WELCOME TO the official blog of Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (BBNWA), Bexleyheath Police Station, 2 Arnsberg Way, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4QS. Mobile Tel: 07496 385471 bexleynw@outlook.com
In the first half of 2023, purchase scams rose by 43% year on year, and as we enter the peak shopping period of the year, the numbers are likely to grow further. But the good news is that many scam sites can be avoided if you know what to look for. Here are our seven tips on how to stay safe when shopping online.
Stay safe online
Source: Which? (29 Nov 2023)
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| Cold Blow Crescent Residents Group Xmas Newsletter Click to View in PDF |
The Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association (BBNWA) is deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Faulkner, a staunch advocate for community well-being and a tireless champion of justice. For many years, Peter served as the editor of the online newsletters "Kent Community Magazine" and "London Community Magazine," both of which provided invaluable resources and support to our members.
Peter's unwavering commitment to community safety shone through his relentless efforts to expose fraudsters, inform the public about current scams, and celebrate the contributions of volunteers and voluntary groups like Neighbourhood Watch. His dedication to upholding the law was evident in his coverage of police arrests and the publication of culprits' sentences, ensuring that perpetrators were held accountable for their actions.
Peter was a staunch supporter of numerous Neighbourhood Watches across Kent and London, providing them with invaluable guidance and encouragement. His passion for community empowerment and his unwavering belief in the power of collective action made him a true pillar of strength for countless individuals and organisations.
Peter's passing leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. His infectious enthusiasm, unwavering dedication, and unwavering commitment to community betterment were an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by the BBNWA, the communities he served, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Peter's son, Scott, and his family during this difficult time. May his legacy of community service and unwavering commitment to justice continue to inspire us all.
Vehicle crime is a serious problem in the UK. It costs the country billions of pounds each year and can have a devastating impact on victims.
Types of Vehicle Crime
There are many different types of vehicle crime, including:
* Vehicle theft: This is the most common type of vehicle crime. In 2022, there were 130,521 vehicle thefts in England and Wales.
* Theft from vehicles: This is when personal belongings are stolen from a vehicle. In 2022, there were 212,900 thefts from vehicles in England and Wales.
* Criminal damage to vehicles: This is when a vehicle is damaged deliberately. In 2022, there were 407,521 incidents of criminal damage to vehicles in England and Wales.
Impact of Vehicle Crime
Vehicle crime can have a significant impact on victims. It can cause financial hardship, inconvenience, and emotional distress. In some cases, it can also lead to physical injury or even death.
Factors that Contribute to Vehicle Crime
There are a number of factors that contribute to vehicle crime, including:
* Opportunity: Vehicles that are left unlocked or unattended are more likely to be targeted by criminals.
* Location: Vehicles that are parked in areas with high crime rates are more likely to be targeted.
* The type of vehicle: Some types of vehicles are more popular targets for criminals than others. For example, SUVs and vans are more likely to be stolen than cars.
Preventing Vehicle Crime (*also see below)
There are a number of things that can be done to prevent vehicle crime, including:
* Locking your vehicle: This is the simplest and most effective way to prevent vehicle crime.
* Parking your vehicle in a well-lit area: This will make it more difficult for criminals to target your vehicle.
* Removing valuables from your vehicle: If you leave valuables in your vehicle, you are making it an easy target for criminals.
* Using a security device: There are a number of security devices available that can help to deter criminals, such as alarms, immobilizers, and steering wheel locks.
Reporting Vehicle Crime
If you are a victim of vehicle crime, it is important to report it to the police. This will help them to investigate the crime and apprehend the offenders. You can report vehicle crime online, by phone, or in person at a police station.
Conclusion
Vehicle crime is a serious problem, but it can be prevented. By taking simple precautions, you can help to protect your vehicle from harm.
