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Google Chrome worst browser for preventing phishing attacks in Which? tests

Find out which browser is best for phishing protection on Windows and Mac

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/google-chrome-worst-browser-for-preventing-phishing-attacks-in-which-tests-a2N292P2XHbN - Which? [26 May 2022]

Find out which browser is best for phishing protection on Windows and Mac

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/google-chrome-worst-browser-for-preventing-phishing-attacks-in-which-tests-a2N292P2XHbN - Which?

Find out which browser is best for phishing protection on Windows and Mac

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/google-chrome-worst-browser-for-preventing-phishing-attacks-in-which-tests-a2N292P2XHbN - Which?

Google Chrome worst browser for preventing phishing attacks in Which? tests

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/google-chrome-worst-browser-for-preventing-phishing-attacks-in-which-tests-a2N292P2XHbN - Which?

Warning about cold calling 'companies' offering to clean drive ways and roofs

Bexley Neighbourhood Watch have been contacted by two residents who would like to warn everyone about cold calling 'companies' offering to clean drive ways and roofs.  

On Monday 23^rd May a young man with an Irish accent was knocking on doors in Fairlawn Avenue, Bexleyheath.  There were two vans, one silver and one a turquoise, both had Irish number plates and displaying the name Bestway Steam Cleaning & Home Improvement.  Registration numbers 02-D-56921 and 09-MN 631.

Another outfit (Pro Star) was seen operating in Heversham Road, Bexleyheath.  Initially, they offered to clean a roof for £500, then the price jumped to £2,200.  When confronted about the price the workman became very aggressive.  The van was small, possibly a VW Caddy, registration number HJ58 XTF.

Residents are warned to be careful when dealing with seasonal door step traders.

Trading Standards’ advice is to ignore doorstep cold callers and instead check first with your insurance company whether you are covered for the cost of the works you need.

For those who are not covered by insurance, Bexley’s What Tradesman? scheme can help you find a reputable trader.

To report a rogue trader operating in the area, or if you need advice, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Bexley's Beware of ROGUE TRADERS-gif

🚫🙅> No Cold Caller Door Sticker <🚫🙅

Display this notice, or contact your local Trading Standards team to receive your sticker.

UNLIMITED £5 donations for Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association!

 

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Raise UNLIMITED £5 bonus donations* (Terms and Conditions apply

*£5 bonus - See here) when you sign up new people to help raise money for Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association.

Just think how much they could raise if all of your friends and family joined you on easyfundraising.

Share the unique link below to get new supporters to sign up and when they raise their first £5 - we'll double it!*

Please join us in supporting Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association on #easyfundraising, you'll raise FREE donations with your everyday shopping. It's quick and easy to sign up! Plus, once you've raised your first £5, easyfundraising will double it! 

Sign up now: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/support-a-good-cause/step-1/?invite=3xqp5k&char=87414&referral-campaign=s2s&utm_source=refsharebox

Top tips to avoid falling victim to holiday fraud

 

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• Stay safe online: check the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to a domain name – such as going from .co.uk to .org.
• Do your research: don’t just rely on one review – do a thorough online search to ensure the company is credible. If a company is defrauding people, there is a good chance that consumers will post details of their experience, and warnings about the company.
• Look for the logo: check whether the company is an ABTA Member. Look for the ABTA logo on the company's website. If you have any doubts, you can verify membership of ABTA online on their website. If you're booking a flight as part of a package holiday and want more information about ATOL protection, or would like to check whether a company is an ATOL holder, visit the CAA website.
• Pay safe: wherever possible, pay by credit card. You should avoid paying directly into a private individual’s bank account.
• Check the paperwork: you should study receipts, invoices and terms and conditions, and be very wary of any companies that don’t provide any at all. When booking through a Holiday Club or Timeshare, get the contract thoroughly vetted by a solicitor before signing up.
• Use your instincts: if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For a full list of tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/how-avoid-travel-related-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, or call Police Scotland on 101.

Source: Action Fraud (23-05-2022)

Scam Ofgem email lures victims with fake energy refunds

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Fraudsters are posing as the energy regulator to dupe the public into handing over personal and payment details, Which? has learned. 

Emails using the Ofgem logo claim to offer an 'energy bill rebate scheme' worth up to £450 per household, directing recipients to a fake online portal. There, victims are urged to share personal and payment details in order to claim their refund. 

The fake website - rebate-ofgem.com - was registered just days ago, but has already prompted urgent warnings from the real Ofgem.

