Saturday 30 September 2023

Van Break-Ins in Crayford - Beware of Black VW Estate Car

There have been reports of a black VW Estate car breaking into vans in the Crayford Sainsbury's area. The car has the registration plate FL13 MXF, but this is a fake plate.

The occupants of the car are described as 2 white men dressed as workmen. One man wears a high visibility vest and is the driver and lookout. The other man wears all black and is the one who drills holes in vans to gain access.

Please be careful and do not leave anything valuable in your van. If you see this vehicle, please report it to the police immediately.

Here are some tips to help prevent van break-ins:

  • Park in well-lit areas, if possible.
  • Remove all valuables from your van, including tools, equipment, and personal belongings.
  • Lock all doors and windows securely.
  • Consider installing a security alarm or CCTV system in your van.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Source: Nextdoor

CAN bus injection car theft and tips to prevent it

In this video, we explore the alarming rise of car thefts using a technique called Control Area Network (CAN) injection. CAN is the communication protocol used by modern vehicles to transmit data between different electronic systems such as the engine, transmission, brakes, and dashboard.

Unfortunately, criminals have figured out how to exploit vulnerabilities in the CAN system, allowing them to inject malicious messages into the network and take control of a vehicle. This technique has become increasingly popular recently and is now a major concern for car manufacturers and law enforcement agencies.
We will look into car theft prevention and the steps you can take to protect your vehicle from CAN injection and other attacks.

Friday 29 September 2023

Appeal for Stolen Blue Jaguar Car from West Heath - update*


A Blue Jaguar car was stolen from a driveway on Pembury Road, DA7 5NB on Friday 15th September between 3:45-4:15pm. The car is a blue Jaguar Model F-PA with the registration number LX69 NMU, year 2019.

The owner is requesting all residents in the area to check their CCTV footage or any other surveillance devices that they may have installed, especially if you live in the vicinity of Pembury Road. Any information, no matter how small, could be vital in recovering the stolen car.

If you have seen this car or have any information regarding its whereabouts, please contact the owner directly or report it to West Heath Police on 101 or 020 8721 2885. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 1111.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

Source: Nextdoor

Stolen Blue Jaguar Car from West Heath - click image to view enlarged

*The owner has informed us that their car was found by the police on November 2nd.


How to Report Phishing Pages to Google: A Step-by-Step Guide

To report a phishing page to Google, you can use the following steps:

  1. Go to the Report a Phishing Page: https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/?hl=en page.
  2. In the URL field, enter the URL of the phishing page you want to report.
  3. In the Category field, select the category that best describes the phishing page.
  4. Click the Send a Report button.

Google will review your report and take appropriate action. If the phishing page is confirmed, Google will add it to its list of unsafe websites and warn users who try to visit it.

Here are some additional tips for reporting phishing pages to Google:

  • Be as specific as possible in your report. Include the URL of the phishing page, the date and time you encountered it, and any other relevant information.
  • If you have screenshots of the phishing page, include them with your report.
  • If you have any information about the owner or operator of the phishing page, include it with your report.

By reporting phishing pages to Google, you can help to protect other users from falling victim to these scams.

Thank you for your help in keeping the web safe!

Appeal for Kia Sorrento stolen from outside house

Our Kia Sorrento (FX69VGC), a 2019 model, was stolen from outside our house in Durham Road, Sidcup, on Tuesday 26 September 2023, at approximately 20:45pm. We had only had the car for two weeks.

The car was taken using a new technique called CAN bus injection, which involves hacking the car's computer from outside and opening and starting it. Korean cars are particularly vulnerable to this method.

We are asking for your help in finding our car. If you see it, please contact the police immediately at sidcup.snt@met.police.uk, or 07464492489.

We are also urging other Kia owners to take steps to protect their cars from theft. This includes installing a ghost immobiliser, steering wheel lock, tracker, and CCTV if possible.

Here are some additional tips to help prevent CAN bus injection attacks:

  • Keep your vehicle's software up to date.
  • Be careful about what devices you plug into your vehicle's OBD-II port.
  • Be aware of the risks of using aftermarket devices, such as remote start systems.

