North Wales Community Alert

[SteveH]

ALERT: Energy Bill Scam texts

Action Fraud has received 139 crime reports relating to fake text messages purporting to be from the UK government. The texts state that the recipient is owed or eligible for an energy bill discount as part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme. The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal your personal and financial information.

You can see screenshots of the text messages on our Twitter post here.    https://twitter.com/CyberProtectUK/status/1575811908565110785?s=20&t=WFEfPloLys_EloK3ouUqkA

How to protect yourself
Energy Bill Discount : 400 off energy bills for households in Great Britain from October 2022. You do not need to apply for the scheme and you will not be asked for your bank details.
 
Spotted a suspicious text message Forward it to 7726 (its free of charge). If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it?s found to be malicious.
 
For more information on how to stay secure online, please visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk   

If you found this information useful, please share it with friends, family and colleagues.
 
Message Sent By
Action Fraud
(Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

[SteveH]

🚨SCAM WARNING🚨

Action Fraud are still receiving numerous reports about scam text messages relating to the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

✅You DO NOT need to apply for the scheme, or provide any bank details.

✅Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (it's free).

#NWPCyberSafe

🚨RHYBUDD SCAM🚨

Mae Action Fraud yn dal i fod yn derbyn nifer o adroddiadau am negeseuon testun sgam yn ymwneud ??r Cynllun Cymorth Biliau Ynni.

✅ NID oes angen i chi wneud cais am y cynllun, na rhannu unrhyw fanylion banc.

✅ Anfonwch negeseuon testun amheus ymlaen at 7726 (mae'n rhad ac am ddim).

#SeiberDdiogelHGC
 
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

Neighbourhood Watch 2021/22 Impact Report demonstrates ?More than you think?

We are delighted to share our 2021/22 Impact Report, which highlights how, in our 40th anniversary year, we are helping more people feel safe and connected. The report demonstrates how we are beating crime together and building a more diverse set of partnerships in communities.

Our work on antisocial behaviour, burglary, theft and car crime remains vitally important, but it is important we continue to do more than this. We work hard to address crimes such as violence against women and girls, rural crime, scams, fraud, cybercrime and more.

Through uniting communities on what matters to them, we are also bringing new people together and, in so doing, increasing pride in our neighbourhoods and reducing loneliness and isolation.

We couldn?t have achieved what we have in the past year without the hard work and dedication of our funders, partners, trustees, staff, our own communities, and most importantly, our incredible volunteers.

Read our impact report here.............  https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/impact

We are making this a better place to live. Together.

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO, Neighbourhood Watch Network

Follow us... ourwatch.org.uk / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn
 
Message Sent By
Central Support Team
(NWN, Enquiries Dept, England and Wales)

[SteveH]

Beware of scams where criminals attempt to impersonate Police. There have been reports of this happening in the North West Region and in many other areas in England and Wales recently.

The police will never ask you to move money to secure it or to assist them with a bank fraud investigation and will never call you to ask you to verify your PIN or make arrangements to pick up cash or your bank card by courier for safe keeping.

If unsure about any Police contact call back on 101 to confirm that the contact is genuine. 📞👮‍♂‍🤔

Often the Criminals will target the elderly with this sort of scam, so please take a few minutes to raise awareness of this with your elderly relatives and/or neighbours.

#NWPCyberSafe

Byddwch yn wyliadwrus o sgamiau lle mae troseddwyr yn ceisio dynwared yr Heddlu. Mae adroddiadau wedi bod am hyn yn digwydd yn Rhanbarth y Gogledd Orllewin ac mewn llawer o ardaloedd eraill yng Nghymru a Lloegr yn ddiweddar.

Ni fydd yr heddlu byth yn gofyn i chi symud arian i'w ddiogelu nag i'w helpu gydag ymchwiliad twyll ac ni fydd yr Heddlu byth yn eich ffonio i ofyn i chi wirio'ch PIN na gwneud trefniadau i gasglu arian parod neu'ch cerdyn banc trwy negesydd er mwyn ei gadw'n ddiogel.

Os ydych chi?n ansicr am unrhyw gyswllt gan yr Heddlu ffoniwch 101 i gadarnhau mai Swyddog Heddlu wnaeth gysylltu hefo chi. 📞👮‍♂‍🤔

Yn aml bydd Troseddwyr yn targedu?r henoed gyda?r math hwn o scam, felly a fyddech cystal ? threulio ychydig funudau i godi ymwybyddiaeth o hyn gyda?ch perthnasau a/neu gymdogion oedrannus.

