Scammed by fake Sky customer support

When you've had a problem with a company, contacting customer support is a first step to resolving your issue. However, scammers are setting up fake accounts on Facebook and WhatsApp to try to trick people into contacting them, rather than genuine customer services.

We spoke to one Sky customer who was targeted by fraudsters after he posted on what he believed was an official Sky Facebook page. Our fraud expert Faye Lipson explains how this scam works and what to do if you're targeted.

Source: Which? (29 Oct 2026)

Scams to watch out for right now

Stay in the know about the scams that are currently targeting people across the UK. Our experts share real examples and telltale signs to look out for, so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

The latest scams we've spotted include a PayPal invoice scam and fraudsters impersonating banks. Check out our full list.

Source: Which? (28 Oct 2026)

Scammed, abandoned and forgotten

Two years on from the last Which? investigation into the impact of fraud on victims, financial losses reached new highs in 2025, and the UK's scam crisis remains stuck in a cycle of systemic failures.

Our investigative reporter Chiara Cavaglieri reveals the lasting mental and financial scars left by fraud and explains why the safety nets designed to protect victims are falling short.

Source: Which? (26 Oct 2026)

Burglary Alert: Property Targetted on Wren Road – Local Security Advice

Local officers are appealing for information following a burglary at a residential property on Wren Road, which occurred between 19th October and 27th October.

Neighbourhood policing teams are carrying out enquiries and increasing patrols across the immediate area. In light of this recent incident, residents on Wren Road and nearby streets are urged to check their home security measures and remain vigilant.

Were You in the Wren Road Area?

Police are seeking information, witness reports, or digital footage that could assist with the investigation.

• CCTV & Doorbell Footage: If you live on or near Wren Road, please check your home security systems, Ring doorbells, or dashcam footage recorded between 19th and 27th October for any unusual movement, unfamiliar vehicles, or suspicious activity.

• Suspicious Activity: Did you notice anything out of the ordinary—such as individuals loitering, knocking on doors under unusual pretexts, or vehicles driving slowly along the road?

Practical Home Security Checklist

Opportunistic thieves often target vulnerable access points. Protect your home by following these practical precautions:

• Lock Doors and Windows: Ensure UPVC doors are double-locked (lift the handle and turn the key) and windows are secured, even when you are briefly out or in the garden.

• Set Timers for Lighting: With darker evenings approaching, set plug-in timer switches for lamps to make your home look occupied when you are away.

• Keep Valuables Hidden: Avoid leaving car keys, handbags, laptops, or cash on hall tables, window sills, or near letterboxes where they can be seen or fished out.

• Secure Boundaries and Outbuildings: Lock side gates, sheds, and garages, and clear away any ladders or garden tools that could be used to force entry.

How to Report Information

If you have any information, CCTV footage, or dashcam recordings relating to the Wren Road burglary, please contact the authorities promptly:

• Non-Emergency & Information: Call 101 or submit information online via the official Metropolitan Police reporting page, referencing the incident on Wren Road.

• Anonymous Reporting: Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

• In an Emergency: Always dial 999 if a crime is in progress or a suspect is nearby.

MetEngage Alert - https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/517209/Local-Burglary-Message

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH APPEAL & SAFETY ALERT: Attempted Burglary / Criminal Damage in Cold Blow

Incident Summary Residents in the Cold Blow Crescent area are advised to stay vigilant following an incident on Friday, 23 October 2026, at approximately 18:46hrs.

Occupants of a property on Cold Blow Crescent were inside when they heard a loud bang and glass smashing coming from the kitchen. Upon investigating, they found that the glass panel in their rear door had been deliberately broken.

CCTV footage captured a male suspect approaching the rear door and smashing the glass. The suspect fled immediately when the occupant screamed. A Police Dog Unit attended the scene and tracked from the rear of the property across adjacent fields towards the A2, where the trail was lost.

🔍 Can You Help? (Appeal for CCTV & Dashcam Footage)

Police and Neighbourhood Watch are appealing to anyone in the surrounding area who may have seen or heard anything suspicious around this time.