Additional Resources (gdpr)
* Office for National Statistics (ONS): https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice
* Crime Prevention Agency: https://crimepreventionservices.co.uk/
A local borough resident is reaching out to the community for assistance in recovering his beloved a black Range Rover Sport, year 2016, which was stolen from his driveway on Gipsy Road, Bexleyheath on Wednesday, November 22nd, at 22:47 pm. The car's registration number is LV16TYY.
The last known location of his vehicle was on Sydney Road, Bexleyheath, where the tracker was mysteriously removed. This suggests that the perpetrators may have ditched the tracker in this area. However, the tracker's signal still leads to this location, offering a glimmer of hope for its recovery.
Here's a summary of the details:
Residents are urged to check CCTV footage and surveillance devices for information. Contact the owner or West Heath Police at westheath.snt@met.police.uk or on 101 or 020 8721 2885 with any leads.
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| Stolen Range Rover Sport - LV16TYY |
It's Black Friday weekend when shoppers eagerly anticipate the best deals, primarily online. But it's also prime time for fraudsters. Between November 2022 and January 2023, a total of £10.6m was lost to online shopping scams.
If you come across deals that seem too good to be true, think twice before making a purchase. Learn how to dodge scam deals and stay safe while shopping online.
Black Friday scams
Source: Which? (22 Nov 2023)
Vehicle-buying scams are on the rise
Vehicle-buying scams shot up by 74% in the first half of this year, with most of them starting on Facebook. While we know these scams can be difficult to spot, find out how these scams work and which vehicles fraudsters target most.
Fake vehicles for sale
Source: Which? (22 Nov 2023)
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| Stolen Lexus 450RXH Sport - LY18VLA |
Crypto scams are up 23% this year, and victims are losing an average of £10k. Typically, these scams convince people to set up a digital wallet on a legitimate trading platform like Coinbase or Binance, then later they’re tricked into transferring money directly to the fraudster or giving the scammer control of their account.
Read more on investment scams, and see examples of crypto scams to watch out for.
Crypto scams
Source: Which? (10 Nov 2023)
Halifax customers are being targeted by a new scam that sends convincing text messages impersonating the bank, directing recipients to a copycat website.
Never confirm sensitive information, such as login details, via text or links in a message. Learn more about how this scam works so you don’t fall victim to it.
Fake Halifax texts
Source: Which? (14 Nov 2023)
From impersonating your friends to imitating trusted brands, scammers use social media to trick you into sharing your personal information through private messages or by clicking on a suspicious link.
While these scams may seem convincing at first glance, they are not. Stay one step ahead of the scammers by following our six top tips for spotting a social media scam.
Our six tips
Source: Which? (15 Nov 2023)
POST ALERT: Emails from Sky Yahoo Mail asking to click on link marked "Upgrade Now to Newest Version" are a scam!
Sky Yahoo Mail will never send you an email asking you to click on a link to upgrade to the newest version. If you receive an email like this, it is a scam.
Do not click on the link in the email. If you do, you may be taken to a fake Sky Yahoo Mail website that looks like the real one. This website may try to steal your personal information, such as your username, password, and credit card number.
To protect yourself from this scam:
If you think you may have fallen victim to this scam:
Please help spread the word about this scam to protect your friends and family.
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| Beware of Sky Yahoo Mail upgrade scam |
Purchase fraud, where you are deceived into paying for an item or service that doesn't exist, is up by 35%, according to data from TSB. Scammers create fake social media listings and websites that offer fake bargain deals to defraud unsuspecting online shoppers.
Stay vigilant when shopping online ahead of the Black Friday sales. Follow our tips to help you dodge these scams.
Purchase fraud
Source: Which? (8 Nov 2023)
In anticipation of Black Friday, a time when we all hope to find great deals, scammers have been using Facebook to promote fake Currys websites with attractive but unrealistic offers.
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. We have examples of these fake websites, so you can avoid falling prey to them.
Dodgy deals
Source: Which? (7 Nov 2023)
Which? helped a scam victim who had been offered a fake Cineworld film reviewer job.
