Community Watch

Last updated 16/05/2018

Home Watch in Preston Brook exists to help improve the well-being and safety of the residents of the parish.

We try to ensure that you are kept up to date with all the scams and crimes being committed in the area so that you are more aware, so that it is less likely to happen to you.

Whilst Preston Brook is a relatively safe place to live, we believe that being more aware can help protect. In that vein, if you have an incident, even if nothing is stolen, please tell both the Police and Mike Byrne about it. That way the Police can see if there is a pattern to the crime and possibly spend longer in our Parish and Mike can alert us all via this website.

If you have issues that you believe we could help with, please contact us or if you would like more information, please contact Mike Byrne on 01928 717298.

Preston Brook Resident advice
The advice given by one of our local PCSOs included:-

Ensure that the windows and doors of your property are securely locked.
Do not leave your garage open and unattended
Car keys should not be left in view or where they can be hooked through the letter box (modern cars are very difficult to steal without the key)
Ensure that cars are left locked ( in 2015 we had several items stolen from vehicles which had been left unlocked overnight)
Do not leave visible what could be taken as valuable items (e.g. leaving a tempting M&S bag, even if you are reusing it, on show is not worth getting your car window broken.)
If you have an alarm use it.

Remember in an emergency phone 999

For non emergency calls or to leave a message for your PCSO use 101.

Our current PCSO is Emma Hamilton-Kent. Emma, is a very approachable, experienced PCSO who will gladly sort out any Police related queries that you might have.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06 for advice.
Could You Be Scammed? – why not take our test to find out, click here

Help us keep your home secure by following our 10 Top Tips: 1.Don't leave your keys or ID documents within easy reach of doors, letterboxes or windows. 2.Close and lock all doors and windows. If you have multi-locking door handles, lift the handle, lock it with the key and remove it - LIFT - LOCK - REMOVE. Put the key in a safe place out of sight in case of fire. 3.Lock garages and sheds so garden tools and ladders can’t be used to break into your home. 4.Keep side gates locked and wheelie bins stored behind them. 5.Use timer switches linked to lights and a radio so it appears that someone is at home. 6.Invest in a safe for valuables and sentimental items and securely fix it to a solid surface. 7.Install a visible intruder alarm system - burglars don't want to be seen or heard. 8.Install low level 'dusk till dawn' lighting to increase visibility and deter burglars. 9.Keep side and rear boundaries high to restrict access and front boundaries low to remove hiding places. 10.Photograph and mark valuables and sentimental items with your postcode and house number/name. Register items with serial numbers at: www. immobilise.com BONUS TIP! - Please think about how you dispose of new items in your home

Immobilise
Immobilise is the world's largest free register of possession ownership details. These details are searchable by all UK Police Forces and form a very effective tool in helping to identify and return recovered, lost or stolen personal property to its rightful owner. These details are held on a secure system that is approved to Government standards. Can I register my mobile phone? –Yes, you will need to create an account that you have total control over. You will need the IMEI number, make and model of your phone. You can enter other property on your account and will need descriptions, serial numbers and photographs of your prized possessions. How do I get the IMEI number of my phone? - The IMEI is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the handset, except on iPhones where it is located on a pull-out tray. It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering *#06# into the keypad. If your phone is new, the IMEI should also be labelled on the side of the box. Your network provider can also provide you with your IMEI. What happens when my phone is registered? - Should your phone be lost or stolen, and Police recover it, they can quickly establish who the real owner is and restore the property. Can I highlight my phone as stolen on my account? - Yes, Immobilise has a feature for the owner of a phone to instantly update the status on their account as lost or stolen. It is still essential that you report it to your network and police if stolen. Please visit the immobilise website to register your items by clicking this hyperlink https://www.immobilise.com/

Cheshire Alert
I realise that I have sent all members this update via Cheshire police alert, however I am asking that you recommend the Alert service to all of your friends, family and colleagues. They can either sign up themselves or ask any PCSO or police officer including myself to sign them up. This way police officers and I can contact a great number of people with any important updates or alerts. (Including the monthly newsletter) Sign up at… https://www.cheshirepolicealert.co.uk/ Or if they prefer, you can call 101 and ask that an officer signs them up! Easy! ‘Cheshire Police Alert is the community messaging system brought to you by Cheshire Constabulary and servicing the whole of Cheshire. By registering with Cheshire Police Alert, you receive news and appeals, local crime information and crime prevention advice - direct to you as an e-mail, mobile text or voice message. Registering with this site is completely free, and not only allows you to receive messages about your local area, but also allows you to feed back information to your local policing teams to help them better police your neighbourhood’

The ‘Little Book of BIG Scams’ has arrived in Cheshire, providing all the information you need to help minimise the chances of becoming a victim of fraud.

The booklet provides a comprehensive guide on fraud prevention, explaining some of the most common scams in existence and providing essential advice on how to reduce the chances of being scammed.

Detective Sergeant Ian Robinson, from the Economic Crime Unit, said: “Fraudsters have many ways of seeking to gain our confidence; they are manipulative, imaginative and creative when convincing us to part from our savings.

“Anyone could become a victim of fraud and the effects on victims can be devastating, but by spending time reading this booklet now you could save yourself or somebody close to you, a lot of money and heartache in the future.”

The ‘Little Book of Big Scams’ was originally launched by the Metropolitan Police in 2012, and following its success it has now been adopted by Cheshire Police.

The52-page booklet is designed to raise awareness of the varied techniques which are being used by fraudsters across the country to part innocent members of the public with their cash. The guide includes advice on a wide range of scams, including identity theft, door-to-door scams, online fraud and banking scams.

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “This booklet is packed with all the latest information on fraud prevention and provides essential tips on how to minimise the chances of becoming a victim of fraud.

“I’d encourage all residents to take some time to have a read through this publication and learn some of the easy steps that you can take to help protect yourself and others.”

The ‘Little Book of Big Scams’ can be downloaded from the Cheshire Police website at: https://cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/fraud-and-scams/the-little-book-of-big-scams.

May 2018.

Warning issued after elderley residents targeted by scam.Detectives are urging Cheshire residents to be vigilant after an elderly woman from Runcorn and an elderly man from Chester were scammed out of large quantities of money.

They both handed money to a courier for safekeeping after receiving a phone call from a man purporting to be a senior police officer.

The so-called officer told them that their savings had been targeted by thieves and were not safe in their bank accounts.

Cheshire Police’s advice on avoiding such scams is:

• The police will never ask you to become part of an undercover investigation or for you to withdraw money and hand it to them for safekeeping
• Be wary of any calls, texts or emails purporting to be from the police asking for your personal or financial details, or for you to transfer money
• If you are approached, or feel something is suspicious, hang up the phone and do not reply and then report it to police on 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. You should also inform your bank on its advertised number.

Detective Inspector Glyn Leech said: “We believe that victims are being targeted county wide by this scam, with us investigating reports of people being scammed in areas including Warrington, Chester and Macclesfield.

“I urge anyone else who has been targeted by this scam, or other similar scams, to report it to us on 101.”

iCAN Warning: Scam tax refund emails
HM Revenue & Customs are warning the public to be aware of a new wave of scam emails which claim that people are entitled to tax refunds. The emails appear to be from the HMRC and claim but are in fact attempts to get customers to reveal their bank details and personal information.
HMRC only informs you about tax refunds through the post or through your pay via your employer.
The surge in phishing emails coincides with the time of year when the HMRC processes tax refunds. A spokesman for the HMRC said:
"All emails, text messages or voicemail messages saying you have a tax refund are a scam. Do not click on any links in these messages, and forward them to HMRC's phishing email address and phone number.
Anyone receiving a suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC can forward it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk, Suspicious texts can be sent to 60599. Otherwise they can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report any suspicious calls or use its online fraud reporting tool
Further advice from the HMRC on tax refund scams can be found by clicking this link; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hmrc-warns-on-tax-refund-scams
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06
April 2018.

