them regularly anyway!

Regards

Mary P Williams
Crime Reduction Tactical Advisor / Ymgynghorydd Tactegol Gostwng Troseddau
Communities & Partnerships / Cymunedau a Phartneriaethau
Western BCU / BCU y Gorllewin

Please note that this item has also been added to our SCAM WARNING page.

17.5.13

A male will make contact with elderly victims on their landlines and call himself a false DCI name.  He tells the victims that he has male in custody, in possession of a bank card bearing their details. He will ask the victim whether they have given permission to use their card, and when the victim says they haven't, he will ask them to put the phone down and report the matter to their bank.  He will keep the line open to prevent the call going through to the bank.

He then calls back, telling them that the money in their bank accounts is counterfeit, and they will need to withdraw large sums in cash for him to check.  The victim will then go to their bank, withdraw the cash, and a courier is sent to pick the money up.  He tells the victim that if the cash is genuine it will be paid back in to their accounts by midnight that night.

Sadly this MO has been used. Please note at no time should money be given following this pattern and if there is any query on a telephone call received stating they are from the police to ring 101 and ask for advice.

8.5.13

Deya the company that deliveries Yellow Pages have informed us that they will be delivering in the Neath/Port Talbot area in the next few weeks.

Ideally the yellow pages will be given to the householder or posted through the letterbox but where not possible placed out of sight or given to neighbour. Alternatively a card left with number to call.

Any queries the Customer Service helpline can be called on 08005420532.

11.4.13

AGM 2013 - Info posted on NEWS page.

2.4.13

Message sent by
Sam Cox (NHWN, Administrator, UK)

Dear Coordinators, Deputies, Members and Supporters,

National Stalking Awareness Day will take place on 18th April 2013.

National Stalking Awareness Day exists to raise awareness about the crime of stalking. Each year there is a different ‘theme’ and because of the recent stalking law changes, this year’s focus is ‘Know the Law, Use the Law’. Currently the law is slightly different in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland but importantly stalking behaviour is against the law across the UK.

More information about National Stalking Awareness Day 2013 can be found here**, where you can also download a number of pre-made presentations, posters and leaflets to help you raise awareness of the day.

** http://www.stalkinghelpline.org/about-the-helpline/nsad13/

21.2.13

For Information

For you to be aware Scottish Power will be in the Neath Port Talbot/SA12 for the new few weeks.
All advisors will have ScottishPower identity cards with colour photograph and hologram and will be dressed in Scottish Power uniform. representative of the

They will be managed in the Field by Andy Morris, Ceri Morgan and Gill Tizzard.

For Identification Validity, please call 08000141021.

If you have any queries please call one of the contacts listed:
Gill Tizzard-ScottishPower-Area Sales and Development Manager. 07753623437.
Mike Rowbottom-ScottishPower-Business to Business Sales Manager. 07753623253.
Newport Office (Smart Direct Sales Ltd- working on behalf of ScottishPower):
Andy Morris- 07801571733
Ceri Morgan- 07570988110

Name
D.O.B
Car Registration
ID No's


Alan Martynski
12/02/1954
CP55 DWC
84256

Daniel Underwood
01/03/1989
RF02 LFW
84085

Darrell Pugh
28/12/1966
DY56 FOA
84255

Paul Foley
15/12/1947
N/A
84254

Derek Phillips
16/01/1958
W4 ADP
84251

Nigel Acteson
23/12/1978
N/A
84252

Rober Lynch
03/03/1984
CN53 0YG
84089

Regards

Mary P
Mary P Williams
Crime Reduction Tactical Advisor / Ymgynghorydd Tactegol Gostwng Troseddau
Communities & Partnerships / Cymunedau a Phartneriaethau
Western BCU / BCU y Gorllewin

1.2.13

3.1.13

This is a message from The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales) Information sent on behalf of Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network

Message sent by
Catherine Dunn (NHWN, Administrator, England & Wales)
6.11.12

Dear members and coordinators,

Following the success of the Doorstep Selling activity in July, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), the Trading Standards Institute (TSI), Citizens Advice and Action Fraud are working together to empower consumers to stay safe when a trader calls. 

The campaign will launch jointly during TSI's National Consumer Week (12th – 19th November 2012) and the OFT's messaging will focus on invited and uninvited doorstep traders offering mobility aids and home insulation products and services, emphasising that consumers have the same rights even when they ask a salesperson to come to their home.  According to latest Consumer Direct data, almost 36,000 complaints regarding invited doorstep sellers were received in 2012 with just under 8,000 complaints received for uninvited doorstep traders.

More information is available here, including downloadable materials and details of how you can order hard copy leaflets and booklets: www.oft.gov.uk/doorstepselling
The leaflet is aimed at an audience over 70 and includes signs to look out for, advice on how to feel empowered to refuse making an instant decision, and suggested actions on what to do next.  The booklet is aimed at family, friends and carers, advising on signs that show how a friend or relative may be at risk and the action to take.
Product codes:
Leaflet (English): OFT1116
Leaflet (Welsh/English): OFT1116w
Booklet (English): OFT1117
Booklet (Welsh/English): OFT1117w
To order these free materials please call 0800 389 3158, quoting the relevant product code.
There is also a partner toolkit giving more information about how partner organisations can support the campaign: www.ourwatch.org.uk/resource_centre/document_library/pr_pack_oft_doorstep_selling_campaign_november_2012

Regards,

Catherine Dunn, NHWN

SCAM WARNINGS 1^ST SEPTEMBER 2012

CAMELOT

When my friend Billy received a letter from Camelot informing him that he had won £800,000 and they needed £15 to administer the transfer of funds he became suspicious for the following reasons:

• How did Camelot know he had bought a ticket
• How did they get his address as no record is made when you buy a ticket
• Why could they not send the money by cheque and reduce the payment by £15

Billy’s bank account is no fuller but the shredder is.

TELEPHONE SCAM

There is a new take on an old phone scam hitting people.  The old scam was to pretend to be the telephone company and phone someone saying that they were about to be cut off if they don’t pay a smallish amount by card over the phone immediately.  If people do not believe them they are actually encouraged to hang up and try to make a call.  When they hang up and then pick up the phone the line is dead.  How do they do this? Well it is actually very simple – the scammer does not hang up, they put their phones on mute.  The call was never torn down.

So what is the new take on the scam ? Well they are now hitting Bank and Credit Card customers.  The scammers now pretend to be from the Bank and start asking for card details etc.  If you get suspicious (or even sometimes prompted by the scammers themselves) you are encouraged to hang up and call them back on the telephone number shown on the back of your card.  They will then provide you with an extension number or a name to ask for.

When you hang up they do not, similar to before.  However this time they play a sound of a dialling tone to you until you start dialling the number.  All they have to do is wait until you finish dialling then play the ringing tone to you.  All the while they haven’t hung up and you haven’t dialled your bank at all.  The scammers answer the phone and pass you to the person you were speaking to before.  You now think you’re speaking to the bank.

What can you do about this? Call back the bank on a different line.  Call the bank back on your mobile, not the landline you first received the call on.