The victim initially received small payments, but was soon persuaded to make payments themselves, including taking a loan out to release their earnings. Santander only reimbursed the victim £919 and a further £900 after Which? intervened, but there’s still a way to go for the victim to recover all the money they lost.
If you have lost money to a scam, seek our expert advice on the appropriate steps to take next.
Get our help
With Christmas rapidly approaching here are a few seasonal tips to help keep you safe at home, shopping, visiting, and after Christmas too:
1. If you need to store Christmas food and drink, presents and other goodies within garages and outbuildings, ensure what you are storing is out of sight and that the building is securely locked with good quality well fitted locks. Treat your shed to a shed alarm.
2. Avoid tempting window shopping burglars; don’t leave presents and valuables on full view in front of a window. Having parcels delivered, may be out, make sure that you make suitable secure delivery arrangements to reduce the risk of theft.
3. Whenever leaving the house always ensure that your windows and doors are closed and locked (remember your face covering). Don’t attract burglars to your home by leaving it in darkness; leave lights on timers, perhaps treat yourself to a TV simulator too.
4. Lock gates to keep unwanted visitors from getting to the rear of your home.
5. When you go to leave the house and find that your car is all iced up, don’t leave it unattended with the engine running to de-ice it. It only takes a second to steal your car and it would invalidate any insurance claim.
6. Park safely; look for a Parkmark accredited car park www.parkmark.co.uk/car-park-finder Check that your car is locked before you leave it and don’t leave valuables and gifts on display in your car.
7. Whether an evening out or Christmas shopping keep your bags, handbags, wallets and mobile safe. Busy places make it easier for the sneak thief, so be alert at all times.
8. A Christmas get together – make sure that you have considered how you are getting home in advance and avoid using unlicensed taxis. Ensure you drink responsible, social distance and are aware of your surroundings, whilst keeping your drink and belongings safe.
www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/FAQs/Category/personal-safety
9. Watch what you put on social media; check your settings to ensure that you are not broadcasting when you are not at home and the lovely gifts you may have received.
10. After Christmas don’t advertise your nice gifts to the thieves by putting the empty boxes out for collection, disguise them, fold them up inside out or put them inside another non-descript box.
11. Record your new property free on www.immobilise.com install tracking and security apps on relevant electrical and computer products.
12. Have a Great Christmas and New Year!!
For further crime prevention advice contact Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association at bexleynw@outlook.com
What is a wildlife crime?
Report it: If you think a wildlife crime is being committed then contact Bexley Police, lets protect our wildlife and the green spaces we have left.
With thanks to Colin Freeman Brentwood NW Member.
Christmas Safety Tips
Christmas is a time for celebration and joy, but it's also important to be safe. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe at home, while shopping, visiting, and after Christmas:
Home
Shopping
Visiting
After Christmas
Wildlife crime
Wildlife crime is a serious problem, and it's important to be aware of it. If you see a wildlife crime being committed, report it to Bexley Police.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can help to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during the Christmas season.
AI-powered chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Bard, can produce well-written text, which could arm cybercriminals with the tools to send convincing phishing messages. Find out whether ChatGPT and Bard are doing enough to protect you from scammers.
AI chatbots scams
Source: Which? (27 Oct 2023)
Fraud victims often face a frustrating and unpredictable process when trying to recover their losses. Some banks reimburse almost every penny, while others barely cover a fraction of the losses.
The regulator has released a ranking of the 14 largest UK banking groups based on the amount of money they refunded to victims in 2022. So, find out where your bank ranks.
Your bank’s ranking
Source: Which? (31 Oct 2023)
Social media and email hacking are on the rise, with 18,011 reports made to Action Fraud between August 2022 and July 2023. Of these, 4,092 victims reported being extorted for money or having their accounts used to commit fraud.