Daresbury local Policing Unit (Moore, Sandymoor, Preston Brook, Daresbury, Windmill Hill)
For April 2018 News Bulletin
Crime
Theft – 7 incidents all unrelated including 3 from employer.
Criminal damage – 2
Suspicious activity – 6, 3 of which were all in order
Concern for safety – 5, 1 of which was all in order
Anti-Social Behavior
We have received reports of youths gathering by the wooded area at the end of Calmington Lane and it is suggested that they are blatantly smoking cannabis. We have also been made aware that numerous items have been found in the underpass by Rudheath Lane indicative of drug misuse. These areas are being regularly visited by both PCSO’s and Beat Managers in an effort to identify those responsible.
There have also been a number of reports regarding Off-Road Motorcycles causing noise nuisance in the Runcorn Road and Moss Lane areas of Moore Village. There has been a concerted effort by PCSO’S and Beat Managers to attend these areas with a view to locating and dealing with those responsible. There will be ongoing visits to these areas to try to tackle this issue.
Roads Policing
It has recently been identified that Northwich Road, near to the Tunnel Top Public House, Runcorn Road, Pitts Heath Lane and the Daresbury Expressway have ongoing issues with speeding motorists.
To combat this, both PCSO’s and Beat Managers have attended these locations with ‘Speed Enforcement’ equipment. It has been established that speeding is an issue for these routes and the vast majority of those motorists stopped by the Beat Manager were local to the area. Of interest, 11 motorists were found to be speeding on Northwich Road alone in a 40 minute period. On Runcorn Road there were 2 in 30 minutes. Clearly this is unacceptable and there will be continued speed enforcement for the areas and those responsible will be prosecuted.
Parking issues have been highlighted on Runcorn road which were subsequently dealt with by way of fixed penalty notice.
Schools in the area are regularly visited by the local PCSO to assist with parking issues etc.
Police Surgeries – There are now Weekly Police Surgeries being held at a number of locations in the area and the dates/times/locations for each Surgery will be arranged over the coming weeks. We are hoping that it will give members of the community we serve an opportunity to meet their local PCSO & Beat Manager face to face in order to raise any issues affecting the local community or individuals therein.
Parish Council Meetings are also attended to discuss any Policing issues.

Bogus debt telephone call.
We have received the following message from Action Fraud about a telephone scam currently in circulation;
Victims receive a telephone call from someone purporting to be a bailiff enforcing a court judgement, attempting to recover funds for a non-existent debt. The fraudsters state the debt originates from the victim not paying a magazine advertisement subscription. A variety of magazine names and publishers are being used by the fraudsters, who also commonly use the names of certified Bailiff Enforcement Agents such “Scott Davis”, “Stephen King” and “Mark Taylor”. These are names of certified Bailiff Enforcement Agents employed by debt enforcement companies. The fraudsters request that the debt be repaid by bank transfer. If the victim refuses, they threaten to visit the victim’s home or place of work to recover the debt that is owed. Once the money has been transferred, victims are not provided with receipt details of the payment or contact details. Later when victims make enquiries, they’ll discover that the debt did not exist, and often that no advertisement was placed.
This type of fraud is nationwide. Since 2017, there have been 52 Action Fraud Reports relating to this fraud. From the reports received, there are a range of different businesses and individuals being targeted.
Protection Advice:
1. Listen to your instinct: just because someone knows your basic details, such as your name and address, it doesn’t mean they are genuine.
2. Stay in control: always question cold callers: always contact the companies directly using a known email or phone number.
3. Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: a legitimate company will be prepared to wait whilst you verify information.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Visit Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/) and Cyber Aware (cyberaware.gov.uk) for more information about how to protect yourself online.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06

TV Providers Discount Fraud.
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) have noticed an increase in Action Fraud reports where fraudsters are offering a discount on Television service provider subscriptions. Fraudsters are cold-calling victims, purporting to be from a Television (TV) provider offering a discount on their monthly subscription. Victims have been told the following: their subscription needs to be renewed; that part or all, of the TV equipment has expired and they are due an upgrade on the equipment/subscription. In order to falsely process the discount, the fraudster asks victims to confirm or provide their bank account details. The scammers may also request the victim’s identification documents, such as scanned copies of passports.
The fraudsters are using the following telephone numbers: “08447111444”, “02035190197” and “08001514141”. The fraudster’s voices are reported to sound feminine and have an Asian accent.
Later victims make enquiries and then discover that their TV service provider did not call them and that the fraudster has made transactions using the victim’s bank account details.
This type of fraud is nationwide. Since the beginning of this year (2018), there have been 300 Action Fraud Reports relating to this fraud. From the reports received, victims aged over 66 seem to be the most targeted.
What you need to do
• Don’t assume a phone call or email is authentic: Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother’s maiden name), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Criminals can exploit the names of well-known companies in order to make their scams appear genuine.
• Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: a genuine company won’t force you to make a financial decisions on the spot. Always be wary if you’re pressured to purchase a product or service quickly, and don’t hesitate to question uninvited approaches in case it’s a scam.
• Stay in control: Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information. Always contact the company yourself using a known email or phone number, such as the one written on a bank statement or bill.

What you need to know about phishing.

What is phishing?Fraudulently sending emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as passwords and financial information. Phishing can also be carried out over text messages (smishing) and phone calls (vishing).
Links
Don’t click on the links in unsolicited emails and texts.
Attachments
Don’t open the attachments in unsolicited emails.
Your information
Don’t reveal personal or financial information as a result of unsolicited emails, texts or calls.

FIFA World Cup 2018 Ticket Alert.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place from 14th June – 15th July 2018. The worldwide demand for match tickets is expected to be significant. Action Fraud have been alerted to several websites which are offering World Cup Tickets for sale, some at highly inflated prices. A FIFA spokesperson said:

“FIFA regards the illicit sale and distribution of tickets as a very serious issue and it has been reminding all football fans that FIFA.com/tickets is the only official and legitimate website on which to buy 2018 FIFA World Cup tickets.”
“FIFA has received various complaints and enquiries by customers of non-authorised ticket sales platforms, and has consistently confirmed that these companies cannot guarantee access to the stadiums as the respective tickets may be cancelled. Insofar customers are at risk of investing a high amount of money (also for travelling and accommodation) without having the certainty to actually be able to attend the matches.”
FIFA have also warned that “any tickets obtained from any other source, such as ticket brokers, internet auctions or unofficial ticket exchange platforms, will be automatically rendered void and invalid”.
Action Fraud received over six hundred reports and intelligence submissions in relation to the previous World Cup so it’s vital that football fans exercise caution when considering a purchase or making a transaction.
Protect yourself:

• Don’t take the risk. Tickets for the World Cup 2018 can only be purchased directly from FIFA. For more information, please visit www.FIFA.com/tickets.
• A FAN ID is required for fans to be able to enter the 2018 FIFA World Cup stadiums. Exercise caution if using a third party to obtain your FAN ID for you. You may be charged inflated costs for the service and your personal details may be compromised. For more information, please visit www.fan-id.ru.
• Visit the Take Five website for the latest guidance on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
• For useful advice and information on the World Cup please visit the Government Guidance Pages; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/be-on-the-ball-world-cup-2018

Fraudulent Cryptocurrency Investments and Fake Endorsements.
Fraudulent websites alleging to offer cryptocurrency investments are dishonestly using the image of Martin Lewis, the founder and editor for moneysavingexpert.com, as an endorsement for their companies.
The adverts using Martin Lewis to promote illicit schemes can be found on social media and other websites. Clicking on the advert takes you to the full article where Martin Lewis image is presented along with fake quotes recommending investments in bitcoin and other digital currencies with the fraudulent “company”. Alternatively clicking on the advert will take you to a page where you are required to input your contact details, the suspect company then phones you and encourages you to invest.
Martin Lewis has published a warning to the public saying “I don’t do adverts. If you ever see one with my face or name on it, it is without my permission, and usually a scam”. The full article can be found here; https://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2018/03/13/martin-lewis-spread-word-dont-believe-scam-bitcoin-code-bitcoin-trading-ads/?
Similarly these fraudulent websites are also misusing images and fabricating recommendations from the investors on Dragons Den. These adverts also claim the investors on the panel trade in cryptocurrencies using their services to try and legitimise their company.
What you need to do

Don’t assume it’s authentic: Professional-looking websites, adverts or social media posts don’t indicate that an investment opportunity is genuine. Criminals can exploit the names of well-known brands or individuals to make their scams appear legitimate.
Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: A genuine bank or financial organisation won’t force you to make a financial transaction on the spot. Always be wary if you’re pressured to invest quickly or promised returns that sound too good to be true.
Stay in control: Avoid unsolicited investment offers, especially those over cold calls. If you’re thinking about making an investment, get impartial advice from an independent financial adviser – never use an adviser from the company that contacted you, as this may be part of the scam.
Visit Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/) and Cyber Aware (cyberaware.gov.uk) for more information about how to protect yourself online.

Online Marketplace Fraud Advice For Sellers.
Action Fraud has received several reports indicating that sellers of items on online marketplace websites are falling victim to fraud by bogus buyers. Typically, the bogus buyers contact the seller wanting to purchase the item for sale and advise they will be sending the requested amount via PayPal or other electronic payment method. The seller then receives a fake, but official looking email stating they have been paid more than the asking price and to send the difference back to the buyer’s bank account. In reality, no money has ever been sent to the seller; the bogus buyer has spoofed an email and purported to be an online payment company. All contact is then severed with the seller. It is important to remember that selling anything could make you a target to these fraudsters however the NFIB has identified that those offering sofas, large furniture and homeware are particularly vulnerable.
Protection Advice
• Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic. Remember criminals can imitate any email address. Stay in control. Always use a trusted payment method online, such as Paypal, and have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for payment like bank transfers.
• Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Always verify that you have received payment from the buyer before completing a sale.
• Listen to your instincts. Criminals will try and make unusual behaviour, like overpaying, seem like a genuine mistake.