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View the Ofgem tweet here and Please view the tweet to see a screenshot of the fake emails reported to Action Fraud: https://twitter.com/CyberProtectUK/status/1527657160586444800?s=20&t=RdAiopW83gUlsAymvjnu5g

Remember, your bank, or any other official organisation, won’t ask you to share personal information over email or text. If you need to check that it’s a genuine message, contact the company using details from their official website or app.

Spotted a suspicious email? Forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) - report@phishing.gov.uk

Bexley’s What Tradesman Scheme are vetted by Trading Standards

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Residents are reminded of Bexley's What Tradesman Scheme https://whattradesman.org.uk/ where, all the traders are local and have been vetted by Trading Standards.

FIND A TRADER AND RATE THEIR SERVICES

Need a reliable trader? The Bexley The London Borough of Bexley “What Tradesman Scheme” will help take the headache out of finding someone by using the Trader Register to find a local trader, leave and see feedback.

JOIN THE TRADER REGISTER SCHEME

Traders registering with the scheme demonstrate their commitment to fair and honest trading practices and agree to work with Trading Standards to resolve problems if they should occur.

Beware Doorstep Crime

• Doorstep Crime
• LTS doorstep crime campaign booklet

Bexley's What Tradesman Scheme-gif

🚫🙅> No Cold Caller Door Sticker <🚫🙅

Display this notice, or contact your local Trading Standards team to receive your sticker.

Trading Standards launch Don’t Deal At The Door Campaign booklet

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Here's the link to download the LTS doorstep crime campaign booklet (pdf) OR open the booklet to view in new window.

It's filled with information and advice on how to spot and avoid rogue traders at your front door and online.

Source: London Trading Standards (18-05-2022)

🚫🙅> No Cold Caller Door Sticker <🚫🙅

Display this notice, or contact your local Trading Standards team to receive your sticker.

Bexley Fraud & Cyber Crime Summary for April 2022

 Bexley Fraud & Cyber Crime April Summary [opens as pdf in new window]

Beware courier fraudsters unveiled

 

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The warning comes as a new list of tactics used by courier fraudsters has been unveiled by the City of London Police. (Source: Action Fraud - 16-05-2022)

Typically, courier fraudsters target their victims by claiming to be a police officer or a member of staff from a victim’s bank and they often pressure people into making quick financial decisions to assist with fictitious investigations. In 2021 alone, 3,625 people were victims of courier fraud, with loses totalling more than £15.2 million.

An analysis of data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has highlighted four modus operandi (MOs) which are now more commonly being used by fraudsters.

Four common MOs used by courier fraudsters

• Bank card expiry: Fraudsters claim to be from the victim’s bank and say their card is no longer valid. They ask for the pin number and then send a “courier” to collect the card before using it for fraudulent purposes.
  
• Purchasing high end items: The suspects pretend to be police officers and ask the victim to help with an undercover operation by purchasing expensive items like watches, jewellery and gold. One the item is bought, the victim will hand over the item to the criminal.
  
• Counterfeit cash/bank investigation: A person claiming to be a police or banking official informs the victim that they need to help with a banking corruption investigation. The victim is told to withdraw a large amount of money and the cash is picked up later by a courier to “check for fingerprints or to identify counterfeit bank notes”.
  
• Computer takeover: The fraudster telephones the victim, purporting to be from their internet service provider, saying that they have had an issue with their internet connectivity and they are due compensation. The victim is persuaded to download a remote access application, giving the suspects access to their home computers. The fraudster persuades the victims into thinking that they have been paid too much compensation and the victims then withdraw cash to pay the money back, which is later collected by a courier.

Superintendent Edelle Michaels, from the Lead Force Operations Room at the City of London Police, said:

“Fraudsters are callous individuals and courier fraud is no exception. They prey on some of the most vulnerable and most trustworthy members of society. Victims of courier fraud typically tend to be between the ages of 70 to 89 years old, with women more likely to be targeted than men.

“We would urge everyone who is involved in a caring or supportive role to people of these ages to start conversations about the tactics used and warning signs to look out for on courier fraud. Just having that conversation could be the difference on whether someone becomes a victim of this trust-eroding crime.”

Signs of courier fraud

• Courier fraud usually starts with an unsolicited telephone call to the victim.
• Typically the suspect will pose as a bank official, police officer or a computer or utility engineer.
• Courier fraudsters will usually request the victim purchases high value items such as Rolex watch and gold bullion, withdraws cash or provides a bank card for collection from a courier.
• Fraudsters will instruct victims not tell any family or friends about what they are doing.
• When carrying out courier fraud, criminals will request the victim hangs up the phone to ring their bank for confirmation while keeping the line open. The suspect then purports to be bank official and provides false confirmation.
• Fraudsters will also make arrangements for a courier meet the victim to collect the item they have purchased.

