Alerts

26Nov.

Scam:  E-mail from impersonator pretending to be a relative in urgent need of money.

Example 1:

How are you doing? This has had to come in a hurry and it has left us in a devastating state. My family and I had a visit to SPAIN, for a short vacation unannounced some days back, but unfortunately we were  mugged at the park of the hotel where we stayed by some thugs, all cash, cell phones and credit cards were stolen off us but luckily for us we still have our passports with us.

The Embassy and Police have failed to be effective in this matter, besides paper work would cost us days we can’t afford and our flight leaves tomorrow but we’re having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won’t let us leave until we settle the bills. Please I really need your financial assistance.. Let me know if you can help us out?

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Example 2:

I’m writing this with tears in my eyes, my family and I came down here to London, England for a short vacation unfortunately we were mugged at the park of the hotel where we stayed, all cash, credit card and cell were stolen off us but luckily for us we still have our passports with us.

We’ve been to the embassy and the Police here but they’re not helping issues at all and our flight leaves in less than 3hrs from now but we’re having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won’t let us leave until we settle the bills.

Am freaked out at the moment. I Need Your Help Urgently..

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Origins:

This may be presented in various ways, even as a virus which may take over your e-mail system and propagate further emails to people in your contact list. Ultimately it may take the form one of the examples above.

Be aware that such con artists use a variety of avenues through which they make contact — while some send e-mails, others send text messages to cell phones or may telephone their intended victims. Some of those who have reported being taken advantage of say they were approached via instant messages through social networking sites such as Facebook.

If you should receive such a call, text message, or e-mail and can’t be sure whether it’s on the level, treat it with caution and check details.

8Oct

Burglary Campaign
With the clock change in October, the benefits of lighter mornings are opposed by the darker evenings, a time traditionally when burglars appear to thrive. During October, November and December, Surrey Police will be running a Burglary Campaign aimed at reducing burglaries in two key areas: The Royal Estate and Ashford Town. If you live in these areas and wish to become involved in starting up a Neighbourhood Watch in your street, we would love to hear from you. Research shows that Neighbourhood Watch is effective in reducing crime in 79% of cases (when compared to similar areas without such schemes). Neighbourhood Watch is also valued for providing and generating community safety and more of a community spirit.Time for a Security Review

It is also the ideal time for a security review of your home before the onset of winter. Remember – a lot of burglaries can be prevented, with most burglars being opportunist thieves.

Review your home security against this simple checklist to strengthen any weaknesses as soon as possible:

Lighting – Good lighting is an excellent way to deter a thief, with some exterior lights having sensors that switch the light on for a short time when it detects something in its range. Timed lights, both internal and external also give the impression there is someone at home.

Alarms – visible burglar alarms always make a burglar think twice.

Windows and doors – Always secure the most vulnerable windows first. Locks are inexpensive and widely available not just for windows but also for main and patio doors. If your front and back doors are not secure then neither is your home. Make sure they are of solid construction, and remember glass panels can prove vulnerable.

Boundaries – A high wall or fence at the back of your property can put off a burglar, but check for weak spots. Make sure the front of the house is visible so a thief cannot work unseen, although a thorny hedge along a boundary makes a useful deterrent.

Outbuildings – Never leave a garage, shed or outbuilding unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house.

Lock tools and ladders away so that thieves cannot use them to break in. You may not want your lawnmower for the next few months, but a burglar will.

Thefts of Catalytic Converters in Shepperton and Charlton Villages

We have seen a big reduction in the thefts of catalytic converters (CATs) across the Borough recently, although talking to colleagues in Twickenham shows that the problem has not gone away.

Retainagroup Ltd manufacturer a product that protects a CAT from theft. Surrey Police are using these kits to mark the CAT visibly and permanently with a unique code and the 24/7 phone number of the International Security Register – on which the code and details of the owner and vehicle are recorded.

You can also purchase your own CAT marking and registration pack for just £9.95. Call: 01233 333000 (24 hours) or email: register@retainagroup.com (website: www.retainagroup.com)

STOP PRESS !