Online Marketplace Fraud Advice For Sellers.
Action Fraud has received several reports indicating that sellers of items on online marketplace websites are falling victim to fraud by bogus buyers. Typically, the bogus buyers contact the seller wanting to purchase the item for sale and advise they will be sending the requested amount via PayPal or other electronic payment method. The seller then receives a fake, but official looking email stating they have been paid more than the asking price and to send the difference back to the buyer’s bank account. In reality, no money has ever been sent to the seller; the bogus buyer has spoofed an email and purported to be an online payment company. All contact is then severed with the seller.
It is important to remember that selling anything could make you a target to these fraudsters however the NFIB has identified that those offering sofas, large furniture and homeware are particularly vulnerable.
Protection Advice
• Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic. Remember criminals can imitate any email address. Stay in control. Always use a trusted payment method online, such as Paypal, and have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for payment like bank transfers.
• Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Always verify that you have received payment from the buyer before completing a sale.
• Listen to your instincts. Criminals will try and make unusual behaviour, like overpaying, seem like a genuine mistake.

Magazine Advertise Debt Alert
Victims receive a telephone call from someone purporting to be a bailiff enforcing a court judgement, attempting to recover funds for a non-existent debt. The fraudsters state the debt originates from the victim not paying a magazine advertisement subscription. A variety of magazine names and publishers are being used by the fraudsters, who also commonly use the names of certified Bailiff Enforcement Agents such “Scott Davis”, “Stephen King” and “Mark Taylor”. These are names of certified Bailiff Enforcement Agents employed by debt enforcement companies.

The fraudsters request that the debt be repaid by bank transfer. If the victim refuses, they threaten to visit the victim’s home or place of work to recover the debt that is owed.
Once the money has been transferred, victims are not provided with receipt details of the payment or contact details. Later when victims make enquiries, they’ll discover that the debt did not exist, and often that no advertisement was placed.
This type of fraud is nationwide. Since 2017, there have been 52 Action Fraud Reports relating to this fraud. From the reports received, there are a range of different businesses and individuals being targeted.
Protection Advice:

1. Listen to your instinct: just because someone knows your basic details, such as your name and address, it doesn’t mean they are genuine.
2. Stay in control: always question cold callers: always contact the companies directly using a known email or phone number.
3. Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: a legitimate company will be prepared to wait whilst you verify information.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Visit Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/) and Cyber Aware (cyberaware.gov.uk) for more information about how to protect yourself online.

March 2018

iCAN Warning: Fraudulent Bank Investment Letter.

Halton Trading Standards are warning people to watch out for letters from fraudsters claiming to be employed by overseas banks.
The scammer claims he works for the bank and puts forward an opportunity for the recipient to cash in on the estate of a deceased individual with the same surname as the reader. The scammer claims he can set up the recipient as the sole beneficiary of the deceased's estate and that he would be willing to split the money 50/50, as you can imagine the estate is normally substantial and the numbers run into millions of dollars/pounds. Even if the proposal was real it would be illegal as the scammer would be inviting the recipient to take part in a fraud, regardless of the assurances made by him.
These type of scams rely on building trust and confidentiality between the scammer and the recipient, primarily through emails. Once trust has been gained the scammer will attempt to gain further credibility and may even produce authentic looking fraudulent bank documents/statements. At some point the scammer will attempt to get the recipient to part with some money, usually a small amount at first and usually via a money order/transfer. The scammer will use different excuses/reasons why he needs the money which might include: an administration cost to start the claim; or to cover legal costs of appointing a local solicitor; or to cover the verification and application costs, etc.
Once the sender has committed to the process by making the first payment, the scammer will request further payments for the next stage, or for unexpected expenses, or to process payments through the banking system. Invariably the requested payment amounts increase as the 'prize' gets closer, but the prize never materialises and eventually contact from the scammer will cease. Unfortunately, at this stage the sender can be £000's of pounds out of pocket and with the scammer usually based overseas there's not much we at Trading Standards, or the Police, can do about it. Which is why it is important to be on your guard and to keep an eye out for friends/family.

How to protect yourself, friends and family:

Be wary of unsolicited mail or callers, whether by post, email, on your doorstep or on the phone.
Check the identity of the sender/caller - carry out some basic checks online, often other people will report the same scams via consumer forums.
Always be suspicious if individuals request up front payments, don't pay them and certainly don't pay by cash/money order.
If you, your friends or family, are contacted by someone that you have concerns about then contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506.

Telling people that their solar panel supplier is no longer trading and the panels installed may be dangerous
Telling people that they have to have a new device installed to comply with the law and if they don't have it, the fire service wouldn't attend if the solar panels caused a fire
Telling people that they've taken over from their original supplier and they are offering a free "health check"

The company tries to get residents to invite them into their home on the basis of the above and then sells them a device/and or maintenance contract for their solar panels.
The maintenance contracts are potentially of little value as they aren't insurance backed. This means if the company stops trading or goes out of business the maintenance contract stops. Sometimes companies may ask for money up front for these contracts with no immediate service provided.
How to protect yourself:

Be wary of unsolicited callers both on your doorstep and on the phone.
Check the identity of the caller - make a note of their name, telephone number and the company they are calling from
Contact your original installer to ask them to confirm and information given about whether they are still in business or not
Never pay up front and don't pay by cash
If you do make a contract in your home, you are likely to have rights to cancel the contract within 14 days
The company has to give you a notice in writing that you have cancellation rights and what you need to do to cancel the contract.
The company can only start work within the 14 day cancellation period if you give them permission. Do not feel pressured into signing anything which gives them permission to start immediately.
If you have been contacted by a company that you have concerns about, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Please see below information relating to a product recall by national food retailer Aldi of the Ambiano Mini Fryer.
The following notice has been issued by the retailer on 12/03/18:
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Product name
Mini Fryer
Brand
Ambiano
Aldi code
95760
Barcodes
20072452, 20072476, 20072469
Products affected
All three colour variants: stainless steel, red and grey

As a precautionary measure we have initiated a recall of this product due to a potential electrical fault.
Please do not use this product.
Customers are asked to return this product to the nearest store, where a full refund will be given.
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation.
For further information, please visit www.aldi.co.uk or contact customer.service@aldi.co.uk

iCAN Warning: bogus callers claiming to be from Riverside Housing
On Wednesday night, two men called on an 86-year old Runcorn resident claiming to be from Riverside Housing. They told him that there was a leak in the flat above and they needed access to his flat to fix the problem.

One of the men went into his kitchen and the other went into his bedroom, where they stole £150 out of his drawer.
This follows two previous iCAN Warnings were bogus callers cold-called residents in Widnes pretending to be from Halton Housing Trust.
Housing Association staff will have ID badges. If you receive a visit from anybody claiming to be from any Housing Association ask to see their ID badges and check with your own housing provider if you receive a visit that you're not expecting. If they can't show their ID badge, don't let them in.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

February 2018

iCAN information: The deadline to claim for a Western Union refund has been extended to 31st May 2018
In November 2017 Halton Trading Standards discovered that there was a pot of money in the USA available to people who had been scammed and who had paid the scammer using Western Union. The deadline for applying for a refund was the 12th February 2018 but we have now discovered that the deadline has been extended to the 31st May 2018.
Did you lose money to a scammer and pay using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017? If so, you can now ask for your money back.
The Federal Trade Commission in the USA has reached a settlement with Western Union to return $586 million to its customers who have lost money to scammers. Western Union had received 550,000 complaints about money transfers made for scam lotteries and prize draws, advance fee loans and online dating.
Halton Trading Standards have contacted the Federal Trade Commission who have confirmed that UK residents are entitled to file a claim.
If you have sent money to a scammer using Western Union then you could get a refund or partial refund (the $586 million will be shared amongst all claimants) by completing the online claim form at this address http://www.ftc.gov/WU
You do not have to pay anything to get your money back and it's free to file a claim.
You will need to apply be completing a Remission Form along and providing any documents you have relating to the money transfer and the scam or fraud. Don’t worry if you don’t have any paperwork – provided you know when you sent the money, the amount you sent and the country that the money was sent to, you can apply for a refund.

Your petition can be filed electronically at www.westernunionremission.com on or before 12th February 2018 – the information on the following pages will help you to complete the form.

You can print the form and send it in the post – it must be postmarked on or before 12th February 2018, and mailed to United States v. The Western Union Company, P.O. Box 404027, Louisville, KY 40233-4027. A printable version of the form is available on page 9 of this document.