• CCTV / Ring Doorbells: If you live on Cold Blow Crescent or adjacent roads, please check your footage between 18:30hrs and 19:15hrs on Friday, 23 October.

• Dashcam Footage: If you were driving along the A2 near the Cold Blow / Dartford Heath area around 18:45hrs–19:15hrs, please check your dashcam for any pedestrians or suspicious activity on or near the main road.

If you have any information or footage, please contact the Police quoting the incident date and location using the contact details below.

🛡️ Security Advice for Residents

• Check Rear Perimeter Doors: Ensure rear kitchen/patio doors are fitted with laminated safety glass or internal window security film to make glass harder to shatter.

• Security Lighting: Consider installing motion-activated floodlights covering rear gardens, side passages, and access paths leading from open fields.

• CCTV & Alarms: Ensure cameras cover rear access points and that motion zones are properly calibrated. Keep alarms set, even when at home.

• Report Immediately: If you hear glass breaking or see suspicious individuals scoping out properties from nearby fields or roads, call 999 straight away.

📞 St Mary's & St James' Ward Police Contact Details & Guidelines

• In an Emergency: Call 999 immediately if a crime is in progress, an offender is still at or near the scene, or there is a threat to life or safety.

• Non-Emergency Enquiries & Crime Reporting:

  • Call 101 (Metropolitan Police non-emergency line).

  • Report online via the Met Police portal at met.police.uk.

• St Mary's & St James' Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):

  • Email (Ward Team): Stmarys.stjames.SNT@met.police.uk

  • SNT Telephone: 020 8721 2816

  • Team Base: Bexleyheath Police Station, 2 Arnsberg Way, Bexleyheath, DA7 4QS

  • Met Engage Ward Updates: You can follow local priorities or reach your ward team directly on metengage.co.uk. (Note: Dedicated ward email/phone lines are for non-urgent neighbourhood advice; do not use them to report active crimes).

• Report Anonymously: Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

MetEngage Alert - https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/517203/Attempted-Burglary-Update

How Neighbours by Ring Powers Modern Neighbourhood Watch Schemes Across the UK

Neighbourhood Watch schemes have long been a cornerstone of British community spirit. Traditionally, keeping an eye out meant relying on window stickers, local newsletters, or chance chats over the garden fence.

With Neighbours by Ring, local safety and community awareness are going digital. Integrated directly into the main Ring app, this free feature acts as a hyper-local digital noticeboard, helping UK residents share real-time safety alerts, report suspicious activity, and reunite lost pets.

Below is everything you need to know about how Neighbours works alongside traditional Neighbourhood Watch principles, how to access it correctly in the UK, and how to report alerts effectively.

📌 Important UK Download & Access Note

• Do NOT search for "Neighbors by Ring" as a standalone app: If you search for the separate Neighbors by Ring app in the UK Google Play Store or Apple App Store, you will see an error message stating: "This item is not available in your country". That standalone listing is restricted to the US.
  
  
• Download the main "Ring" App: In the UK, the Neighbours feature is built directly inside the standard, main Ring app (by Ring.com).
  
  
• No Ring Device Required: You do not need to own a Ring Video Doorbell or Security Camera. Anyone can download the free Ring app on iOS or Android, create an account, and access the Neighbours feed.
  
  

What is Neighbours by Ring?

Neighbours is a community-powered space built into the standard Ring app. It creates a hyper-local safety radius around your home address so you can stay informed about what’s happening in your immediate area.

Key Highlights:

• No Ring Device Required: You do not need to own a Ring Video Doorbell or Security Camera to use the Neighbours feature—it is completely free for anyone who downloads the Ring app on iOS or Android.
  
  
• Customisable Radius: You can adjust the size of your neighbourhood boundary (from 0.1 to 5 miles) to focus strictly on your street or broaden it to cover surrounding roads.
  
  
• Multi-Location Support: You can set up and monitor up to three different locations (such as your home, a relative’s property, or your workplace).
  