I have a small number of marking kits available FOR FREE – if you live in Spelthorne and own or drive a Mercedes Sprinter, a Peugeot 806 or Peugeot 406 let me know and I will arrange to come and see you with one of these kits. Recently, CATs found dumped at the side of the road in Shepperton were identified using this marking method and returned to the owner.

Registration Plate Thefts Continue…

To make it more difficult to steal registration plates from vehicles, Surrey Police have been handing out free anti-tamper screw packs. Unfortunately there have been instances when even with these screws the number plates are being stolen. I can only suggest that you make sure you are using the right size screws and also glue the plates firmly on.

Thankyou

Vic Smith

27Sep

Non-emergency number

As from the 1st September the non-emergency number is changing from 0845 125 2222, which will be phased out over 12 months.

6Sep

Thefts of Catalytic Converters in Shepperton and Charlton Villages

New style Mercedes vans continue to be the favourite target for the theft of the catalytic converters (CAT) and there continues to be a problem in the Shepperton and Charlton areas particularly, with parked-up vans being targeted overnight. Peugeot 806 and Peugeot 406 vehicles are also being targeted.
Retainagroup Ltd are manufacturers of a product that protects a CAT from theft. Surrey Police are using these kits to mark the CAT visibly and permanently with a unique code and the 24/7 phone number of the International Security Register – on which the code and details of the owner and vehicle are recorded.
You can also purchase your own CAT marking and registration pack for just £9.95. Call: 01233 333000 (24 hours) or email: register@retainagroup.com (website: www.retainagroup.com)

STOP PRESS !
I have a small number of marking kits available FOR FREE - if you live in Shepperton or Charlton Villages and own or drive a Mercedes Sprinter, a Peugeot 806 or Peugeot 406 let me know and I will arrange to come and see you with one of these kits.

Registration Plate Thefts Continue…
To make it more difficult to steal registration plates from vehicles, Surrey Police have been handing out free anti-tamper screw packs. I have also made sure these packs are available from the Police Station at Staines and also Shepperton library. They are going very quickly, so pick yours up before they all go! Unfortunately there have been instances when even with these screws the number plates are being stolen. I can only suggest that you make sure you are using the right size screws and also glue the plates firmly on.

Distraction Burglaries
Surrey Police is warning residents to not only be vigilant with their own security but also keep an eye out for vulnerable and elderly neighbours following an increase in distraction burglaries in the county.
Officers have received 24 reports since April 2011 of offences where the suspect has made false claims to attempt to gain entry to the victim’s property themselves or to cause a distraction to allow an accomplice to enter the property.
Recent techniques used by offenders include claiming they are doing gardening work, saying there is a dead animal in the householder’s garden, asking to use the toilet, asking to borrow a pen and paper to write a note, claiming they need to check the resident’s taps and pretending to be from the council checking a water leak.

Every householder can reduce the possibility of being targeted by following a few simple steps:

• Under no circumstances should you let an unexpected visitor into your home.

• Before opening your door, check who is there. Put the chain on the door, use a spy-hole or window. Lock the back door.

• If they are strangers, ask: Who are you? What do you want?

• Beware of callers who attempt to distract you by claiming that they have seen something untoward in your garden, or somewhere which would encourage you to leave the house, they may have accomplices.

• If the caller claims to be from a utility company ask to see their identity card, keep the chain on the door and check it carefully. If in doubt, phone the company and check. Use a number from the telephone directory and not one given to you by the caller. Genuine staff from utility companies won’t mind waiting or will call back later. Utility companies now offer a password identification system. Any caller from one of these companies should be able to give you a pre-arranged password as additional proof of identity.

If you are not confident to deal with the person on your own, do not open the door, and ask the caller to come back when you have someone else with you.
The golden rule is – if in doubt, keep them out. If you are at all concerned, call 999 immediately.

28Jun

Boiler Room Scams – what they are and what to look out for

We take our customers’ financial security very seriously. So we wanted to highlight the threats around so-called Boiler Room Scams. There’s no need to worry but as the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed.

What is a Boiler Room?
Boiler Rooms are businesses that use high-pressure sales techniques to sell ‘sure thing’ investments with the promise of massive returns. In fact, what they’re selling is worthless stock in often unquoted companies that are either overvalued, or simply don’t exist at all.