Halton Trading Standards has produced the attached guidance to help you to complete the online form

It will take up to a year to validate all the claims it gets and return money to people.
If you are a Halton resident and need help to file the claim, please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue, on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN information: Safe in Town Scheme
Safe in town is a scheme that has been commissioned by Halton Borough Council and managed by Halton Speak Out.
Who is the scheme for?
The Safe in town scheme is there to help people to keep safe when they are out and about in the community.
People who are (14+) and have a learning or physical disability, people with Alzheimer’s and other Dementia and anybody who is over 60 and thinks they can benefit from the scheme, can sign up.
How will the safe in town scheme help people to feel safe in their community?
They will be given a Safe in town card (the size of a credit card) to write on the name and telephone number of a friend, family member or carer who can be contacted in the event of an emergency.
They will carry this card in their purse or wallet and if they are out and about in the community and they don’t feel safe, they can go into any shop or building that has the Safe in town logo in the window. They will show the Safe in town card to a member of staff who will call the person named on the card and wait with them until that person arrives.
If you think you or somebody you know could benefit from the scheme contact Yvonne at Halton Speak Out on 01928 713877

iCAN Warning: Scam telephone calls claiming that your computer has been hacked
A Widnes resident has this afternoon received a scam telephone call from somebody claiming to be from Microsoft. The caller, whose first language wasn't English, told the resident that his computer had been hacked. The resident suspected it was a scam and put the phone down.
Microsoft does not send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information, or to fix your computer.
There are a number of different Microsoft tech support scams around - some use text, emails or phone calls but the more sophisticated scams use internet pop-ups or create fake blue screens or system error messages. You can find out more about the range of Microsoft scams around and how to protect yourself by visiting Microsoft's Tech support scams page.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Cold-callers who claim you owe money
Action Fraud has reported a rise in calls to members of the public by fraudsters requesting payments for a debt that doesn’t actually exist.
The caller pretends to be a debt collector, bailiff or other type of enforcement agent. The fraudster may claim to be working under instruction of a court, business or other body and suggest they are recovering a debt that you owe.
The fraudsters will ask for payment, sometimes by bank transfer and, if refused, they threaten to visit homes or workplaces in order to recover the supposed debt that is owed. In some cases the victim is also threatened with arrest.
Protect Yourself

If you get a call about a debt and you are sure that you don’t owe any money, put the phone down.
If you think the call may be genuine because you do owe money to somebody, ask the caller for the name of the creditor (the person they say you owe the money to), and, if the caller claims to be a bailiff, ask for the case number and warrant number, along with their name and the court they are calling from. Don’t pay any money or provide any personal details until you are sure that you do owe the money.
If a bailiff visits you they must always identify themselves as a Court Bailiff at the earliest possible opportunity. Ask to see their identity card (which they must carry to prove who they are) that shows their photograph and identity number. They will also carry the physical warrant showing the debt, endorsed with a court seal.
If you work for a business and receive a call or visit, be sure to speak with your manager or business owner first. Never pay the debts yourself on behalf of the business you work for; some fraudsters have suggested employees make payment suggesting they can then be reimbursed by their employer but in reality the debt doesn't exist.
Double-check with the court, company or public body they claim to work for to confirm whether the call is legitimate If you use a landline make sure you hear the dialling tone prior to dialling as the caller could still be on the line and you could potentially speak to the fraudster(s) to confirm the non-existent debt. Also be sure to independently search for a telephone number to call; never use a number provided by the caller without carrying out your own research.
Do not feel rushed or intimidated to make a decision based on a phone call. Take five and listen to your instincts.
If you know you have a debt, keep in regular contact with your creditor and be sure to establish the debt type at the earliest opportunity if you are not aware. This will help you to understand who might be in contact with you regarding any repayments or arrears.

Being contacted out of the blue by phone, text message, email or in person
Pressured into making a quick decision
Encouraged to transfer money quickly
Told they know of tax loopholes, or promise extra tax savings
Promising high rates of return with minimal risk

If you spot any of these signs, it could be a scam.
You should also beware of anyone claiming you can unlock your pension before the age of 55. This is sometimes called pension unlocking, or pension liberation. Only in very rare cases can you do this and you will likely be hit with substantial charges, a massive tax bill and see your remaining pension savings in high-risk investments.
2. Avoid
So now you know how what to look out for, how can you avoid becoming a victim of a scam?

Reject any unsolicited contact. Legitimate companies will not cold call you, or get in touch without you asking them to.
Check the name of the company against the FCA register. If they’re not on the register, they’re not a legitimate company. You should also check the FCA warning list.
If you’re thinking about an opportunity, seek independent advice from an FCA regulated firm.

3. Report
If you’ve been targeted, or think you’ve been targeted, it’s vital you report it as soon as possible.
The worst-case scenario is if you’ve already signed something or agreed to transfer some money. If this happens contact your pension provider straight away.
If you want to report a potential scam, you can use the FCA reporting form, or if you’ve lost money to a scam, report it to ActionFraud.
Beware of follow ups - If you’ve been caught out by a scam, you need to be careful you don’t fall victim to follow up scams. Companies might try to take advantage of your misfortune and target you again, claiming they’re able to get your money back.
For more guidance on spotting financial scams visit the Money Advice Service website
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: bogus callers in Runcorn pretending to be from Halton Housing Trust
A couple of Halton Housing Trust (HHT) customers on the Grangeway estate in Runcorn have reported bogus callers in the area. The callers told the tenants that they were entitled to a disrepair claim and could get £1000-£1500 for repairs.
This follows an incident two weeks ago when two bogus callers cold-called a HHT customer in Widnes. In the earlier incident the two men entered the lady's home and took pictures on their mobile phones of her bank card and a DWP letter containing her national insurance number.
HHT say that all their staff have ID badges. They are urging their customers to ask anybody claiming to be from HHT for their ID badges before letting them into their homes. If they can't show their ID badge, don't let them in.
Whilst the callers claimed to be from HHT, it's possible that they will also target the consumers of other housing providers - check with your own housing provider if you receive a visit that you're not expecting.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: bogus callers in Widnes pretending to be from Halton Housing Trust
A Halton Housing Trust (HHT) customer from Widnes was visited by two bogus callers yesterday. They told the lady that she was entitled to a disrepair claim and could get £1000-£1500 for repairs. The two men entered her home and took pictures on their mobile phones of her bank card and a DWP letter containing her national insurance number.
HHT say that all their staff have ID badges. They are urging their customers to ask anybody claiming to be from HHT for their ID badges before letting them into their homes. If they can't show their ID badge, don't let them in.
Whilst the callers yesterday claimed to be from HHT, it's possible that they will also target the consumers of other housing providers - check with your own housing provider if you receive a visit that you're not expecting.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

How to protect your email against criminals
Email accounts contain more than just your emails.

Email accounts contain a wealth of sensitive information. Criminals can use your email to reset passwords or obtain personal and financial information, such as your bank details, full address or DOB, leaving you vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

Secure your email account with two simple steps…

1 - Use a strong, separate password
2 - Enable two-factor authentication
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fraud – Schools Targeted
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has seen an increase in recent weeks in the volume of CEO Fraud reports whereby schools are the targeted victim. This has resulted in substantial financial losses for several schools that have fallen victim to this type of fraud.
A school is targeted by a fraudster who purports to be the Head Teacher / Principal. The fraudster contacts a member of staff with responsibility for authorising financial transfers and requests for a one off, often urgent, bank transfer to be made. The amounts requested have been between £8,000 and £10,000.

Contact is made by email and from a spoofed / similar email address to the one the Head Teacher / Principal would use.
PROTECTION / PREVENTION ADVICE

Ensure that you have robust processes in place to verify and corroborate all requests to change any supplier or payment details. Get in touch with the supplier (or internal colleague) directly, using contact details you know to be correct, to confirm that a request you have received is legitimate.
All employees should be aware of these procedures and encouraged to challenge requests they think may be suspicious, particularly urgent sounding requests from senior employees.
Sensitive information you post publicly, or dispose of incorrectly, can be used by fraudsters to perpetrate fraud against you. The more information they have about you, the more convincingly they can purport to be one of your legitimate suppliers or employees. Always shred confidential documents before throwing them away.
Email addresses can be spoofed to appear as though an email is from someone you know. If an email is unexpected or unusual, then don’t click on the links or open the attachments. Staff should not be allowed to check emails or use the internet with administrator accounts.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Phantom Debt Fraud

Action Fraud has recently experienced an increase in the number of calls to members of the public by fraudsters requesting payments for a “phantom” debt. The fraud involves being cold-called by someone purporting to be a debt collector, bailiff or other type of enforcement agent. The fraudster may claim to be working under instruction of a court, business or other body and suggest they are recovering funds for a non-existent debt.