Anyone who receives an unexpected call from someone claiming to be one of these officials should verify they are speaking to someone genuine: hang up, wait five minutes and call back on a number they know is genuine.

In August 2021, Brian’s* 83-year-old mother was called on her landline from a man claiming to be a police officer. The caller said a man, claiming to be her nephew, had been arrested in possession of her debit card and £1,400 had been spent. During subsequent phone calls, Brian’s mother was deceived into believing she had spoken to her bank and several detectives.

The suspect convinced Brian’s mother that her bank was involved in counterfeit bank notes and the police needed her to assist them by working undercover. She was sworn to secrecy and instructed to visit her bank and tell them she needed to withdraw £4,250 to assist her son. She was told to put the cash, her driving licence and her bank card in an envelope and was given a security password to be used by the courier, upon collection.

A “courier” arrived and after saying the agreed password, Brian’s mother gave them the envelope. Over the next few days, the fraudster phoned Brian’s mother and instructed her to move money from her savings account to her current account. Numerous fraudulent transactions were subsequently made totalling £29,788

Brian said:

“As soon as she told me what had been going on, I knew it was fraud. These scams completely undermine people’s confidence. My mother, who is very resilient, now questions everyone she speaks to because it has eaten away at her trust and confidence in people.

“I would urge everyone to trust their own good sense and intuition. If anyone is pressing you for urgency and secrecy, like they did with my mother, that should ring alarm bells. If it is genuine, it can wait.”

Data from the NFIB shows that women between 70 to 89 years old lost more than £6.7 million to courier fraud in 2021. Men in the same age range lost almost £4.2 million during the same period.

A number of support services have been created to help combat nuisance calls, including the trueCall system. The device acts like a home receptionist and lets calls from friends and family straight through, but unrecognised callers are required to identify themselves before the call is put through and unwelcome callers are blocked.

Steve Smith, Director of trueCall, said:

"Older and vulnerable people really do need protection - particularly those who live alone and those who have been scammed already. It is this demographic that are being specifically targeted by telephone scammers, receiving 20 per cent – 40 per cent more unwanted calls than the rest of the population."

City of London Police would urge anyone who is contacted by someone they do not know, or cannot verify the identity of, to follow the Take Five To Stop Fraud advice.

Take Five To Stop Fraud advice

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 okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Blue Vauxhall Astra Stolen Appeal

My car was stolen from Wilmot Road yesterday 11 May 2022 afternoon, could you all keep an eye out please for a blue Vauxhall Astra LX04UUL.  If anyone saw anything at junction with Maiden Lane between 11.30am and 3.30pm or have any cctv footage or any information please let me know on Nextdoor.  Thanks a lot.

PEPPER’S VAN STOLEN APPEAL

White Ford Transit Hightop Van with Pepper’s branding on all sides. Reg Number BU14 UKF. If anyone saw anything near Avenue Road, Bexleyheath, Bexleyheath Station or William Camden Pub on the night of 10th May (or early morning of the 11th) or has any information they think might help PLEASE urgently contact 0208 303 7318 or email us at info@peppersfireplaces.co.uk. We are a local family run business and we depend on this vehicle for a lot of our work. This is a huge loss for us in already challenging times. Vehicle 1 Colour: White with Pepper’s Fireplaces branding, Make: Ford, Model: Transit, Type: Van , Reg. No.: BU14 UKF, Other: Bexleyheath

Source: Nextdoor

Walk and Talk events

Walk & Talks are open to women aged 18 and above, living or working in London, who would like to go for a walk with an officer in their local area and discuss their views on women’s safety. 

Those who take part in a Walk & Talk can share their views and experiences with officers as they walk through any areas they may feel vulnerable in. 

Patrols can take place at any time, including those where there is less footfall, traffic and light so officers can get a real sense of what their thoughts are. 

The aim of Walk & Talks is to start a conversation between members of the public and officers so we can listen and respond to concerns. 

Simply click on the below link select your borough and book on https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/campaigns/2022/walk-and-talks/

Protect yourself from scammers impersonating Amazon

The following is a legitimate email sent out by Amazon to users advising them on how to protect them from scammers:-

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Needless to say do no click on links that turn out of the blue. Take time to research and check this blog for advice and further information on similar scams.

Glad to see enterprises doing their bit to prevent such scams and crime. More on the blog for further tips to watch out for and what to do.

Scam Emails and How to Detect Them

Useful video taking a look at fake scam emails, there are many types of scam emails and it will show you how to spot them.

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.

Needless to say do no click on links that turn out of the blue. Take time to research and check this blog for advice and further information on similar scams.

If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.