Thank you for your help.

Person 1: Black top/hoods up, black/dark bottoms Person 2: Black/dark top hoods up, jeans top hoods up

Vehicle:

  • Colour: Grey/graphite
  • Reg. No.: FX69VGC
  • Make: Kia
  • Model: Sorrento
  • Year: 2019

Please share this appeal with your friends and family.



Source: Nextdoor

Thursday 28 September 2023

Hijacking headlines: how scammers exploit the news agenda

Fraudsters are quick to exploit major news events to deceive unsuspecting victims.

Scammers can easily set up copycat websites or social media profiles in just a matter of minutes, posing as an organisation currently in the headlines and using these platforms to trick people into various scams.

One example involves scammers impersonating Ofgem to offer an 'energy bill rebate scheme' to families struggling to meet their payments.

See more examples of how fraudsters exploit news headlines and how you can dodge them.

Major event scams

Source: Which? (26 Sep 2023)

Fraudsters target Halifax customers

Which? have received multiple reports about unsolicited emails from scammers posing as Halifax. These messages appear to come from Halifax, but the true sender addresses are hijacked TalkTalk and Tiscali accounts.

The scammers used convincing Halifax branding and claimed to be asking customers to 'refresh their contact details' as an extra security measure, inviting them to click a link that redirects to a fake Halifax website.

Legitimate banks will never ask for sensitive information such as your PIN or full password via email. If you receive a suspicious email, find out how to check the website's details, including the creation date, to avoid these scams.

Halifax phishing scam - the fake website may look identical to the genuine Halifax website, the real Halifax domain is [halifax-online.co.uk] not [hlfx-online.com]. Visit link below to find out more.

Source: Which? (26 Sep 2023)

How much do you know about phone scams?

Phone scams, commonly known as 'vishing', involve fraudsters trying to deceive you over the phone.

It can be challenging to detect a phone scam, as there are many types in operation. One common example is when fraudsters spoof phone numbers to impersonate your bank's fraud department. They then urge you to transfer your money to a 'safe' account before disappearing with your cash.

Always approach unsolicited calls with caution. Scammers can be persuasive, so don't trust calls that come out of the blue. Learn more about the most common types of phone scams and follow our tips to stay safe.

Get our expert advice

Source: Which? (4 Sep 2023)

Thursday 21 September 2023

Bexley Monthly Crime Stats by Wards for 2023 - tutorial

Monthly Crime Data New Cats by Metropolitan Police Service.



Tutorial to show how to navigate the Monthly Crime Stats for ease of reference.

What is Clickbait and how to avoid it?

Clickbait is a type of web content that is designed to attract attention and encourage viewers to click on a link to a particular article, video, or piece of content. It often uses sensationalised headlines, exaggerated claims, or misleading information to pique viewers' curiosity.

Clickbait can be found on a variety of websites, including news outlets, social media platforms, and video-sharing sites. It is often used to drive traffic to websites and generate ad revenue. However, clickbait can also be used to spread misinformation and disinformation.

Here are some examples of clickbait headlines:


• You'll Never Believe What Happened to This Celebrity!
• This One Weird Trick Will Help You Lose Weight Fast!
• This Video Will Change Your Life!
• 10 Things You Didn't Know About X
• You Won't Believe What This Kid Did in Class!

Clickbait headlines often use certain words and phrases to grab viewers' attention, such as "you'll never believe," "this one weird trick," "will change your life," "10 things you didn't know," and "you won't believe." They may also use exclamation points and all caps to create a sense of urgency.

While clickbait can be effective in attracting attention and driving traffic, it can also be frustrating and misleading for viewers. When viewers click on a clickbait headline and find that the content does not live up to the promise of the headline, they may feel cheated and less likely to click on links in the future.

Here are some tips for avoiding clickbait:


• Be skeptical of headlines that make exaggerated claims or seem too good to be true.
• If the headline is designed to evoke a strong emotional response, such as shock, anger, or curiosity, be cautious.
• Look for headlines that are informative and accurately reflect the content of the article or video.
• If you are unsure whether a headline is clickbait, try to find more information about the content from another source.

