Do you trust online ads?

It’s so easy to pick up your phone and search online for whatever it is that you need – and algorithms will keep on developing based on these searches and your online interactions to deliver ads specifically targeted and tailored towards you. The dark side is that the internet can be a scammer’s paradise. So can you tell whether an online ad is genuine or not?

According to insurance company Aviva’s fraud report, consumer trust in online adverts is pretty low. But we want to know your thoughts: how much do you trust the ads you see on the internet? 

Fake competitions on social media

Watch out for convincing copycat social media accounts contacting you to claim that you’ve won a prize. Many of these accounts are created by fraudsters who target you based on your social media activity and interests – they can catch you out with offers that could feasibly be genuine.

Here’s why it’s important to check who’s really sending you private messages before you engage with them.

Sadly a new vaccine scam caller

 

A local resident's friend received a call from 912250041117 asking him to press 1 if he had vaccinated.  

He pressed 1. Immediately the phone was blocked 🚫 and his phone has been hacked. So be careful when you get similar calls. Put this in your group chat.

The above message was sent to alert us and others to remain vigilant.

If it is out-of-the-blue needless to say do not respond to such scam calls.

This number has come up as 'Negative' and dangerous as it points to a Vaccine scam at https://who-called.co.uk/Number/912250041117

Find out more and how to report to Action Fraud at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/reporting-a-scam/

For further information visit https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/search/label/vishing

HMRC warns students of scams

HMRC is warning university students to be wary of potential scams, especially if they have a part-time job and are new to interacting with the department.

University students taking part-time jobs are at increased risk of falling victim to scams, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning.

Higher numbers of students going to university this year means more young people may choose to take on part-time work. Being new to interacting with HMRC and unfamiliar with genuine contact from the department could make them vulnerable to scams.

Further information

More information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact and how to avoid and report scams.

Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Report scam phone calls via GOV.UK.

Source: Action Fraud [09-09-2021]

Locked out: Digitally excluded people’s experiences of remote GP appointments

Healthwatch England has launched a new report Locked Out: Digitally excluded people’s experience of remote GP appointments. 

They are working with NHS England to improve patient’s experience of and access to digital care. 

The move to more digitally-led healthcare has worked well for some but excluded others over the past year. Our report explores how people have been excluded and what needs to happen to get the care they need.

Background

The move to remote GP appointments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic happened very quickly. NHS England advised GP practices to triage patients by a telephone or online consultation system before providing them with an appointment and only providing face-to-face appointments where clinically necessary. 

We know that while this has worked well for some, it has created barriers for others. We spoke to people traditionally more likely to experience digital exclusion to understand why and how this can impact their healthcare experiences, especially during the pandemic. These groups included older people, people with disabilities, and people with limited English.

Key findings

Our new report investigates why people have been excluded, including lack of digital skills, language barriers and lack of interest in using technology to go online. 

We identified five principles for post-COVID-19 care to ensure everyone has access to the appointments they need.

Five principles for post-COVID digital healthcare

1. Maintain traditional models of care alongside remote methods and support people to choose the most appropriate appointment type to meet their needs. 
2. Invest in support programmes to give as many people as possible the skills to access remote care.
3. Clarify patients' rights regarding remote care, ensuring people with support or access needs are not disadvantaged when accessing care remotely. 
4. Enable practices to be proactive about inclusion by recording people's support needs.
5. Commit to digital inclusion by treating the internet as a universal right.

Source: HealthWatch

Keeping Bexley Safe

The Bexley Community Safety team works with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour that presents a high level of threat, risk, or harm to individuals and/or the community.

Community Safety is not responsible for noise nuisance, civil neighbour disputes, parking, waste and recycling, CCTV or graffiti. You can report these issues and more at www.bexley.gov.uk/directory.

You can report any anti-social behaviour or incidents at www.bexley.gov.uk/communitysafety.

You should always call 999 in emergency situations when you need immediate help, for example, if a crime is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger. You should also report to the police immediately for assaults, criminal damage, hate crime, vandalism, drug use, drug cultivation or drug dealing. The police will lead on these issues.

If you don’t need immediate help, you can call 101 or report online at www.met.police.uk/report.

You can also report to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111.

Advice on domestic abuse is available at www.bexleydomesticabuseservices.org.uk.

Please sign up to our e-newsletter to get regular community safety news at www.bexley.gov.uk/newsupdates OR by scanning the QR code below:-

It is a partnership newsletter so will be including messages from statutory BCSP members at key times throughout the year on a whole range of topics such as DA, Modern Slavery, Bexley Crime Survey, Hate Crime, Prevent, Serious Violence, ASB etc..

Beware scam Hermes email doing its rounds

 

[Click each screenshot to view enlarged]

How the scam is evolving (was covered by Which?)

Do not click on links or attachments in unexpected or suspicious texts or emails.

Reporting cyber crime, fraud or phishing attempt to Action Fraud.

Report suspicious emails: If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, you can report it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service by forwarding the email to - report@phishing.gov.uk.