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)

Bexley Monthly Crime Stats by Wards for 2023 - tutorial

Monthly Crime Data New Cats by Metropolitan Police Service.

*Met Table

*Sheet

*Chart

*Map

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

Source:

• https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/p/bexley-crime-stats.html
• https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/p/bbnwa-crime-stats-map.html
• Youtube Channel
• PowerPoint Presentation

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)

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:

click image to view enlarged

Source: https://twitter.com/MPSEastWickham/status/1699397436907893092