There are two main types of account takeovers: on-platform takeovers and email compromise and phishing. In on-platform takeovers, the scammer will trick a victim into sharing or altering crucial account details through the messaging element of the service. In email compromise and phishing, the scammer will send a fake email that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or social media company. The email will contain a link that, when clicked, will take the victim to a fake website that looks identical to the real website. If the victim enters their login details on the fake website, the scammer will be able to steal them. There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from social media and email hacking:
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| Action Fraud warns of social media account and email takeover scams |
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| Stolen White Mercedes Car from Falconwood & Welling - click image to view enlarged |
There is a thief operating in the Brompton Drive area of DA8 2LR. He is a young male who has been seen collecting shoes from doorsteps and breaking into houses. On October 25, 2023, between 1:10 and 1:20 AM, he stole a car after breaking into a house and taking the keys. This is the second time he has been seen in the area, the first time being on September 28, 2023, at 00:48 AM. See footage below.
Please be vigilant and keep your doors and windows locked at all times. If you see anything suspicious, please report it to the police immediately on sladegreen.northend.snt@met.police.uk or 020 8721 2023.
Here are some tips to help keep your home safe:
Thank you for your cooperation.
Source: Nextdoor
With another winter of high energy bills ahead of us, many households have had to make do with colder homes, while others look for ways to improve energy efficiency.
From fake Ofgem offers for free boilers to dodgy dealers cloning prepayment meter keys, con artists are poised to capitalise on widespread money worries with a range of scams.
Check out the latest dodgy energy scams and keep yourself safe over the colder months.
Watch out
Source: Which? (25 Oct 2023)
Which?'s scam tracker highlights the latest scams you need to know about this month, including Booking[dot]com scam warnings and hacked social media accounts.
Which?'s goal is to help you stay ahead of fraudsters and outsmart them. Discover what the latest scams are.
Stay updated
Source: Which? (17 Oct 2023)
Email scams are a common type of ‘phishing’ scam. Scammers usually impersonate legitimate organisations, like HMRC, using convincing branding to deceive people.
These fake emails often contain fraudulent links asking for personal data or malicious software that can infect your device.
If you suspect an email might be a scam, follow our expert tips on email scams to avoid falling prey to scammers.
Email scams
Source: Which? (17 Oct 2023)
Nick Stapleton has been investigating number spoofing scams for BBC Morning Live, including a case where criminals spoofed the phone number of the UK Supreme Court to fool people into handing over their money.
Nick met with ethical hacker Doug Tognarelli, who works with businesses to increase their cyber security. In less than five minutes, he showed that he was able to spoof the phone number of the Supreme Court: the final court of appeal in the UK for all civil cases and most criminal ones.
Nick Stapleton met with Maia, a forensic scientist, who was scammed in May. She received a call saying she had been the victim of identity theft, and that someone from the Supreme Court would follow up directly. She was told to search for the court’s phone number online, and it did indeed match.
Maia told Morning Live: “They told me that they needed me to move my money to other safe accounts, because the investigation now will start, and then my bank accounts would be blocked. I was scared and I was like, hold on a second, Who am I transferring the money to? and the tone changed a bit; she was kind of threatening and told me that I had to cooperate”.
To make the scam more convincing, Maia was told the call was also being monitored by the Ministry of Justice, and that she would receive a further call from them. Again, the phone number tallied up with the official one for the government department, which oversees courts and prisons.
Maia felt pressured into cooperating with the caller, and she began to transfer money. After being on the phone for over two hours, she had transferred more than £10,000.
Maia started to feel suspicious; so she went to the Supreme Court’s website. There she discovered a warning about scammers cloning their phone number. She said: “I was in a state of shock, and then I said ‘you need to stop now, I know that you're a hacker. I'm going to call the police’. At that moment, she hung up.”
Maia reported the scam to her banks and luckily she was able to get most of her money back.
In response to the BBC investigation, a spokesperson from the UK Supreme Court said: “We know that scammers are cloning our phone number and logo and have advisory messages to the public on our website. We never call asking for money or threatening arrest and advise people receiving a call, letter, or email to follow the scams advice on our website.”