If you see clickbait, you can help to reduce its spread by reporting it to the website or platform where you saw it. You can also educate your friends and family about clickbait so that they can avoid it as well.



A warning to landline users

The digital switchover, which is expected to be completed in 2025, will involve UK telephone providers moving customers from old analogue landlines to services which use digital technology.

The move is free of charge, but there have been reports of fraudsters calling vulnerable people claiming they need their bank details as part of the switchover or their service will be disconnected.

Unfortunately, these scam attempts will likely rise as the switchover date nears. Stay alert of calls out of the blue and share this story with friends and family.

Digital switchover scam

Source: Which? (19 Sep 2023)

Victim loses more than £6,000 after buying an £8 camera on eBay

The victim followed the instructions to download an app from the Google Play store. He didn't know it at the time, but he was installing malware on his phone, which allowed scammers to hack his bank account and steal thousands of pounds.

Malware is commonly used by scammers, but it isn't always detected by antivirus software. Find out more about this scam.

Malware scams

Source: Which? (21 Sep 2023)

The Online Safety Bill

Tech giants will be ordered to block and remove scams from their platforms, or face huge new fines from Ofcom.

On Tuesday, it was announced the Online Safety Bill is now ready to become law. Crucially, it includes our campaign calls for protections against devastating scam adverts on social media platforms and search engines.

This is a groundbreaking moment in our fight against online scams, marking a major step towards a safer internet. Read more about what it means for online safety.

Online safety

Source: Which? (20 Sep 2023)

Saturday 16 September 2023

Give East Wickham, Crook Log & West Heath Policing Team - Your survey Feedback

We are here to listen to you and work for you. Give your Local Police Team feedback, by clicking on the following link, or scan the QR code below:

Thursday 14 September 2023

How recovery scammers trick vulnerable victims

Recovery scammers often target people who have recently lost money to fraudsters, taking advantage of them at a time of vulnerability. From impersonating regulators to stalking social media platforms to find potential victims, recovery scammers use various tactics.

Here are some examples of how recovery scams work to help you avoid falling prey.

Find out more

Source: Which? (11 Sep 2023)

Monzo customers can now check if they're on the phone to a scammer

Bank scams can be devastating for victims, both financially and emotionally. One common type is when scammers pretend to be your bank and claim your account has a security issue.

Monzo has launched a new in-app tool enabling customers to tell if they're speaking to a fraudster. The digital bank's 'call status' tool will allow users to check if a call from the bank is genuine – while they're on the line.

Learn more about how the tool works and get advice on what to do if you've been scammed.

Better bank security

Source: Which? (9 Sep 2023)

Young adults are being targeted by impersonation scams

According to new figures from UK Finance, nearly half of young adults have been targeted by impersonation scams. In 2022 alone, victims lost £178 million to these types of scams.

Impersonation scams can have serious consequences, and people need to be aware of them and take steps to protect themselves. Discover how impersonation scams work and get our expert advice on staying safe.

Impersonation scams

Source: Which? (10 Sep 2023)

Beware Quishing and QR Code Jacking: The Newest Scam

 Here is a summary of the article "QR code jacking":

  • QR codes are being used by criminals to steal people's personal details, such as bank account numbers.
  • Fraudsters place QR codes in public places, such as parking meters and restaurant menus. When someone scans the code, they are directed to a fake website that looks like the real website. The fake website asks for the victim's personal details, which are then stolen by the fraudsters.
  • To protect yourself from QR code jacking, avoid scanning QR codes in public places. If you do scan a QR code, make sure to check the website URL to make sure it is genuine.
  • Another way that criminals use QR codes to steal personal details is through phishing emails. Phishing emails are emails that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government agency. The email may contain a QR code that, when scanned, takes the victim to a fake website that looks like the real website. The fake website asks for the victim's personal details, which are then stolen by the fraudsters.
  • To protect yourself from phishing emails, never click on links or scan QR codes in emails. If you are concerned about an email, contact the organisation that it claims to be from directly.