  

🚨 CRITICAL: Report Crime to the Police FIRST (CAD / Crime Reference Number)

Sharing CCTV or doorbell footage on community apps is a fantastic way to keep your street informed, but posting on an app does NOT automatically report the incident to the police.

In a recent meeting with a local Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT), an officer highlighted a major issue: residents frequently share footage of attempted vehicle thefts or suspicious activity online, yet when officers check police systems, zero incidents are recorded for that street.

If an incident is not officially reported to the police:

1. It doesn't count towards local crime statistics—which can lead to reduced police patrols and fewer resources allocated to your area.
   
   
2. Police cannot investigate or view your footage without an official case file open.
   
   

The Correct Step-by-Step Reporting Process:

1. Report to the Police First:
   
   
   • Emergency (Active Crime in Progress): Call 999 immediately.
     
     
   • Non-Emergency / Past Incident (e.g. Attempted Car Theft): Call 101 or submit an online crime report via your local police force website (e.g. Metropolitan Police).
     
     
2. Obtain Your Reference Number: Note down the CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) Reference Number or Crime Reference Number provided by the police.
   
   
3. Share on Neighbours by Ring: Create your post in the Ring app, attach your details/footage, and always include your CAD or Crime Reference Number in the description.
   
   

Why include your CAD/Crime Ref? Quoting your reference number allows neighbours whose cameras may have captured the same suspect to pass their clips to the police under the same case file, building a solid evidential chain.

How It Complements UK Neighbourhood Watch Schemes

1. Real-Time Safety Alerts: Instead of waiting days to hear about an incident on a local forum or WhatsApp group, Neighbours sends instant push notifications when a nearby resident posts a verified safety concern or alert.
   
   
2. Reuniting Lost Pets (Search Party): Ring works in partnership with Dogs Trust in the UK. When a dog goes missing nearby, owners can post a lost pet alert. Outdoor Ring cameras can even help match lost dog reports, allowing neighbours to coordinate a search party and bring missing pets home safely.
   
   
3. Public Safety Engagement: Verified public safety organisations and local community groups can post official updates, offer safety tips, or issue urgent warnings directly to the feed.
   
   
4. Complete Privacy & Control: Your home address and video footage are never publicly broadcast. Poster details remain anonymous (e.g., "Neighbour 1") to protect user privacy, and you maintain full control over what footage or details you share.
   
   

Step-by-Step: How to Access & Set Up Neighbours

1. Download the Ring App: Search for "Ring" (by Ring.com) on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (do not search for the standalone US "Neighbors" app).
   
   
2. Open the Neighbours Tile: Log in or create a free account, then tap the Neighbours tile on your main app dashboard.
   
   
3. Set Your Boundary: Go to your Neighbours settings to define your neighbourhood radius (0.1 to 5 miles) and adjust your notification preferences so you only receive alerts that matter to you.
   
   

Step-by-Step: How to Report an Alert or Post an Update

If you witness a security concern, suspicious activity, or lose a pet, publishing an alert takes only a few taps:

1. Open Neighbours: Launch the Ring app and navigate to the Neighbours section.
   
   
2. Tap the Plus (+) / Post Button: Select the option to create a new post.
   
   
3. Choose Your Post Category:
   
   
   • Safety / Incident: Share details regarding suspicious activity, attempted break-ins, or local hazards.
     
     
   • Lost Pet: Upload details and photos to initiate a local Search Party.
     
     
   • Community Updates: Share general safety advice or local community notices.
     
     
4. Add Context, Media & Police Ref: Write a concise description (time, location details, context), attach relevant photo or video clips, and include your CAD or Crime Reference Number.
   
   
5. Publish to Your Neighbourhood: Tap Share. Once verified by moderation, your alert will notify nearby residents within your set radius.
   
   

Note: Always report active crimes or emergencies directly to 999 (or 101 for non-emergencies) before posting on community apps.

Summary

By combining traditional community vigilance with modern digital tools, Neighbours by Ring empowers UK residents to look out for one another more effectively than ever. Whether it's preventing local vehicle crime or bringing a lost dog back home, staying connected—and ensuring crimes are officially reported to the police—is the simplest way to build safer, stronger British communities.