The Ministry of Justice told Morning Live: “We sympathise with anyone affected by these shameful scams. The Ministry of Justice will never contact you using an automated message. If you receive a call like this please hang up and report it to Action Fraud.”
The Do Not Originate list is designed to stop scammers using phone numbers to trick people. It’s run by communications watchdog Ofcom, and stops certain numbers from being spoofed before a call can connect. Companies, government agencies like HMRC, and other public bodies can add their phone numbers to the list (pdf).
Ofcom has told the BBC: “Scammers can cause huge distress and financial harm to their victims, and protecting people from harm is a priority for Ofcom. These criminals are becoming more sophisticated and tackling them requires efforts from a range of bodies. We’re working closely with the police, other regulators and industry to tackle the problem.
“One of our initiatives in countering scam calls is the Do Not Originate list. This has proved to be an effective tool, and we review and update the list regularly. We don’t make its contents public, to reduce the risk of scammers using this information to their advantage”.
Be Scam Safe. Remember:
• Never give out your personal
information in response to an incoming call, or rely upon the Caller ID
as the sole means of identification, particularly if the caller asks
you to carry out an action which might have financial consequences. No
legitimate organisation will ever ask you to transfer money over the phone.
• It’s OK to hang up on a caller if something doesn’t seem right. You could be stopping a scam from happening.
•
If you want to check if it’s a genuine organisation that has called
you, you can hang up and call them back. Call the phone number on the
organisation’s website. Remember this scam only works with incoming calls, not outbound ones that you make.
•
Wait for a few minutes before making the call - this ensures the line
has cleared and you're not still speaking to the fraudster or an
accomplice.
• If someone calls you saying they are from your bank,
you can hang up and call 159 to be connected to most major UK banks.”
159 cannot be spoofed and will never call you.
Source: BBC Morning Live (23 October 2023)
Neighbourhood Watch can play an important role in helping to keep communities safe during the forthcoming Christmas period. By working together, neighbours can look out for each other's homes and property, and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Here are some tips for how Neighbourhood Watch can help to keep your community safe at Christmas:
Make sure your home is secure. This means locking all doors and windows, and installing good quality security locks. You should also consider installing CCTV and a burglar alarm system.
Keep your valuables out of sight. Don't leave presents under the Christmas tree or in other places visible to potential burglars. If you're going out for Christmas shopping, lock your presents in the car boot.
Be vigilant when you're out and about. Keep your handbag / wallet close to you and be aware of your surroundings. Don't flash your cash or credit cards in public. Keep your phone pocketed.
Look out for your neighbours. If you see anything suspicious, such as someone trying to break into a house or car, report it to the police immediately.
Neighbourhood Watch can also help to create a sense of community spirit and reduce loneliness and isolation at Christmas.
People searching for loans online are unknowingly signing up for £29.95 a month subscriptions to websites they've never heard of.
We’ve received reports of 13 different 'savings' websites appearing on bank statements. These websites claim to offer daily discount codes, exclusive deals, cashback, and assistance with rebuilding bad credit.
If you suspect you've been a victim of these deceptive practices, read more about these ‘savings’ websites and how to stop recurring payments.
Dodgy subscriptions
Source: Which? (15 Oct 2023)
In the latest episode of the Which? Shorts podcast, we hear about the impact of identity fraud.
We explain how this crime happens and what we can do to stop it. And to help you, our experts, Faye Lipson and Lucia Ariano, tell you everything you need to know about identity fraud.
Can you stop someone from stealing your identity? Tune into our podcast to find out more.
Identity fraud
Source: Which? (18 Oct 2023)
A Which? member was recently cold called by a scammer who pretended to be a police officer. The scammer claimed that the police had arrested someone who had used the member's bank card. When asked for further details, the scammer became aggressive and ended the call.
It's important to remember that the police will never ask for personal or financial information over unsolicited calls. Learn more about this scam and how to prevent nuisance calls.