Here are some additional tips to help you stay safe from QR code jacking:

  • Only scan QR codes from trusted sources.
  • Be suspicious of QR codes that are sent to you unsolicited.
  • Never provide your personal details through a QR code.
  • If you think you have been the victim of QR code jacking, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
Some useful sources for further information:

Tuesday 12 September 2023

Walk and Talk Belvedere Event Bexley

Click image to view enlarged

Date: Thursday 21st September 2023
Time: 6pm
Venue: Outside Belvedere Station, Station Road, Belvedere, DA17 6JJ

Safety Online Tips for Students

A student’s life is a busy one. So busy that when they’re online – which is almost certainly quite a lot of the time – they could be too busy to think about whether what they’re doing is safe and secure.

Add to this the fact that young people tend to take greater risks than their parents, and it could be that they would benefit from some simple advice about protecting themselves from the multitude of online harms they might encounter every day.

Help your child live a trouble-free student life online by sharing these top tips.

Steering clear of fraud

Fraudulent texts, emails, DMs and calls claiming to be from the bank, student loan provider, HMRC and other trusted organisations are commonplace. Overseas students can be targeted by visa fraudsters too. Not thinking before they click could cost your child their money or identity, or both.

Banking

Your child should keep their banking and other financial details private, and make money transfers safely via their bank’s app. They should also get to know their Student Money Adviser.

Buying

Suggest your child checks if a website they’re buying from is likely to be legit or fraudulent, at www.getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite

Making payments

Payment by bank transfer to an unknown person or company for accommodation deposits, fees or other costs or purchases should be avoided. Using a card is considerably safer.

Accommodation

Help your child check out new accommodation in person, and make sure the advertiser is authentic before paying any money. Deposits and other up-front payments should be paid by credit card for extra protection.

Oversharing

What goes online stays online. Financial and other confidential details should be kept private, as should passwords and other login details. Intimate images shared innocently can fall into the wrong hands. Location settings on phones and apps should be checked to help protect physical safety. Freebies and prize draws asking for confidential data should be avoided.

Online responsibility

There’s no place online for any kind of abuse, hate speech, forcing views on others or criminal activity. Remember: 70% of employers check out candidates’ social media profiles before interviewing and hiring.

Using mobile devices and Wi-Fi

Phones, tablets and laptops should be protected at all times. If what your child is doing is confidential or financial, they should avoid using Wi-Fi hotspots as there’s no guarantee they’re secure. Warn your child about location services on apps too.

Gambling

For some students, betting can become a bad habit. Remind your child how much money and time they could be wasting and the positive things they could do with it. Point out the fine line between gaming and gambling.

Dating

Top tips are to use a reputable app or site and keep conversations on its messaging platform. Not everyone is who they claim to be … some even use online dating to commit fraud or threaten their date’s physical safety. Tell them not to be afraid to block or say no.

If it feels wrong, don’t do it!

Your child should never be put under pressure to do something they feel uncomfortable with, or put others under pressure. Like sharing intimate pics, harmful pranking, extreme content, social media hacking or any kind of extremism.

Jobs that are too good to be true

Students are favourite targets for illegal get rich quick schemes, like jobs with pay that’s too good to be true or others using their bank accounts to ‘process payments’. Money muling or laundering could result a criminal recordeven if it’s done innocently.

Making cyberchoices

Clever coders and gamers are sometimes recruited by cybercriminals wanting their skills for malware coding or hacking. Talk to your child about the consequences and discuss alternatives like a lucrative career in cybersecurity.

Source: https://www.getsafeonline.org/students/

Bexley Magazine - Autumn 2023

Local information, community news and what's on in the London Borough of Bexley. 

https://issuu.com/bexleylondonborough/docs/bexmagautumn2023

  • p10 - Fair Use Changes for Recycling Centres
  • p11 - Bexley Community Survey 2023 (until friday 27 October 2023) or online
  • p20 - Keeping the Community Safe (from BBNWA)

Saturday 2 September 2023

Freedom Pass scam website alert

BE AWARE: Do not use https://freedom-pass.co.uk/ to make a Freedom Pass application or to order a replacement Freedom Pass. This is a fake website that we have reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.

