Crime

The Metropolitan Police have published The Little Book of Big Scams, a comprehensive guide to scams and steps to take to avoid them. An audio version is also available.

People are being targeted to become “Parcel Mules” as part of a reshipping scam, which results in them handling stolen goods and losing out financially.

Victims are predominantly recruited through job advertisements and dating websites. They are persuaded to have items delivered to their addresses, and to pay for postage before sending the items elsewhere. Victims are contacted through Freelancer websites and invited to become a “Freight Forwarder” as an employment opportunity. The work is advertised as processing packages and forwarding them to clients. (more…)

If you have received an email with an attachment that claims to be the Windows 10 upgrade, or have received a call offering to help walk you through the Windows 10 upgrade, please do not open the attachment or follow their instructions.

Unfortunately, cybercriminals are trying to capitalize on the great momentum of Windows 10, with nefarious email, web, and phone scams directing our customers to install ransomware and other malware.

Windows 10 is a free upgrade offered by Microsoft which you can take advantage of by reserving your free copy online, or by visiting a Microsoft Store near you to secure free upgrade services.

Microsoft does not initiate calls to customers to assist with Windows 10 installation or technical support, nor do we send emails with installation files attached.  If you have been contacted by telephone or if you have received such emails with attached installation files, consider these fraudulent and do not share your personal information or open the attachment.

Read More on Microsoft Support

Please be aware of social networking offers for supermarket vouchers.We are aware of

100 Back to School Asda coupon scam, and

Scam Tesco voucher offers www.getsafeonline.org/news/watch-out-for-scam-tesco-facebook-post/

The scammers will change the details on a scam to throw you off the track so they may start to use other supermarkets and retailers

Many phone handsets now let you see the number of the person calling before you answer.

This feature – known as ‘Caller ID’ or ‘Calling Line Identity’ (CLI) – is a handy way of screening the calls you want to answer from the ones you don’t.

However, there have been growing instances of nuisance callers and criminals deliberately changing the Caller ID, a practice known as ‘spoofing’.

Don’t trust the number displayed.

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/tackling-nuisance-calls-and-messages/phone-spoof-scam/

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Ann Barnes, is inviting victims and witnesses of crime in Kent to have their say.

The Office of the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner has created a short survey designed to find out what victims and witnesses’ experiences of the criminal justice system have been. The survey is anonymous and will only take a couple of minutes to complete. (more…)

Doorstep scams are still a big problem (13% of all scams) & often target vulnerable members of public – help them stay safe & #scamaware.

Want to avoid cold callers on your doorstep? Get a sticker for your front door from your local Trading Standards or police force

Never buy electricity from someone who knocks at the door. Electricity is not sold in this way by companies.

Protect your friends & relatives from courier scams. Criminal callers pose as banks & send couriers to pick up your bank card

Mail scams cause misery. Never send money to someone you don’t know

Watch out for fake lottery letters. If you didn’t enter, you haven’t won!

Report all scam mail to Royal Mail – email scam.mail@royalmail.com

The Mailing Preference Service is free and may help reduce unsolicited mail. Visit www.mpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 703 4599