 

Neighbours Ring app - click image to view enlarged

 

7 easy ways to outsmart scammers

Protecting yourself from scammers doesn't necessarily mean spending hours changing passwords or digging through your phone's settings. Sometimes, a small change to your everyday habits can make a big difference.

We asked Which? experts to share the precautions they take in their own lives, including one colleague whose family came up with a secret code for their messages after a particularly frightening WhatsApp scam.

Source: Which? (20 Oct 2026) 

How to screen calls to avoid scammers

Scam calls can be disruptive at best and financially devastating at worst. Unfortunately, the problem isn't going away, with new figures from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) showing that complaints about automated nuisance calls have reached a five-year high.

But there are ways to fight back. Our tech expert, Tom Morgan, explains how to keep scam calls at bay.

Prefer 1-2-1 technical advice? Join Which? Tech Support. Our friendly team is there to chat on the phone or by email as often as you need. Find out more and get 50% off an annual membership for the first year. Offer ends 31 October.

Source: Which? (21 Oct 2026) 

What to do if a scammer has your bank details

If a fraudster has your bank details, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card or from its official website.

Once you've done that, you might need to secure other accounts depending on what details the scammer has obtained. Our experts explain the steps to take after speaking with your bank.

Source: Which? ( 20 Oct 2026)

​Community Event: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Information Session

Sidcup Partners is hosting an upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Information Event aimed at building safer communities together.

 

Whether for personal knowledge or to help a friend, neighbour, or colleague, all community members are encouraged to come along, learn, and share the information.

 

Event Details:

 * Date: Wednesday, 28th October

 * Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

 * Location: Sidcup Leisure Centre

 

What to Expect:

 * Learn Key Information: Find out how to spot the signs of abuse, how to report concerns, and how to support someone who may be struggling.

 * Resources & Advice: Confidential information and personal alarms will be available on-site.

 * Refreshments: Complimentary tea, coffee, and cake will be served.

 

Even if you never need the information yourself, knowing what to do could help someone close to you. Please share this event across your local networks to help spread the word!

 

Scams to watch out for right now

Stay in the know about scams that are currently targeting people across the UK. Our experts share real examples and telltale signs to look out for, so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

The latest scams we've spotted include a dodgy pop-up claiming to be from Apple and a fake NatWest email. Check out our full list.

Source: Which? (14 Oct 2026)

British medical endorsements used in scams

Which? exposes how fraudsters based overseas are using trusted medical endorsements, including the British Dental Association, to peddle dodgy products on social media.

An ad must not display a trust mark, quality mark or equivalent without the necessary authorisation. However, we found plenty of ads on Facebook and Instagram doing just that. See the examples we reported to Meta and find out how to spot fake ads online.

Source: Which? (14 Oct 2026)

Who is stopping these dodgy advertisers?

When our investigations find scam ads, we report them to the platform and they're usually (eventually) taken down. However, we've found that sometimes the advertiser behind the scam remains active.

We reveal three scam advertisers that have continued to publish scam ads even after Which? has had their content taken down.

Source: Which? (15 Oct 2026)

Bexley Crime stats ward summary Sep 2026

 

Source: Bexley Watch Viz

Don't Let 'Porch Pirates' Steal Your Festive Cheer: Lessons from Channel 5

If you caught Matt Allwright and consumer champion Harry Kind on Channel 5 (aired friday 9 Oct 2026), you’ll know a familiar autumn and winter nightmare was top of the agenda: porch piracy.

With October kicking off prime shopping season for Halloween costumes, autumn decor, and early Christmas presents, doorstep delivery theft is surging. Thieves know deliveries peak between October and December, leaving unattended doorstep parcels as prime targets for opportunistic grabs.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of consumer rights, who is legally liable when a parcel goes missing, and actionable advice from Neighbourhood Watch to keep your deliveries safe this season.

Consumer Rights & Legal Liability: Who Is Responsible?