Freedom Pass scam website alert

(click image to view enlarged)

How to Report Scams, Fraud and Online Crime to Action Fraud

If you’ve been the victim of a scam, fraud or online crime (cybercrime) you can report it to Action Fraud

Action Fraud is the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. It collects reports about fraud on behalf of the police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For fraud in Scotland please report it directly to Police Scotland.

Registering with Action Fraud

You can make a report as a guest, without registering and creating an account.

But we recommend you create an account first, because then you’ll be able to:

  • save and come back to a report you haven’t finished
  • see updates on what’s happened to your report
  • add information to your report
  • phone Action Fraud to discuss your report
  • get updates by email

What you can report to Action Fraud

You can report scams, fraud and online crime (cybercrime) to Action Fraud, except you should report:

To report one of these please follow the links above.

What happens after you report something to Action Fraud 

After you’ve reported something to Action Fraud, your report will be sent to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), which is part of the City of London police. They’ll decide what to do next.

If the NFIB decide there might be enough information in your report for the police to investigate, they'll send it to the local police force for the place the crime happened. That police force will look at the information and decide whether to investigate the case. They should tell you what they’re going to do.

Whether or not the NFIB decide to send your report on to local police to investigate, you’ll be told what the NFIB have done within 28 days of when you made your report (or whenever you last sent an update).

The NFIB might also take other action, for example to take down websites or phone numbers that are used to commit fraud.

Getting an update on your report

To be able to get an update on your report, you need to register with Action Fraud before you make your report. Then you can track the progress of your report by logging into your account.

After logging in, to check your report’s status click ‘My account’ in the top-right hand corner then click ‘My reports’.

Once a case has been passed to a local police force, they’re responsible for keeping you updated.

Other options if you’ve been scammed or defrauded (civil redress)

If the police decide not to investigate your case as a crime, you might still be able to get compensation or money back by bringing a civil case yourself.

Talk to a solicitor or asset recovery agent to find out more.

Source: Met Police (Action Fraud)

Friday 1 September 2023

ULEZ scams: drivers targeted by dodgy websites

London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has expanded, with drivers across the capital – and those visiting – facing a daily charge of £12.50 if their car doesn’t meet the required emissions standards.

A member of the public approached us after inadvertently paying a dodgy company that appeared as 'Ulezpayservice' on their bank statement, rather than the official TfL website. Their bank later informed them that this retailer had set up a continuous payment authority (allowing them to take recurring payments) that has since been cancelled.

Here's how to spot a ULEZ scam and what to do if you've already made a payment.

ULEZ scams

Source: Which? (26 Aug 2023)

Scamwatch: dodgy driving licence posts on Facebook

Which? investigation found multiple Facebook pages and groups with names, including ‘Buy legit UK drivers licence’ and ‘Full registered UK driver’s licence’, offering ‘official’ documents without the inconvenience of having to pass an exam.

The DVLA confirms that these posts are generally phishing scams aimed at getting victims’ payment and personal details. Read more about the fraudsters lurking behind these dodgy posts on Facebook.

Phishing scams

Source: Which? (29 Aug 2023)

Netflix Scam Email Warning

Netflix customers are being warned about a new scam email that is being sent out. The email claims that the recipient's Netflix subscription has been suspended due to a failed payment. The email then asks the recipient to click on a link to update their payment information.

This email is a scam. Netflix will never send an email asking you to update your payment information. If you receive an email like this, do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Instead, delete the email immediately.

Here are some tips to help you spot a Netflix scam email:

  • The email will not be addressed to you by name.
  • The email will come from an email address that does not end in @netflix.com.
  • The email will contain grammar or spelling errors.
  • The email will ask you to click on a link or provide personal information.

If you are ever unsure whether an email is from Netflix, you can always contact Netflix directly through their website or customer service line.

Here are some additional tips to help protect yourself from online scams:

  • Be careful about what information you share online.
  • Only shop on secure websites.
  • Keep your software up to date.
  • Use a strong password and change it regularly.
  • Be suspicious of any email that asks for personal information.

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from online scams.

Netflix Scam Email Warning


Fake antivirus scam emails return

Which? have seen a resurgence in fake AVG and McAfee antivirus emails trying to trick people into 'renewing' antivirus software. The...