House fire - Erith 🔥

Firefighters are issuing a reminder about using candles safely after a house fire on Bridge Road in Erith.

Half of the first floor of the two-storey house was damaged by fire. Three people left the property before the arrival of the Brigade. There are no reports of any injuries.

The fire is believed to have been caused by an unattended candle.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Candles are one of the most common causes of fire. It’s really important that you never leave a candle unattended and keep them away from anything else that can easily catch alight.

"Consider using battery-powered, flameless LED candles instead, which are safe even if you fall asleep. Whilst they may cost more upfront than traditional candles, they will last considerably longer, giving you better value for money.

"If you do choose to use traditional candles ensure you place them in a heat-resistant holder, on a stable surface where they won’t be knocked over and away from materials that could catch fire. Never leave them unattended around your home, take particular care with children and pets and blow them out properly before you go to bed.

"We also recommend taking some time to carry out a few simple checks to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. The Brigade’s online Home Fire Safety Checker can guide you around your home and provide you with specific advice to reduce fire risks.”

The Brigade was called at 1844 and the fire was under control by 2217. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Erith, Bexley, Plumstead and Greenwich fire stations attended the scene.

Top candle safety tips

• Keep candles away from curtains, furniture and anything else that can catch fire.
• Keep loose clothing and hair away from candles when they are lit. 
• Always place your candles/tea lights in a suitable fire resistant candleholder.
• Make sure the candleholder holds the candle firmly and is on a flat and stable surface to stop it falling over.

Source: LFB (21 Nov 2024)

Your Data Rights in the UK: A Brief Overview

The UK's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives you several rights regarding how your personal data is used by companies. These rights include:

• The right to be informed: Companies must tell you how they collect and use your data.
• The right of access: You can request a copy of the personal data that a company holds about you.
• The right to rectification: If your data is inaccurate or incomplete, you can ask the company to correct it.
• The right to erasure: In certain circumstances, you can request that a company deletes your personal data.
• The right to restrict processing: You can ask a company to stop processing your personal data in certain circumstances.
• The right to data portability: You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and transmit it to another controller.   
• The right to object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.
• Rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling: You have rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling.  
  

In the UK, individuals have several rights regarding how digital companies use their data, including:

• Right to object to direct marketing
  Individuals can object to the use of their data for direct marketing, and the organisation must stop using it for that purpose. 
• Right to erasure
  Individuals can ask for their data to be erased in certain situations, such as if the organisation no longer needs it, the individual withdraws consent, or the data was collected wrongfully. 
• Right to data portability
  Individuals can ask for their data to be held in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. 
• Right to be informed
  Individuals have the right to be informed about how their data is being used and how they can exercise their rights. 
  

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is the independent supervisory authority for data protection in the UK. The ICO's website has more information on using personal data in a business. 

Companies must obtain explicit consent from users before collecting, sharing, or selling their data for purposes like targeted advertising or personalised marketing. They must also be transparent about their data practices and users' rights.

For more information https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/advice-for-small-organisations/whats-new/blogs/data-sharing-when-is-it-unlawful/

and https://ico.org.uk/global/privacy-notice/your-data-protection-rights/

A Serious Cyber Threat Looms Over the Holiday Shopping Season

Be Wary of Phishing Scams Targeting Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shoppers

As the holiday shopping season approaches, cybercriminals are gearing up to exploit the increased online activity. A new wave of phishing attacks is targeting unsuspecting shoppers, aiming to steal sensitive personal and financial information.

How to Protect Yourself:

1. Verify Website Authenticity:

   • Check the URL: Be cautious of typosquatting, where scammers mimic legitimate websites with slight URL variations.
   • Look for HTTPS: Ensure the website uses a secure HTTPS connection, indicated by a padlock icon in the address bar.
   • Inspect Website Design: Look for poor grammar, misspellings, or unprofessional design elements.

2. Avoid Suspicious Deals:

   • Scrutinise Discounts: Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
   • Research Online Retailers: Check reviews and ratings to verify the legitimacy of the website.

3. Use Strong, Unique Passwords:

   • Create Strong Passphrases: Combine words and numbers to make passwords difficult to crack.
   • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts.

4. Be Cautious of Phishing Emails:

   • Verify Sender Addresses: Double-check the sender's email address for any irregularities.
   • Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links: Hover over links to see the actual destination URL before clicking.

5. Keep Your Software Updated:

   • Install Security Patches: Regularly update your operating system and web browser to protect against vulnerabilities.

By staying vigilant and following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these malicious attacks. Happy and safe holiday shopping! 

Visit forbes.com for further information.

House fire - Belvedere 🔥

Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a house fire on Lyndon Road in Belvedere.

The ground floor of the two-storey house was partially damaged by fire. Four adults left the property before the arrival of the Brigade and were taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service.

The Brigade's 999 Control Officers received a call regarding this fire at 0553 and mobilised crews from Erith, Bexley and Plumstead fire stations to the scene. The fire was under control by 0648.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Source: LFB (15 Nov 2024)

Bogus Winter Fuel Payment ads

Scammers are promoting bogus 'Winter Fuel Payments' that don't exist. Which? has uncovered seven adverts on Facebook and Instagram that claim people of a certain age can receive a 'winter fuel payment' of £500 or £575 per person.

If you're eligible for the legitimate winter fuel payment from the government, you’ll have received a letter in October, or will get one in November, saying how much your payment will be. In the meantime, find out how to spot these scams on social media.

Fake ads to watch out for

Source: Which? (12 Nov 2024)

Avoid Black Friday scams

A fake offer isn't anything new, but the hype of the Black Friday and Christmas sales period, and all the advertising that's pumped out at this time of year, allows scammers to disguise their traps.

Which? reveal the latest Black Friday scams and show you how to tell the genuine bargains from the dodgy deals.

How to spot a scam deal

Source: Which? (12 Nov 2024)

Nuisance callers flogging appliance warranties

Rogue firms continue to bombard the public with misleading calls about appliance and white goods repair cover. We spoke to Sam, from Yorkshire, who believes he was deliberately misled during a phone call from HomeShield, when he inadvertently shared his bank details.

Using a recording of the call, we've transcribed Sam's conversation with HomeShield, so you can understand what to watch out for.

Cold caller tactics revealed

Source: Which? (11 Nov 2024)