The fraudsters are requesting payment, sometimes by bank transfer and if refused, they threaten to visit homes or workplaces in order to recover the supposed debt that is owed. In some cases, the victim is also threatened with arrest. From the reports Action Fraud has received, this type of fraud is presently occurring throughout the UK.

It is important to recognise that there are key differences between the various entities who seek to settle debts or outstanding fees in England and Wales. These differences range from the type of debt they will enforce to the legal powers they possess. To learn more, please take a look at some of the helpful information and links on the Step Change Debt Charity website; https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/debt-collection/bailiffs-and-debt-collectors-differences.aspx

Protect Yourself

Make vigorous checks if you ever get a cold call. Bailiffs for example, should always be able to provide you with a case number and warrant number, along with their name and the court they are calling from; make a note of all details provided to you.
If you receive a visit from a bailiff, they must always identify themselves as a Court Bailiff at the earliest possible opportunity. Ask to see their identity card which they must carry to prove who they are, this card shows their photograph and identity number. They will also carry the physical warrant showing the debt and endorsed with a court seal.
If you work for a business and receive a call or visit, be sure to speak with your manager or business owner first. Never pay the debts yourself on behalf of the business you work for; some fraudsters have suggested employees make payment suggesting they can then be reimbursed by their employer when in reality the debt is non-existent.
Exercise caution believing someone is genuine because you’ve found something on the internet; fraudsters could easily create fake online profiles to make you believe them.
Double check with the court, company or public body they claim to work for to confirm whether the call is legitimate; if you use a landline make sure you hear the dialling tone prior to dialling as the caller could still be on the line and you could potentially speak to the fraudster(s) to confirm the non-existent debt. Also be sure to independently search for a telephone number to call; never use a number provided by the caller without carrying out your own research.
Do not feel rushed or intimidated to make a decision based on a phone call. Take five and listen to your instincts.
If you know you have a debt, keep in regular contact with your creditor and be sure to establish the debt type at the earliest opportunity if you are not aware. This will help you to understand who might be in contact with you regarding any repayments or arrears.

You can report suspicious calls like these to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfaud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

False claims of Telephone Preference Service: Fraudsters are cold-calling victims, falsely stating that they are calling from one of the well-known UK telecommunication service providers. They call victims claiming to provide a ‘Telephone Preference Service’ - an enhanced call-barring service, which includes barring international call centres.

The fraudsters ask victims to confirm/provide their bank account details, informing them that there is a one-off charge for the service. Victims instead see monthly debits deducted from their accounts, which they have not authorised. The fraudsters often target elderly victims.

In all instances, direct debits are set up without following proper procedure. The victim is not sent written confirmation of the direct debit instruction, which is supposed to be sent within three days.

On occasions when victims attempted to call back, the telephone number provided by the fraudster was either unable to be reached or the victim’s direct debit cancellation request was refused.

During 2017, there were 493 Action Fraud Reports relating to this fraud.
Protect yourself:

There is only one Telephone Preference Service (TPS). The TPS is the only official UK 'do-not-call' register for opting out of live telesales calls. It is FREE to sign-up to the register. TPS never charge for registration. You can register for this service at http://www.tpsonline.org.uk.
You will receive postal confirmation of genuine direct debits. If you notice unauthorised payments leaving your account, you should contact your bank promptly.
Always be wary of providing personal information, or confirming that personal information the caller already claims to hold is correct. Always be certain that you know who you talking to. If in doubt hang up immediately.

If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Flight Ticket Fraud
Fraudsters are attempting to entice victims who are looking for cheap flights abroad.

Victims have reported booking tickets via websites or a “popular” ticket broker, only to discover that after payment via bank transfer or electronic wire transfer, the tickets/booking references received are counterfeit. In some cases, all communications between the company or broker and the victim have been severed.

Fraudsters are targeting individuals who are seeking to travel to African nations and the Middle East, particularly those wishing to travel in time for popular public and religious holidays.

Prevention Advice:

Pay safe: Be cautious if you're asked to pay directly into a private individual’s bank account. Paying by direct bank transfer is like paying by cash – the money is very difficult to trace and is not refundable. Wherever possible, pay by credit card or a debit card.
Conduct research on any company you’re considering purchasing tickets from; for example, are there any negative reviews or forum posts by previous customers online? Don’t just rely on one review - do a thorough online search to check the company’s credentials.
Check any company website thoroughly; does it look professional? Are there any spelling mistakes or irregularities? There should be a valid landline phone number and a full postal address so that the company can be contacted. Avoid using the site if there is only a PO Box address and mobile phone number, as it could be difficult to get in touch after you buy tickets. PO Box addresses and mobile phone numbers are easy to change and difficult to trace.
Be aware that purchasing tickets from a third party, particularly when initial contact has been made via a social media platform can be incredibly risky.
If tickets to your intended destination appear cheaper than any other vendor, always consider this; if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Look for the logo: Check whether the company is a member of a recognised trade body such as ABTA or ATOL. You can verify membership of ABTA online, at www.abta.com.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

January 2018.

Really useful advice from Take Five To Stop Fraud Week
TAKE FIVE TO STOP FRAUD WEEK
22-26 JANUARY 2018
Take Five To Stop Fraud Week is part of the national campaign from Financial Fraud Action UK and the Government, backed by the banking industry coming together to tackle fraud.

The advice being issued this week is really simple but it can stop you becoming a victim of fraud.

A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by.
Don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.
Always question uninvited approaches in case it’s a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.

Please share the attached leaflet with friends and family and together we can help stop fraud.
To read more about the campaign and to access all the resources go tohttps://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

Attachments
Take Five Week Leaflet A5_Generic.pdf - 3,059.4 KB

iCAN information: Three men from Runcorn plead guilty to ripping off three Runcorn consumers
Halton Trading Standards have prosecuted three Runcorn rogue traders after they carried out poor quality and unfinished gardening and driveway work at the homes of Runcorn residents.
Residents complained to Halton Trading Standards after they had paid A D Fencing and Decking (operated by Allen Miller, David Hammond and Stephen Schofield) or Mersey Landscapes (operated by Allen Miller and Stephen Schofield) for various gardening and landscaping work that was either unfinished or of poor quality.
In Warrington Magistrates Court, Allen Miller of Poplars Close Runcorn, Stephen Schofield of Centurion Row Runcorn and David Hammond of Larch Close Runcorn, pleaded guilty to a number of offences under The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Allen Miller and Stephen Schofield pleaded guilty to two offences of posting fake customer reviews on Google. Stephen Schofield wrote a review with 5 stars saying ‘Absolutely fantastic price and brilliant work completed at a very stressful time for the family which truly did help ease the situation by having these great lads!’
Allen Miller also wrote a review with 5 stars saying ‘Amaizing (sic) work, fast and friendly service. Highly recommended.’
They also pleaded guilty to three offences of failing to exercise the standard of special skill and care a trader is reasonably expected to exercise and also of failing to tell the consumers, in writing, that they had a 14 day right to cancel the contract.
David Hammond pleaded guilty to three offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008: two offences of failing to exercise the standard of special skill and care a trader may reasonably be expected to exercise and to one offence of failing to tell the consumers, in writing, that they had a 14-day right to cancel the contract.
The three defendants were fined a total of £320, were told to pay £2300 to the council towards the cost of the prosecution and ordered to pay a total of £5800 in compensation to the three Runcorn consumers.
Follow the advice below so that you don’t get caught out by a rogue:

Don’t agree to buy on the doorstep from people you have not asked to call on you.
Look for recommendations from friends, family and neighbours who have been satisfied with the work they’ve had done.
Get three written quotes from three different traders which include details of the materials they will use and the work they’ll do – this is so you can compare the three quotes.
If you have access to the internet, try searching for the trader online to see if there are any bad reviews.
Don’t pay in full until the work is completed. A genuine trader will not request for payment up front.
Get a receipt every time you make a payment and if possible, avoid paying in cash – a money transfer from your account to theirs is better than cash.

