City of London Police’s response to an article published in The Times about Action Fraud

Statement from the City of London Police.

As we announced earlier this month, City of London Police, as national lead force for fraud, is in the process of procuring a new fraud and cybercrime reporting and analysis service. The current service was last procured in 2015 and since then, technology has advanced and demand has grown considerably.

Procuring a new service, which will replace Action Fraud and the NFIB system, will improve the service to victims, provide greater intelligence and insight to policing on fraud and cybercrime affecting communities, and allow for greater prevention and disruption at scale.

The contract with the current supplier was due to end in 2022 and it was always the intention to procure a new supplier to take on the service beyond this. As with all service procurements, this will take some time and we have extended the current contract past its end date in 2022 to ensure a smooth transition period.

There is no intention to scrap the Action Fraud service; the service provided by Action Fraud is continuing and at no point will there be no system in place to deal with victims of fraud. Victims will continue to have a service and the points of contact will remain the same.

Reports of fraud and cybercrime can continue to be made to Action Fraud by visiting actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

The Times was issued with a full and proper response to include in their published article, along with answers to more specific questions, and we are disappointed that much of this was unused and the story is not entirely representative of the force’s position.

Source: Action Fraud (30-07-2021) and Updated alert (04-08-2021)

New - Bexley Community Lottery to support us!

 

Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association provides a valued service for the community.

We need your help so we can continue to offer and expand our service!

Our aim is to work with all the different groups, young and old, to help build a better and safer community for all. We work with partner organisations in the Borough towards reducing crime and promoting safety.

Neighbourhood Watch is not just about reducing burglary figures- its about creating communities who care. It brings local people together and can make a real contribution to improving their lives. The activity of Watch members can foster a new community spirit and a belief in the community's ability to tackle problems. At the same time, you feel secure, knowing your neighbours are keeping an eye on your neighbourhood.

Thank you for your support and good luck!

Help us share our cause on social media OR use the QR code below to visit our page direct.

Scan the QR to support us!

"Wellness Walk" around Foots Cray Meadows - Saturday 31 July 2021

 

[Click to view enlarged]

Source: click Wellness Walk poster for details (pdf)

Proposed changes to the central London Congestion Charge

We’d welcome your views on proposed changes to the Congestion Charge.

Last year, in response to the transport challenges of the pandemic and the Government’s emergency funding of Transport for London (TfL), we made temporary changes to the Congestion Charge. This included extending its charging hours until 22:00 each day and increasing the charge level to £15. We are now consulting on new proposals. The proposals include reducing the charging hours to between 07:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday and 12:00 to 18:00 at weekends.

 

The new proposals are part of the commitment by the Mayor of London and TfL to reduce traffic and congestion in central London. This would improve London’s air quality, reduce carbon emissions and encourage more journeys to be made by walking, cycling or public transport.

 

The proposed changes are:

 

·       £15 charge level  

·       No Auto Pay or Fleet Auto Pay discount 

·       £17.50 pay next day charge, and can be paid up to three days after travel 

·       The charging hours would be Monday to Friday from 07:00 – 18:00 and Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 12:00 – 18:00  

·       No charge from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day bank holiday (inclusive) 

·       90 per cent residents’ discount, re-opened to new applicants 

·       Reimbursement arrangements for certain NHS patients, care home workers, local authority and charity workers or volunteers providing certain services during epidemics or pandemics prevalent in Greater London. The expanded NHS staff reimbursement is also proposed to continue.

 

To find out more about our proposals and to have your say please contact us:

Online: tfl.gov.uk/ccyourview

Email: ccyourview@tfl.gov.uk

Post: FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (no stamp required)

The consultation closes Wednesday 6 October 2021.

Once it has closed, TfL will prepare a report summarising all of the responses for the Mayor, who will decide how to proceed.

