North Wales Community Alert

[SteveH]

Stanley Tumbler scam e-mails / E-byst scam Tymbleri Stanley.

🚨 Watch out for the latest FAKE emails claiming to give away Stanley tumblers. Action Fraud have had over 2,700 reports about them so far.  🚨

⚠️ E-mails impersonate well-known supermarket brands, and provide links that recipient can use to claim their "Free" tumbler. The links lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

💻Report emails that feel suspicious, even if you're not certain they're a scam as they can be checked.

📨Forward emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk

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

[SteveH]

More TV Licensing scam e-mails / Mwy o e-byst sgam Trwyddedu Teledu.

Watch out for the latest TV Licensing scam e-mails.

The sender's email address has been spoofed to appear genuine. You can verify its authenticity by checking the sender's address is donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk

🔗Check out the @tvlicensing advice 👇.............https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ288

Helping you avoid TV Licensing scams  and how to report one - TV Licensing

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

[SteveH]

North Wales campaign highlights online gaming safety / Ymgyrch yng Ngogledd Cymru yn amlygu diogelwch chwarae gemau ar-lein.
This March, North Wales Police?s Cyber Crime Team and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are joining with online safety experts, Get Safe Online to highlight some of the threats of online gaming ? and how children and young people can game safely. Get Safe Online is a leading source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety in the UK.
 
One of the most popular online pastimes for children, online gaming has both positive and negative aspects. The benefits of gaming can range from developing qualities such as strategic thinking, rationalising, problem solving and persistence to supporting development of a wide range of cognitive and motor skills. What?s more it can encourage creativity while socialising, albeit virtually, with friends.

Risks to children who play games online arise largely from the vast number of people both in the UK and abroad who are also playing, the minimal restrictions and the fact that they are not playing face-to-face..............

Tips for safety while gaming online
It?s very important to work with your child to find the best games for their age, interests and personality, and additionally:

? Check PEGI (Pan European Game Information) age ratings of games to ensure your children aren?t accessing inappropriate content.

? Join your child in online gaming from time to time and randomly. This will give you an idea of the games they?re playing and who they connect with.

? Have open and honest conversations with your child about their online gaming and the risks involved including stranger danger, bullying and oversharing. Tell them that not everybody they meet on gaming platforms and forums is who they claim to be.

? Set and monitor limits for the amount of daily or weekly time your children spend online gaming.

? You could pre-load some spending money on to their game, but be clear that when it?s gone, it?s gone, and stick to it.

? Don?t give your child access to your payment card details as extras can be very costly.

? Impress upon your child that they can come to you or another responsible adult with any concerns. Depending on their age, you could also discuss how to report issues to the gaming platform and/or the police.

For free, practical advice on staying safe online visit                  www.getsafeonline.org

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

[SteveH]

Please find attached the most recent Fraud Alert.

More information about fraud can be found at www.stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

If you have been the victim of fraud please report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk

Attachments
Tarian Fraud Alert E FEB 24.pdf.......... https://members.northwalescommunityalert.co.uk/AlertMessage/Attachment/12A74D484431F2D0CCAE87525A625537
 
Message Sent By
DC 2675 Rachel Roberts
(North Wales Police, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer, North Wales )

[SteveH]

Mystery Box scam e-mails / E-byst scam am Focs Dirgel.

Watch out for fake emails claiming you've won a "mystery box" of free prizes. The only "reward" they lead to are phishing websites designed to steal your personal or financial information.

✅Forward suspicious emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk

 ℹ️ Your reports have led to the removal of over 306,000 websites to date.

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

[SteveH]

Over 22,000 email and social media account hacked

Data from Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, shows that 22,530 people reported that their online accounts had been hacked in 2023, with victims losing a total of ?1.3 million.

How are accounts hacked?
 
On-platform chain hacking
This is when a fraudster gains control of an account and begins to impersonate the legitimate owner. The goal is to convince people to reveal authentication codes that are sent to them via text. Many victims of this type of hacking believe it?s a friend messaging them, however the shared code was associated with their own account and the impersonator can now use it to access their account. Usually when an account is taken over, fraudsters monetise control of the account via the promotion of various fraudulent schemes, while impersonating the original account owner.

Leaked passwords and phishing
The other predominant method of hacking reported is leaked information used from data breaches, such as leaked passwords, or account details gained via phishing scams. This becomes prevalent as people often use the same password for multiple accounts, so a leaked password from one website can leave many of their online accounts vulnerable to hacking.

How to secure your accounts
Use a strong and different password for your email and social media accounts. Your email and social media passwords should be strong and different from all your other passwords. Combining three random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack.
Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) for your email and social media accounts. 2-Step Verification (2SV) gives you twice the protection so even if cyber criminals have your password, they can't access your email or social media account. 2SV works by asking for more information to prove your identity. For example, getting a code sent to your phone when you sign in using a new device or change settings such as your password. You won't be asked for this every time you check your email or social media.
 