If you’ve had work done and it is not satisfactory, you can get advice from the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: look out for scam texts pretending to be from HMRC
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning that as the deadline for filing tax self-assessments is approaching (31st Jan) there’s an increased likelihood that scammers will be sending text messages.
HMRC is using technology that has stopped thousands of taxpayers from receiving scam text messages, with 90 percent of the most convincing texts now halted before they reach their phones.
Fraudsters alleging to be from HMRC send text messages to unsuspecting members of the public, usually claiming that a tax rebate is due. Messages will often include links to websites that harvest personal information or spread malware, which can lead to identity fraud and the theft of people’s personal savings.
HMRC say that people are 9 times more likely to fall for text message scams than other forms like email because they can appear more legitimate, with many texts displaying ‘HMRC’ as the sender, rather than a phone number.
HMRC will never contact customers who are due a tax refund by text message or by email.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN warning: Cheshire Police warning about courier fraud
Cheshire Police is warning residents across the country not to fall foul of Courier Fraud following reports in Crewe, Nantwich and Chester.
Courier fraud is when the offender cold calls the victim posing as an official such as a police officer or a member of a bank fraud team.
They will instruct the victim to go to their bank and withdraw money. The offender will claim that they are investigating staff at the bank that they need the victim's help in some king of undercover operation, for example the bank staff are handing out counterfeit bank notes and they need the victim to withdraw money so that it can be examined.
The offender will then send a courier to collect the money from the victim.
There are many variations of this scam, which may involve the victim handing over bank cards or high value items.
In one recent incident, a Crewe elderly couple were contacted by an offender posing as a Greater Manchester Police Officer. He told the victims that people had been accessing their bank account using blank cards and instructed them to withdraw money which was to be handed to a courier using a password system.
DC Liz Rankin said: "Over 5,000 pounds sterling and 2,000 euros was handed over to a man who called at their home. The victims described the offender as about 5'2"-5'3" with dark skin and straight black hair. He was of slim build and aged around 20-years-old."
If you have any information please contact DC Liz Rankin from Crewe CID on 101 quoting incident number 516 of 4 January 2018. Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Here's some advice on how to avoid this scam:

The police will never ask you to become part of an undercover investigation or for you to withdraw cash and hand it to them for safe-keeping.
Be wary of any calls, texts or emails purporting to be from the police asking for your personal or financial details, or for you to transfer money.
If you are approached, or fell something is suspicious, hang up the phone and don't reply.
Then report it to police on 101, Action Fraud and your Bank on their advertised number.

Visit www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk for more advice on how to stay safe from scams.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
if you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.
Could You Be Scammed? - why not take our test to fins out, click here
December 2017.
iCAN Warning: Romance scam email received by Runcorn resident
The scam email below, clearly written with a male recipient in mind, has been received by a female Runcorn resident who does not, and has never, belonged to a dating website.
The scammer is pretending to be a young woman from a dating website who will be travelling to the UK next weekend and wants to meet up with the recipient in a hotel and at no expense to the recipient. The scammer states they have put a photograph of themselves on the dating website and encourages the recipient to click the link to view it.
The scammer is hoping to tempt a recipient who may be feeling lonely, or just curious, to open the link which is likely to download malware to the recipients computer/device.
Note, some of the more explicit content in the email has been redacted.
If you receive an email like this, delete it without opening and without clicking on any links.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a fraud please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Could You Be Scammed? – why not take our test to find out, click here

iCAN Warning: Cold callers encouraging you to apply for Government grants
Action Fraud is warning individuals and businesses to watch out for cold calls and online contact from fraudsters who are offering victims the opportunity to apply for Government grants for an advance fee.
To make the grants look legitimate fraudsters have set up bogus companies and convincing looking websites that claim to be operating on behalf of the UK Government.
Fraudsters cold call businesses and individuals offering the grant and if they’re interested direct them to fill out an online application form with their personal information. Once the fraudsters have that information they’ll contact the victims back and congratulate them on being accepted onto the grant programme.
Pre-paid credit cards
Applicants are then asked to provide identification and are instructed to get a pre-paid credit card to deposit their own contribution to the fake Government grant scheme.
Fraudsters then contact victims via phone or email and ask for the details of their pre-paid credit card and copies of statements in order for them to add the grant funds.
Of course the grant funds are never given by the fraudsters and the money that’s been loaded by the victim onto the card is stolen.
If you receive one of these calls, hang up immediately and report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) who have already taken down one website fraudsters have been using to commit this fraud and are working with Companies House to combat this issue.
How to protect yourself:
Be wary of unsolicited callers implying that you can apply for grants. You should never have to pay to receive a government grant, and they definitely won’t instruct you to obtain a pre-paid credit card. The government should have all the information they need if a genuine grant application was submitted, therefore, any requests for personal or banking information either over the phone or online should be refused.
What to do if you’re a victim:

If you think your bank or personal details have been compromised, or if you believe you have been defrauded, contact your bank immediately.
Stop all communication with the ‘agency’ but make a note of their details and report it to Action Fraud.

If you think your bank or personal details have been compromised or if you believe you have been defrauded contact your bank immediately.
Stop all communication with the ‘agency’ but make a note of their details and report it to Action Fraud.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

The information contained within this alert is based on information from gathered by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). The purpose of this alert is to increase awareness of this type of fraud. The alert is aimed at members of the public, local police forces, businesses and governmental agencies.

November 2017
iCAN information: If you lost money to a scammer and paid through Western Union you can file a claim for a refund
Did you lose money to a scammer who had you pay using Western Union between January 1, 2004 and January 19, 2017? If so, you can now ask for your money back – and you have until February 12, 2018 to file your claim.
The Federal Trade Commission in the USA has reached a settlement with Western Union to return $586 million to its customers who have lost money to scammers. Western Union had received 550,000 complaints about money transfers made for scam lotteries and prize draws, advance fee loans and online dating.
Halton Trading Standards have contacted the Federal Trade Commission who have confirmed that UK residents are entitled to file a claim.
If you have sent money to a scammer using Western Union then you could get a partial refund (the $586 million will be shared amongst all claimants) by completing the online claim for at this address http://www.ftc.gov/WU
You do not have to pay to get your money back. Don’t pay anyone who says they can file a claim for you. Nobody will ever call you to ask for your bank account or credit card number. It’s free to file your claim form, and you can only do it online or by mail. Find the claim form and the only real address that accepts claims at FTC.gov/WU.
It will take up to a year to validate all the claims it gets and return money to people.
If you are a Halton resident and need help to file the claim, please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue, on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: scam text about shopping voucher giveaway

An iCAN member has received two scam WhatsApp messages from two different friends who were convinced they were genuine. Both messages say that a big name supermarket is giving away a £250 voucher and contain the web link to enter the prize draw.

In both cases a real friend has forwarded the message. The web link looks genuine but careful readers will notice that there’s a very subtle difference - one letter has been replaced by a symbol.

The other message was identical apart from the name of the supermarket that was supposedly running the draw. The scammer had replaced the letter ‘o’ in Tesco with this symbol Ó (enlarged here so that the subtle difference can be seen).

By substituting one letter with a symbol, the scammer is able to make the web address appear genuine. Clicking on the link will take you to the scammer’s website.

These texts are scams. If you receive one of these messages, or anything similar, delete it without clicking on any links.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Scammers used a Widnes resident’s details to open a catalogue account.

Scammers had obtained the name, address, email address and date of birth of a Widnes resident to open an account with the Ambrose Wilson catalogue. The scammers bought goods for more than £90, paid for express delivery and asked for them to be delivered to an address other than the billing address.

The first the Widnes resident knew about it was when she received her welcome letter from the catalogue along with her monthly statement. The resident contacted Ambrose Wilson who have cancelled the debt and said that they were aware the same thing had happened to eight other people.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, contact the company concerned (this is a technique commonly used by scammers so companies other than Ambrose Wilson can be affected) and your bank immediately to let them know what has happened.

Apply for a copy of your credit report so that you can see if the scammers have obtained any other credit in your name. The Government’s Money Advice Service contains information on credit reports and how to get yours including information about a free service: credit reports.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: scam phone call pretending to be from the Citizens Advice Bureaux

A Runcorn man has received two phone calls from two different mobile numbers, both claiming to be from the Citizens Advice Bureau. The callers have both said that they’re contacting the man over an outstanding debt that he has. The resident knew that the calls were scams because he doesn’t have any debts. When he challenged the last caller the scammer swore at him.

Never give your personal details or bank information to cold-callers, even if they appear to be from an organisation that you’re already involved with.

If you want to find out if the call is genuine use the published number for the service provider to phone them, but wait for 10 minutes before making the call in case the scammer has stayed on the line.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Subject: Shopping Online Safely
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
How To Shop Online Safely

Check the web address
Always check you’re on the correct website. Criminals can set up fake websites that have a similar design and web address to the genuine site.
Is it a secure connection?
Web pages you enter personal or financial details into should display a locked padlock sign and have a web address that starts with https. This means your connection to the website is secure.
Phishing
Don't click on links or attachments within unsolicited emails. The number of online shopping related phishing emails increases significantly during the holiday period.
Bank transfers
65% of Action Fraud reports during the 2016 Christmas period were linked to online auction sites. Don’t pay for goods or services by bank transfer unless you know and trust the person. Payments via bank transfer offer you no protection if you become a victim of fraud.

Subject: Phantom Debt Collectors and Bailiffs Fraud Alert
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)Action Fraud has recently experienced an increase in the number of calls to members of the public by bogus bailiffs requesting payments for a “phantom” debt. The fraud involves being cold-called by someone purporting to be a bailiff working on behalf of a court, attempting to recover funds for a non-existent debt.
The caller will request payment by means of bank transfer and if this is refused, will threaten to visit the premises to recover the debt that is owed. A range of different businesses and individuals are being targeted.