#SeiberDdiogelHGC

Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

Neighbourhood Watch's national online shop is now open

We are offering all customers a 20% discount until the end of October 2022. Use the code NW-SHOP at checkout.

Products.............. https://nwnshop.myshopify.com/collections/all

[SteveH]

North Wales Police have received several reports from members of the public in relation to fraudulent payments when selling items on Social Media Marketplaces.

Genuine sellers have been listing items on Marketplace.  Fraudulent buyers have then been agreeing to buy high value items and upon collection and payment of the item, the buyer shows the seller their mobile device with alleged proof of payment on an app.  They sometimes claim that it can take 2hrs for the transaction to appear in the seller?s bank account which isn?t genuinely the case!

However, the app that they?ve shown on their screen isn?t a genuine banking app and in reality no payment has been made.  The fraudulent buyer leaves with the item and the seller hasn?t received any payment.

Our advice for sellers is to check your own bank account and not to hand over any items that you?re selling until payment has arrived in your account.  The fraudulent buyer may be very convincing and may try to push you into handing over the item and try to convince you that they can be trusted.  On some occasions, fraudulent buyers have entered the seller?s address and have become aggressive putting the seller under immense pressure.  If this happens, call 999 immediately and refer to Marketplace fraud.

Don?t trust anybody you don?t know!

If you?re selling a phone, record the IMEI number.

Don?t let the buyer into your house.

Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)


 

[SteveH]

Watch out for FAKE emails about the chance to win supermarket vouchers.

There has been an increase in these types of e-mails recently.

✅If you receive one, forward it to: report@phishing.gov.uk

Your reports have helped to remove 184,000 malicious sites as of Sept '22.

#NWPCyberSafe

Gwyliwch allan am e-byst FFUG sy?n honni i roi y cyfle i chi ennill talebau archfarchnadoedd.

Mae cynnydd wedi bod yn y mathau yma o e-byst yn ddiweddar.

✅ Os byddwch yn derbyn e-bost fel hyn, anfonwch ef ymlaen at: report@phishing.gov.uk

Mae eich adroddiadau wedi helpu i gael gwared ar 184,000 o safleoedd maleisus hyd at fis Medi '22.

#SeiberDdiogelHGC
 
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

Homeowners warned to watch out as burglary claims spike - here's how to stay safe
Homeowners are being urged to ensure their properties are 'extra secure' during winters

As nights get longer and darkness begins to seep in, it is important to make sure your home is safe and secure during this time period.

Thieves prefer to operate in the shadows, so it's hardly surprising that the number of burglaries increases when the clocks go back and the nights get longer. Analysis of Aviva data over the past two years shows that home theft claims increase by 15 per cent during October and November months.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/homeowners-warned-to-watch-out-as-burglary-claims-spike-heres-how-to-stay-safe/

[SteveH]

OUR NEWS - Neighbourhood Watch national newsletter for England and Wales

We are delighted to bring you OUR NEWS for November.

With the cost of living crisis, many people are under financial strain. Our newsletter highlights were to go additional support and how to support others.

We also look at: how to reduce your chances of being burgled this winter; how to support older people; combating the never-ending cycle of stress; creating places for connection; and more.

Informative News Letter   ........ https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/2022-11/Nov%202022%20OUR%20NEWS%20small.pdf

[SteveH]

With Christmas fast approaching we have seen a sharp increase in Facebook Marketplace fraud. Over the weekend members of the public in North Wales have reported losses of ?4270 over a two-day period.

The reports include victims paying large deposits or making full payment direct into the suspects bank account. Unfortunately, the goods are never received. In one instance a large deposit was made for an item but when the victim attended the address provided to collect the item, the elderly occupants were totally unaware of the sale and the victim was left out of pocket.

People selling items have also been targeted by criminals. In one case fraudsters posing as buyers arrived at the victim?s house to collect an item and claimed they had made payment using an online banking app. The suspects were handed the item and left, but the funds were never received by the victim as the banking app was fake.

Be careful when using Facebook Marketplace as there is little chance of being reimbursed if something goes wrong. When buying items, we advise to carry out transactions face to face where possible, using cash or safe payment services such as Paypal, where a level of protection is offered. Don?t pay for an item until you?ve received it and don?t hand over an item you are selling to a buyer until you have received payment
 
If you need to report any fraudulent activity, contact Facebook to report the account, and visit the Action Fraud website or the North Wales Police website or call 101.