When a parcel is stolen or lost from your doorstep, courier companies often try to fob consumers off, and retailers may claim "it shows as delivered". Under UK law, the rules surrounding contractual obligations and risk transfer are clear.

1. Your Legal Contract is with the Retailer, NOT the Courier

When you buy an item online, your legal contract is strictly with the retailer who sold you the goods—not the courier company delivering them.

• Do not get passed back and forth: The retailer cannot force you to deal directly with Evri, DPD, Royal Mail, or Amazon Logistics. It is the retailer’s responsibility to deal with their chosen delivery provider.

2. Physical Possession & Risk Transfer (Section 29, Consumer Rights Act 2015)

Under Section 29 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, goods remain at the trader’s risk until they come into the physical possession of either you or a person identified by you to take possession of the goods.

• Doorstep Photos Are NOT Legal Proof of Delivery: A driver taking a photo of a box sitting on your door mat or doorstep does not constitute physical delivery to you. Unless you explicitly gave permission for that location, it remains an uncompleted delivery.

• If left on a doorstep without consent and stolen, the retailer must provide a full refund or a replacement.

3. The "Nominated Safe Place" Trap

Be careful when selecting delivery preferences in courier apps:

• If you explicitly nominate a safe place (e.g., "leave in the shed" or "behind the wheelie bin"), the legal risk transfers to you the moment the driver leaves the parcel there.

• If it is subsequently stolen from a designated safe place, the retailer is generally no longer legally liable. Only nominate places that are genuinely secure.

What Payment Protections Do You Have?

If a retailer refuses to issue a refund for an unauthorized doorstep drop, you can leverage payment protections:

• Section 75 (Consumer Credit Act 1974): For purchases paid by credit card over £100 (up to £30,000), your credit card provider is jointly liable with the seller. You can submit a Section 75 claim directly through your bank.

• Chargeback Scheme: For debit card transactions or purchases under £100 on a credit card, file a Chargeback dispute through your bank within 120 days of the purchase date.

Neighbourhood Watch & Community Prevention Advice

Neighbourhood Watch networks across the UK emphasize that community vigilance and smart habits are the most effective ways to deter opportunistic thieves during the peak festive shopping period.

Community & Vigilance Guidelines

1. Coordinate with Neighbours: Build a agreement with trusted neighbours to collect each other’s parcels when someone is out. Specify a named, trusted neighbour directly in your delivery app options.

2. Join Local WhatsApp or Watch Schemes: Share alerts about suspicious vehicles or individuals following delivery vans down suburban streets. Porch pirates frequently tail couriers and grab packages within minutes of a drop-off.

3. Report Every Incident: Research shows only a fraction of doorstep thefts are reported to the police. Always report thefts via 101 or your local police web portal to help build crime mapping intelligence in your area.

4. Never Leave Parcels Visible from the Road: If expecting a delivery while away, ask a neighbour or relative to move visible packages inside so criminals don't spot an empty home.

Essential Crime Prevention Checklist

Measure	How It Protects You
Secure Lockers & PUDO	Eliminate doorstep drops altogether using Amazon Lockers, InPost Lockers, or DPD/Evri Pickup points.
Smart Video Doorbells	Gives motion alerts and allows real-time two-way audio to instruct drivers to hold or redirect parcels.
Locked Smart Boxes	Install a bolted, secure parcel drop-box requiring a one-time passcode for drivers.
Workplace Delivery	Direct packages to your place of work during standard business hours.

Step-by-Step Action Plan If Your Package Is Stolen

1. Obtain Proof: Download doorbell or CCTV footage showing the delivery and any subsequent theft.

2. File a Police Report: Obtain a Police Crime Reference Number online or via 101. This holds significant weight when dealing with resistant sellers.

3. Notify the Seller in Writing: Request a full refund or replacement citing Section 29 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. State clearly that the item was not delivered into your physical possession and no safe place was authorized.

4. Escalate to Bank Protection: If the seller refuses to comply, initiate a Chargeback or Section 75 claim with your card provider.

Porch pirates: top tips (click to view enlarged)