Tips for staying safe:

Confirm what the debt is regarding; bailiffs are only used to recover certain debts such as council tax, child support and compensation orders. Bailiffs are not used to recover debts relating to private advertisement; these would be collected by debt collectors. Debt collectors do not have the same legal powers as bailiffs and will not have special court authorisation to act. For more details regarding this, please look at the Citizens Advice website.
If you work for a business and receive a call or visit from bailiffs or debt collectors, be sure to speak with your manager or business owner first. Never pay the debts yourself on behalf of the business you work for; some fraudsters have suggested employees do this whilst talking with them, suggesting they can then be reimbursed by their employer, when in reality the debt is non-existent.
Double check with the court or originating company to confirm whether the call is legitimate; if you use a landline make sure you hear the dialling tone prior to dialling as the caller could still be on the line and you could potentially speak to the fraudster(s) to confirm the non-existent debt. Also be sure to independently search for a telephone number to call and clarify; never use a number provided by the caller without carrying out your own research.
Request details of the debt in writing to confirm its legitimacy.
Do not feel rushed or intimidated to make a decision based on a phone call.
You can report suspicious calls like these to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfaud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Subject: We are keen to hear your views on our policing operation this Halloween and Bonfire period
Message sent by
Rachel Bradshaw (Cheshire Police, Digital Media Officer, Co)
How was Halloween and Bonfire Night for you? Cheshire Police are keen to hear your views on our policing operation.

Did you see us out in your community, did you feel reassured?

This is your chance to let us know your opinions so we can keep improving the service we deliver to you.

To complete this short survey, please follow this link.

Thank you for your feedback.

Subject: Employment Fraud Alert
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified a number of reports where job seekers are being targeted by fraudsters trying to obtain personal and banking details from them, or requesting money to secure accommodation.
Individuals registering with job seeking websites or searching for jobs on The Student Room website are being contacted by bogus recruitment companies/businesses asking them to complete application and interview forms which request personal details and banking details, as well as copies of identity documents.

In some instances the applicant is invited along for interview, either in person or over the phone, to make the process look as legitimate as possible. This is impacting on students and graduates looking for work both in the UK and overseas. Some job seekers, as well as divulging personal details, have paid money to the fraudsters in order to secure a bogus rental property alongside the job offer.
How to protect yourself:

Check emails and documents from the recruiter for poor spelling and grammar – this is often a sign that fraudsters are at work.
If visa fees are mentioned, ask the embassy representing the country where you believe you will be working how to obtain a visa and how much it costs. Check that the answers the potential employer or recruiter gave you are the same – if they’re not, it may be a sign of fraud.
Carry out thorough research to confirm that the organisation offering you the job actually exists. If it does exist, contact the organisation directly using contact details obtained through your own research or their website to confirm the job offer is genuine.

What to do if you’re a victim:

If you think your bank details have been compromised or if you believe you have been defrauded contact your bank immediately.
Stop all communication with the ‘agency’ but make a note of their details and report it to Action Fraud.
Warn the operators of the job website you used that their site is being used by fraudsters.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

October 2017
Subject: Modelling Jobs Advanced Fee Fraud Alert
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and Action Fraud have recently noticed that Fraudsters have been setting up fake adverts on social media (including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) and job browsing websites to dupe people into believing they are recruiting for prospective models.
Once victims show interest in the job, the fraudsters contact potential victims on the false promise of a modelling career and subsequently advise the victims to come in for a test shoot.
The fraud can then potentially be carried out in two ways;
Firstly, the fraudsters can pressurise the victims in sending an upfront fee to book a slot for the test shoot. Once they have received the upfront fee, the victim will never hear from the fraudsters again.
The second possible method is that the fraudsters will take the advance fee that the victim sends for a photo shoot and arrange a photo shoot with the victim. After the photo shoot, the fraudsters will contact the victim after a few days and convince them that their shoot was successful and offer them a job as a model. The victim will then be asked to sign a contract and pay another upfront fee, usually to secure the modelling contract.
Fraudsters are also creating fake adverts for supposed modelling opportunities for children which do not exist. Fraudsters will inform parents or guardians that a potential career in modelling awaits their child. This tactic convinces the parent or guardian to sign up their child and send an advance fee.
The suspects will also convince the victim that in order to become a model, they will need to have a portfolio. The fraudsters will recommend a number of packages and stress that if a package is not paid for in advance, the process of becoming a model cannot continue.
Over a two year period (September 2015 – August 2017), an average of 28 reports of advance fee modelling frauds have been received per month by the NFIB. In August 2017, 49 Action Fraud reports of this fraud type were received and may continue to rise. The total loss in August 2017 alone was over £71,000.

Tips for staying safe:

Carry out your own research prior to paying any type of advance or upfront fee.
Be wary if you are asked to pay for a portfolio, as many legitimate agencies will cover that cost.
Don't give your bank account details or sensitive information to anyone without carrying out your own research on the relevant agency.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

iCAN Warning: Convincing scam email about your BT email account
A Runcorn resident has received an email which is a convincing scam. The email gives 24 hours’ notice that your email address will stop working unless you add it to your Broadband account at the link they provide. You are also told that unless you do this before the deadline you will lose all of your messages and contacts. Scammers often use short deadlines and scare tactics to get you to act quickly without checking things out first.

If you receive this email, delete it without opening or clicking on any links.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Runcorn Local Policing Unit Daresbury, PrestonBrook, Sandymoor & Manor Park. Newsletter September 2017 Beat Managers Update
The summer holidays are over and the kids are back in school! Time for a well-earned break for parents! Local officers met some children and parents welcoming them back to school on their first few days. I am pleased to report that on the whole we had an uneventful school holiday period with low levels of Anti- Social Behaviour tackled swiftly. We now turn our attention to the upcoming Halloween and Bon-fire night celebrations which unfortunately is a time when we see a spike in Anti-Social Behaviour. Rest assured plans are in place to tackle any behaviour that causes alarm or distress to residents. Parents can help this year by knowing where your children / teenagers are at night. Anyone caught acting in an anti-social manner or committing offences will be dealt with robustly which could include arrest and prosecution, which may in turn have a negative effect on social landlord tenancies. PC Simon SAUL & PCSO Emma HAMILTON-KENT Contact details: Office Tel: 01606 365509 simon.saul@cheshire.pnn.police.uk Emma.hamilton-kent@cheshire.pnn.police.uk
Community First Meetings / Police surgery - upcoming meetings October 4th – Moore. The Milner Institute 7.30pm October 17th – Preston Brook Village Hall 7.30pm October 18th – Daresbury Village Hall 7.30pm October 19th – Sandymoor School 7.30pm Your Local Policing Team... News Stories From Your Local Area Crime Updates - September 2017 At the time of writing (29/09/2017) Cheshire police have responded and attended to 132 incidents within your area in September and carried out 2 arrests - these incidents varied in seriousness however include domestic incidents, assaults, burglaries, thefts, Anti-social behaviour, concern for welfare, missing persons, drug offences, Sexual offences & Vehicle crime . If you would like to discuss anything face to face or raise any concerns within your neighbourhood/ community, please feel free to attend at one of the Police Community First meetings which have been ‘piggybacked ‘ onto the Local Parish Council meetings. The dates of which can be found on the front sheet of this newsletter. Incidents of note On 11/09/2017, following a domestic related incident in the Sandymoor area, a resident was assaulted in his home by a known offender. Local Officers later located and arrested a 26 year old male, whom was subsequently charged with the assault. The arrested male will appear before the courts. Thankfully the victim sustained only minor injuries. On 20/09/2017, Local Officers, assisted by Trading standards, executed a Warrant at an address on Sandymoor. A 46yr old male was arrested on suspicion of Illegal Money lending and later released under investigation. On the evening of Thursday 28th September 2017, an incident occurred near to the park at Otterburn Street, Sandymoor, whereby a group of youths set fire to a bin and were generally acting in an anti-social manner causing minor disruption to road users in the vicinity. Cheshire Fire Brigade were in attendance and dealt with the incident swiftly. Regrettably this incident was not reported to Police at the time. Police Officers and PCSO’s will be giving the Otterburn Street area passing attention over the next few days. If anyone has any information that may lead to the identification of those responsible, please make contact either on 101 or contact your local Beat Manager or PCSO. Also, over the past 2 weeks there have been instances of ‘Fly-Tipping’ in the Newton Lane and Morphany Lane areas of Daresbury, which have been attended to and cleared, however this is still an ongoing issuein and around the Daresbury area, with the most recent occurrence being around lunchtime on 29/09/2017 on Chester road lay-by near to The Lord Daresbury Hotel. It is believed to have been a male driver of a white Citreon Berlingo car-derived van. Again, please report any vehicle or person that you might think is unusual or acting suspiciously no matter how innocuous it seems. News Stories From Your Local Area News Stories From Your Local Area Off Road Bikes After an increase last month of nuisance off-road motorcycles, officers have been working hard to try to tackle the issue, following up on any intelligence received, working closely with local residents and housing authorities in an effort to identify offenders. This month, two vehicles have been seized by police and work is continuing to try to identify other offenders. Cheshire Police have also introduced a scheme which will come to fruition within the next 2-4 weeks, whereby SELECTA DNA sprays will be used to actively target offenders riding these vehicles in order that they can be identified at a later date, Local PCSO’s and officers are currently being trained in the use of this product. I will update in next months newsletter with the outcome of training and any positive outcomes if applicable. News Stories From Your Local Area INCREASE in THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE Please be aware of a HUGE increase in thefts from motor vehicles in the Runcorn area, a number of cars have been entered in various locations across Runcorn and it appears that the majority of offences committed have been of an opportunistic nature, given that the vehicles entered were left insecure by their owners. Please ensure that when you leave your vehicle, even for a short time, that you double check the vehicle is locked. There are ongoing investigations regarding these offences and one male has been charged in connection with a number of these offences. If you see anything suspicious, please call 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Please pass this information on and be extra vigilant to minimise the risk of such offences happening to you or your family and friends. News Stories From Your Local Area Cheshire Police Alert System I realise that I have sent all members this update via Cheshire police alert! However I am asking that you recommend the Alert service to all of your friends, family and colleagues, they can either sign up themselves or ask any PCSO or police officer including myself to sign them up. This way myself and other police officers can contact a great number of people with any important updates or alerts. (Including the monthly newsletter) Sign up at… https://www.cheshirepolicealert.co.uk/ Or if they prefer they can call 101 and ask an officer signs them up! Easy! ‘Cheshire Police Alert is the community messaging system brought to you by Cheshire Constabulary and servicing the whole of Cheshire. By registering with Cheshire Police Alert, you receive news and appeals, local crime information and crime prevention advice - direct to you as an e-mail, mobile text or voice message. Registering with this site is completely free, and not only allows you to receive messages about your local area, but also allows you to feed back information to your local policing teams to help them better police your neighbourhood’