How they work
Boiler Room operatives generally cold-call their targets, using phone numbers from publicly available shareholder lists. Because it’s against the law for investors to cold-call in the UK, they tend to be based abroad (often Spain, Switzerland, or the US) where they’re beyond the jurisdiction of the Financial Services Authority (FSA). They can approach anyone, anywhere.

Boiler Room techniques
A Boiler Room can look and sound legitimate. They may mention companies you’ve heard of, give themselves a UK address or phone number, and have a professional looking website. They’re notoriously persistent, and can hound a victim for months in the hope of a sale, catching out even seasoned investors. According to the FSA, Boiler Room Scam victims lose on average £20,000.

Remember, as a general rule, if an opportunity sounds too good to be true, then it almost certainly is.

What to do if you’re called
If you think you’re being targeted by a Boiler Room, the FSA’s advice is not to worry about being polite, just hang up. You should then dial the FSA contact centre on 0845 606 1234 with as much detail as you can remember. You’ll find more information about Boiler Rooms on the FSA website.

25Apr

Surrey Police, West Wing, Spelthorne Borough Council Offices-Knowle Green, Staines TW18 1BX-Tel:   01784 862009

28Jan11

Surrey Police supports counter-terrorism publicity campaign
If you suspect it, report it – that’s the message from Surrey Police as a national counter-terrorism publicity campaign launched this week.Everyone has a role to play in fighting terrorism and the public are being encouraged to contact the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 if they see any activity or behaviour they think is suspicious.The threat to the UK from terrorism remains real and serious and public vigilance and awareness is crucial in helping to create a hostile environment for terrorists.

The advert recognises that some people may be reluctant to report suspicious activity or behaviour, such as a person taking an unusual interest in security arrangements, because ‘Chances are, it’s probably nothing’. But it goes on to encourage people to think ‘But what if it isn’t'? Just one piece of information could be vital in helping disrupt terrorist planning and, in turn, save lives.

Detective Inspector Kevin Jewell, temporary Head of Surrey Police’s Special Branch, commented: “Hardly a month passes without an event somewhere in the world which should act as a stark reminder to us all that we continue to face a real and enduring threat from terrorism. While the attack could be in Surrey it is equally possible that terrorists are living in Surrey and planning their attack elsewhere.

“These groups are constantly looking at new and inventive ways to launch attacks on the UK and our citizens.   We all know that the threats against us continue to diversify – from Al Qaeda-led and inspired groups, through Irish-related terrorism to right wing extremists.  The police and security services need the help of the public to protect the country from the threat of terrorism. We cannot do it alone.  We all have a responsibility to remain vigilant and aware and to report any suspicious activity. We must not become complacent.  I completely understand that some people may have concerns about contacting police with their suspicions, but they can be reassured that all information received by the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline is thoroughly analysed and researched by experienced officers before, and if, any police action is taken ” .
“I would urge anyone who has information about suspicious activity to contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.”

Police want people to look out for the unusual – some activity or behaviour which strikes them as not quite right and out of place in their normal day to day lives e.g.:
Terrorists need storage – Lock-ups, garages and sheds can all be used by terrorists to store equipment. Are you suspicious of anyone renting commercial property?
Terrorists use chemicals – Do you know someone buying large or unusual quantities of chemicals for no obvious reason?
Terrorists need funding – Cheque and credit card fraud are ways of generating cash. Have you seen any suspicious transactions?
Terrorists use multiple identities – Do you know someone with documents in different names for no obvious reason?
Terrorists need information – Do you know someone taking an interest in security, like CCTV cameras for no obvious reason?
Terrorists need transport – If you work in commercial vehicle hire or sales, has a sale or rental made you suspicious?
The current threat level is “severe” – this means that an attack is highly likely and without warning
IF THE PUBLIC NOTICE SUSPICIOUS BAGS, BEHAVIOUR OR VEHICLES WHICH POSE AN IMMINENT THREAT THEY SHOULD CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY
Call 0845 125 2222 for all non-emergency policing matters.