Source: New Congestion Charge proposals

Beware HMRC Scam email

 

One of our residents received the above phishing scam email (screenshot above - click to view enlarged) and alerted his neighbourhood watch group to alert others to remain vigilant. He also reported this email as a scam.

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

HMRC’s advice:

Stop:

• Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information.
• Don’t give out private information or reply to text messages, and don’t download attachments or click on links in texts or emails you weren’t expecting.
• Do not trust caller ID on phones. Numbers can be spoofed.

Challenge:

• It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests - only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• Search ‘scams’ on UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact and how to avoid and report scams.

Protect:

• Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Report scam phone calls on GOV.UK.
• Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, and report it to Action Fraud (in Scotland, contact the police on 101).

Barnehurst SNT crime prevention event for Barnehurst residents only

The Barnehurst Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team will be holding a crime prevention Smart Water event on Saturday 7^th August.  It will be held outside the main entrance of Barnehurst Golf Club, Mayplace Road East, DA7 6JU, between the hours of 1100-1300 hours.  Barnehurst Residents ONLY will get crime prevention advice and offered Smart Water property marking kits, free of charge.

Ruff time for animal lovers as scale of pandemic pet fraud unleashed by Action Fraud

 

Data from Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, reveals that £2,638,323 was lost by prospective pet owners in the 2020/21 financial year, after they put down deposits for pets they saw advertised online – an increase of over 20 per cent  compared to the previous financial year.

Capitalising on the rise in people getting pets due to the national lockdowns caused by coronavirus, criminals have been posting fake adverts on social media, online marketplaces and specific pet-selling platforms.

Unsuspecting victims will be asked to pay a deposit for the pet without seeing it in person first, with many criminals using the restrictions caused by the pandemic as a reason why they cannot see the animal. After the initial payment is made, more and more funds will be requested to cover additional costs such as insurance, vaccinations and even delivery of the pet.

Pauline Smith, Director of Action Fraud, said:

“Criminals have, and will continue to use, the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to scam unsuspecting victims.

“It’s important that if you’re considering purchasing a pet online, that you follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign by taking a moment to stop and think – it could protect you and your money.

“We would always recommend that you view the animal in person before paying any money. If you cannot see the animal in person, ask for a video call. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and do not pay any money until you’re certain it’s genuine.”

In the 2020/21 financial year, Action Fraud received over 400 reports a month from victims of pet fraud. Over a quarter (29 per cent) of victims were aged 20 to 29 years old, and almost three quarters (74 per cent) of victims were aged 20 to 49 years old.

During April and May 2020, Action Fraud received more than 800 reports per month of pet fraud, indicating that many animal lovers sought to purchase a pet during the first national lockdown.

Dogs and puppies were the most reported animal victims claimed they were trying to purchase (71 per cent), followed by cats and kittens (20 per cent).

Victims reported being scammed on social media (11 per cent), online marketplaces (25 per cent) and specific pet-selling platforms (37 per cent).

Action Fraud has launched a national awareness campaign today (Monday 26 July 2021) to remind the public to think twice before handing over their money when buying a pet online.

How to protect yourself

Do your research: if you’re making a purchase from a website or person you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first. Look up reviews of the website or person you’re buying from. If you’re purchasing an item from an online marketplace, you can view the seller’s feedback history before going ahead with the purchase.

Trust your instincts: if you’re unable to view the animal in person, ask for a video call. If you’re buying a young animal, make sure you’re able to see the mother and rest of the litter. Any responsible seller will understand why you want to view the animal in person. If the seller declines, challenge them on why. If you have any suspicions, do not pay any money until you’re certain it’s genuine.

Choose your payment method wisely: avoid paying by bank transfer. Credit card or payment services such as PayPal give you a better chance of recovering your money if you become a victim of fraud.

When things go wrong: Anyone can fall victim to fraud. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Action Fraud also advises that the public follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to keep themselves safe from fraud.

• Stop: taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
• Challenge: could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• Protect: if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Source: Action Fraud (26-07-2021)