If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

If you receive a suspicious email, you can report it by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk.

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: Gov.uk/stopthinkfraud

(If you found the information in this email useful, please forward it to your friends, family and colleagues)
 
Message Sent By
Action Fraud
(Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

[Ian]

Combining three random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack.

Hmmm...some of us have been saying that for several years. Still, better late than never, I suppose.

[SteveH]

⚠️Scam warning / Rhybudd Twyll⚠️

📣 3,500 reports and counting! Watch out for FAKE emails claiming to give away DeWalt products.

The emails claim to be giving away various DeWalt products, such as drills and backpacks. The links in the emails lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

👀 Spot a suspicious email? Report it by forwarding to: report@phishing.gov.uk

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

[SteveH]

Recently, there have been reports around the country of scammers placing fake QR
codes on parking meters, which lead unsuspecting drivers to unauthorised payment
sites where they are prompted to input their personal and financial information.
Follow these top tips to avoid falling victim to these scams...
1. Verify QR codes: Before scanning any QR code for parking payment, look for any
signs of tampering or irregularities, such as scratches or tear marks on the QR code.
2. Use official payment methods: Stick to using official payment methods and avoid
making payments through unfamiliar QR codes or websites.
3. Stay Vigilant: Be on the lookout for any suspicious behaviour around parking
meters, such as individuals tampering with them or loitering nearby.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: You can call 101 or contact CrimeStoppers to report
potential scams of this nature.

[SteveH]

Protect your online accounts / Gwarchodwch eich cyfrifon arlein.

In 2022 it was estimated that worldwide 4.59 billion people were using social media platforms, with usage projected to increase to just under six billion by 2027.

🚨 Social media and email account hacking is the most commonly reported cyber-dependent crime in the UK.

Want to keep the hackers out? 🔐

✅ Social media and email account passwords should be strong and different from all your other passwords.

✅ Enable 2-step verification (2SV) on your accounts too.

Find out more here: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/protect-yourself-from-fraud/protecting-against-online-fraud/

#NWPCyberSafe #TurnOn2SV
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

New data released today by Action Fraud reveals ?6.7 million was lost to ticket fraud last year. https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ticketfraud

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has launched a ticket fraud awareness campaign, warning people to be alert to fraudsters trying to catch out people planning for popular and sold-out events. Last year more than 8,700 people reported they had been a victim ticket fraud, with a total of ?6.7 million lost. This works out to an average loss of ?772 per victim.

How to protect yourself from ticket fraud:
Only buy tickets from the venue?s box office, the promoter, an official agent or a well-known and reputable ticket exchange site.
Avoid paying for tickets by bank transfer, especially if buying from someone unknown. Credit card or payment services such as PayPal give you a better chance of recovering the money if you become a victim of fraud.

The password you use for your email account, as well as any other accounts you use to purchase tickets, should be different from all your other passwords. Use three random words to create a strong and memorable password, and enable 2-step verification (2SV).

Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or adverts offering unbelievably good deals on tickets.
Is the vendor a member of Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR)? If they are, the company has signed up to their strict governing standards. STAR also offers an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution service to help customers with outstanding complaints. For more information visit star.org.uk/buy_safe.
 
Report ticket fraud
If you feel at all suspicious, report the email to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk. For more advice on how to stay secure online, please visit cyberaware.gov.uk.

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.
 
Message Sent By
Action Fraud
(Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

[SteveH]

Do you own property that you love?
Do you want to protect it or increase the chances of it being returned to you if it is stolen and recovered, or sold to a second hand retailer?

Every year property is stolen by criminals but often the owners are unable to identify  or recall what the make / model is etc.  What's worse is recovering property that we know is stolen but having to return it to thieves as we can't prove who owns it.

We have joined forces with ?immobilise? a national property database where you can log your items for free.

Why not have a family ?immobilise day? where you can put one person in charge of logging the items when other family members can bring their items for listing? Perfect for those wet and windy weekends!

What's more, for items such as jewellery / bikes and tools you can take pictures as well and upload them.  Making sure you take pictures of any distinctive marks they may have, that scrape on the handlebars when you fell off etc!

Police forces and second hand retailers across the UK have access to this database to check property that they come across (I literally checked a phone this afternoon and found a marker on it!)

So if you love it log it! Oh and you can also record property you may have had stolen if you perhaps still have the packaging for it with the serial number on it.

Check out the website and watch the video for a better explanation of how it works;

The National Property Register, for Phones, Gadgets, Bicycles & More... (immobilise.com)  https://www.immobilise.com/
 
Message Sent By
PS 1620 Sue Carrington
(North Wales Police, Sergeant - Community Safety, Eastern)