Impersonation scams
Source: Which? (17 Oct 2023)
A Local borough resident received a text from Jazz Refunds:
"Hi (first name - and removed)
Yes, the text message received from Jazz Refunds is likely a scam or phishing attempt. There are several red flags that indicate this:
jazzmkt.co.uk, is suspicious and does not appear to be associated with any legitimate company.vsms.io/GB. Shortened URLs can be used to hide the true destination of a link, which can be dangerous if the link is malicious.If you click on the link in the text message, you may be taken to a fake website. This website may ask you to enter your personal information, such as your name, address, and credit card number. Scammers can use this information to steal your identity or commit fraud.
Do not click on the link in the text message and do not reply to it. If you think you may have been scammed, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
Here are some tips to avoid being scammed:
If you think you have been scammed, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk.
A local borough resident had a text message from 0776 3519067 saying it was from Royal Mail and that they could not deliver his package as it has an incomplete address. It then asks him to log onto http//UK.royalmail.sbs. Virustotal shows this url as malicious and getsafeonline says it is not safe. Of course he did not.
This is a scam message. Royal Mail will never send you a text message asking you to click on a link to update your address or pay a delivery fee. If you receive a text message like this, do not click on any links or reply to the message. Instead, forward it to 7726 to report it as spam.
The website address in the scam message, UK.royalmail.sbs, is not a legitimate Royal Mail website. It is a fake website that has been set up by scammers to steal your personal information, such as your name, address, and credit card details.
If you have already clicked on the link in the scam message and entered your personal information, you should contact your bank immediately to cancel your credit or debit cards. You should also change your online passwords.
Please be aware of this scam and warn your friends and family.
Here are some tips to help you avoid being scammed:
If you think you have been scammed, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk.
With Christmas fast approaching, advent calendars will soon be popping up everywhere. In September, scammers were quick to create fraudulent Facebook ads promoting the £350 Jo Malone advent calendar for just £30.
Always remember: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Here are examples of these fake ads and scam websites that we've found to help you dodge this scam.
Bogus advent calendars
Source: Which? (11 Oct 2023)
New laws were due to kick in next year to give fairer and more consistent redress for victims of bank transfer scams. However, this has now been delayed. What's worse, the regulator has also proposed that fraud victims should pay a £250 excess when they make a claim.
Learn more about what this could mean for future scam victims.
Fraud protection risk
Source: Which? (11 Oct 2023)
From scammers impersonating the government and offering non-existent discounts on energy bills to posing as your adult children asking for money, scam messages are designed to steal your personal details to con you now or in the future.
Fraudsters use identity-masking technology, also known as spoofing, to make it look like a legitimate organisation or someone you know is contacting you via text or a messaging app.
While these messages might appear legitimate at first, here are some tips to help you become more confident in spotting a scam.
Scam messages
Source: Which? (11 Oct 2023)
The internet’s unequalled choice, 24/7 convenience and flexibility are benefits that suit people of all ages, wherever they live or work and whatever their circumstances. Others, however, prefer to carry on doing things the traditional, offline way for many reasons, a major one being trust. We’ve all either experienced at first hand or heard about negative experiences including online fraud or abuse which are, unfortunately, all too commonplace. In order to go online with safety and confidence, it’s important to get to know who and what you can trust … and who and what you can’t. And it’s vital that everybody who uses the internet can do so with safety and confidence – regardless of gender, ability, appearance, background or beliefs – by being able to trust others’ behaviour and behave responsibly themselves. For more information about the internet and trust please read our latest advice here: https://www.getsafeonline.org/trust/ And if you would like to learn more, then please feel free to join our hour-long webinar tomorrow afternoon at 2pm where Get Safe Online will be joined by Neighbourhood Watch, the British Polio Fellowship, and DeafBlindUk to talk about the internet, trust and inclusivity in more detail. To register visit: https://www.getsafeonline.org/you-the-internet-and-trust-webinar/ [Date:Thursday 12th October, 14:00 – 15:00 BST] Source: Get Safe Online team |