#NWPCyberSafeMessage Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

⚠️ Watch out for fake emails claiming to be from the DVLA. Action Fraud have received over 1,700 reports about them in two weeks!

 The DVLA will never ask for bank details over email. The only place to access official info on the DVLA and its services is at GOV.UK

#NWPCyberSafe

⚠️ Gwyliwch allan am e-byst ffug sy?n honni i fod gan y DVLA. Mae Action Fraud wedi derbyn dros 1,700 o adroddiadau amdanynt mewn pythefnos!

Ni fydd y DVLA byth yn gofyn am fanylion banc dros e-bost. Yr unig le i gael mynediad at wybodaeth swyddogol am y DVLA a?i gwasanaethau yw drwy GOV.UK
#SeiberDdiogelHGC

Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

Before setting the amount that people in North Wales pay for policing through the precept, the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin, wants to hear what you think about the plans as part of a public consultation and survey.

As well as having your view on changes to the amount paid towards policing, you will also be able to say what priorities you want to see North Wales Police act on. The survey will also give you the chance to comment on how you see policing in your own community more generally.

The survey launches on 5 December 2022 and closes on the 11 January 2023.

Please visit the below link during the consultation period and fill in the short survey to make your voice heard. Paper copies of the survey, in Welsh and English, are also available at libraries and police stations across North Wales. You can also get the survey in Easy Read format.

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DWKGQVB

Alternatively, to receive a paper copy by post, contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in the following ways:

Email: OPCC@northwales.police.uk

Phone: 01492 805486

Post: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales, Police Headquarters. Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW

Attachments
86522 Precept Survey SM (w).jpg
86522 Precept Survey SM (e).jpg
 
   Message Sent By
Inspector 2749 Wesley Williams
(North Wales Police, Inspector - Prevention Hub, North Wales)

[SteveH]

📱 Phone scams can affect anyone. So, we urge everyone to be careful to ensure that you don?t get scammed by criminals over the phone! 📞

Download the Little Booklet of Phone Scams here to help you stay safe 👇 https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/central/advice/fraud/met/little-booklet-of-phone-scams.pdf


📱 Mae sgamiau ff?n yn gallu effeithio unrhyw un. Felly rydym yn annog pawb i fod yn ofalus er mwyn sicrhau nad ydych yn cael eich twyllo gan droseddwyr dros y ff?n! 📞

Lawrlwythwch y Llyfryn Bach o Sgamiau Ff?n yn rhad ac am ddim yma i'ch helpu i gadw'n ddiogel 👇 

https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/central/advice/fraud/met/little-booklet-of-phone-scams.pdf
    
 Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

THE ?Your Community, Your Choice? initiative, supported by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and North Wales Police, celebrates a decade of funding projects in 2023.

To celebrate this milestone, the funding available to apply for has doubled to ?120,000.

Since its inception, Your Community, Your Choice has sponsored grassroots projects that bring people and organisations together, ultimately creating a safer environment for all.

In the last 10 years, a total of ?428,792 has been awarded to 149 projects working to support the priorities in the Commissioner?s Police and Crime Plan.

Four projects in each of the six North Wales counties will each receive ?2,500, one in each will be given ?5,000, and three pan-North Wales projects will each receive ?10,000.

The funding for ?Your Community, Your Choice? comes partly from money seized by the courts through the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest from the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The application window for this year?s initiative will open on January 9, 2023 and closes on February 3.

Details on how to apply will be published in due course on the PACT and North Wales Police websites.

A shortlist of applicants will then be chosen by a panel consisting of the Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as PACT and North Wales Police representatives.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23178804.community-projects-across-north-wales-invited-apply-new-funding/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Following recent burglaries across North Wales, advice has been issued to help prevent more.

North Wales Police have taken to the  Community Alert page to residents and business owners to be extra vigilant.

To secure your home and belongings, the police advise that you:

Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you?re only going out for a few minutes.
Double-lock any door.
Make sure that any valuables are out of sight.
Keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening.
Never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways.
In the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on.
If you?re out all day, then it?s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night.
Set your burglar alarm.
Make sure the side gate is locked.
Lock your shed or garage.
Lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor.
Please check that all CCTV is in working order

More advice can be found on the North Wales Police website.

If you think you have been a victim of burglary/theft or seen anything suspicious, please call 101 or use the live chat facility on the website. In an emergency, always dial 999