September 2017

iCAN Warning: Scam email pretending to be from DHL
A Runcorn man has received a scam email telling him that his parcel is due for delivery that day.

The email is a scam. The scammer wants you to click on the link which will either download ransomware to your computer (causing it to stop working until you pay the ransom) or you will be asked to enter your personal details at the link so that your identity can be stolen.

The scammer is relying on people who are not expecting a parcel to click on the link to find out what it might be.

If you receive this email, delete it without opening or clicking on any links.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Scam email pretending to be from Insure and Go

A Runcorn resident has received a scam email which pretends to be from a genuine company.

Insure and Go have confirmed that this scam email has been targeting UK consumers.

If you receive this email, delete it without opening or clicking on any links.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Scam Facebook Friend Requests from people you think you know

A Halton resident has narrowly escaped being scammed when she received a Facebook friend request from a distant relative.

The lady has a cousin living in America with whom she occasionally has contact. The lady received a friend request from her American cousin which she thought was strange because they were already Facebook friends but, because she knew the person making the request, she accepted it again.

Her cousin then became a lot more active on Facebook sending lots of messages asking about how the family was. The cousins chatted to each other for a while but then the Halton resident became suspicious that the person she was corresponding with was not her cousin: what they said didn’t feel right and the grammar wasn’t good. Even so, the lady continued to reply to the messages.

The ‘cousin’ then said that she’d won a lot of money with a particular company, she’d seen that her English cousin had also won money with them and she should contact them to claim her winnings. The lady then suspected a scam and stopped replying.

Scammers will pose as people you already know, even setting up fake profiles and accounts, in attempt to get personal information or money from you.

If you receive a friend request from somebody that you’re already friends with:

Ask the person you’ve already accepted as your friend if they have created a new profile. If they didn’t then the request will be from a scammer so do not accept it. Your friend will want to know about the fake profile so they can warn their friends not to accept new friend requests in their name.

If you believe the profile is fake mark the user as spam.

Let Facebook know that the profile is pretending to be somebody else:

Go to the profile of the impersonating account. If you can't find it, try searching for the name used on the profile.
Click on the cover photo and select Report
Follow the on-screen instructions for impersonation to file a report

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Convincing Scam email pretending to be from PayPal

A Widnes resident has received a scam email which could easily catch people off guard.

The first sender’s address is a genuine PayPal one, followed by the scammer’s email address. People who skim read are likely to see the genuine address and read on having satisfied themselves that the message is from PayPal.

The email contains a deliberate miscalculation of the invoice amount showing a massive over-charge (supposedly one item was bought for £35.89 whilst the total invoice amount is given as £144.50) which is intended to cause alarm to the sender, prompting them to click on the link to let PayPal know of their error.

If you receive this email, delete it without opening or clicking on any links.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

August 2017 Alerts.

Subject: Keep your home secure during the holiday season
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
Message sent by
Lisa Cooper (Police, Police Staff, Cheshire)
We’re already more than halfway through the summer break and over the coming week’s thousands of families will be off on holiday
With this in mind Cheshire Police is keen to remind people about the importance of home security.
Inspector Angela Marinari said: “The summer holidays are often a popular time families to take their annual holiday, whether that’s driving down to the coast or flying off to an exotic islands.
“With so many things to organise in preparation for your holiday, it’s easy to forget about your home security whilst you’re away – however it can be a very expensive item to forget.
“That’s why we’re keen to remind everyone of the steps they can take to help improve home security.”
There are a number of simple steps that everyone can take to make sure your home is secure whilst you’re away. These include:
Home Security:
Make sure you close and lock all of your windows and doors before you go leave the house.
Consider using a timer to set your lights and radio to come on while you’re away.
Don’t leave valuables including purses, handbags and car keys on display or near external doors
Consider security marking valuable items with your house number and postcode with a UV pen, or mark it using property marking kits which consist of a traceable liquid.
Ensure that garages and sheds are locked with strong padlocks and, ideally, fitted with an alarm
Consider installing outside lights - dusk till dawn lights with a low wattage bulb will give a constant light when needed. They switch on as it gets dark and turn off when it gets lighter.
Vehicle Security:
If you’re leaving your car at home make sure it’s secure and ensure that your keys are kept out of sight away from any windows and doors.
If you’re using airport parking make sure you don’t leave any personal items or letters within your vehicle.
If you ever use ‘Meet and Greet’ services make sure you keep hold of your house keys whilst you’re away.
If you have a garage, use it. Always lock your car and your garage door. If you don’t have a garage, park on your drive or on a well-lit street.
Never leave anything on display in your vehicle - a bag on the back seat is enough to tempt a thief
Always remove your portable Sat Nav system including any support cradles and suctions pads that are fitted to the windscreen
Inspector Marinari added: “We can’t stress enough how important it is for people to be security conscious – especially during the summer months and whilst you’re on holiday.
“We are committed to tackling this type of crime but we need the continued support of members of the public.
“We would urge you to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity in your area immediately and to address your own home security measures to make life even more difficult for opportunistic thieves.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101.

July 2017 Alerts.
Subject: News Bullentin Sandymoor Daresbury Preston Brook
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
Message sent by
Zoe Bowden (Police, PC, Runcorn LPU East Beat Mgmt)
News Bulletin
Runcorn Local Policing Unit, Daresbury, Moore,
Preston Brook, Sandymoor, Manor Park, Area - July 2017
Message from your new Inspector
“Good day to you all and pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Fez Khan and I am the new Police Inspector covering the Local Policing Unit here in Runcorn. I have recently landed having spent the last 2 years working as a Critical Incident Manager (Response Inspector) and have spent the majority of my 12 years’ service with Cheshire Police working in frontline policing roles. I am extremely excited and privileged to take over from Insp Mike Skillen here at Runcorn and am a great believer and firm advocate in neighbourhood policing. I have been impressed with the proactive work ethic and community focused mindset of all my staff and colleagues here so far and look forward to contributing towards making Runcorn a safe and pleasant place to live and work. I intend to continue to encourage and support our multitude of worthwhile community engagement initiatives, as well as encourage all of you to get in touch with any questions or concerns you may have in your local area. I am very much a people person and will be looking to be out and about and visible in your areas as often as I can so please feel free to come and say hello, otherwise I will! You can follow me on Twitter should you wish to do so at @FezKhan or through @Police Runcorn. Be safe and always dial 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergency matters.”
Police Inspector Fez KAHN –Runcorn LPU

Phoenix Park Experience
This year Runcorn Local Policing Unit aim to set up a new event called Phoenix Park Experience (PPX) which will take place on Friday 4th August between 11am-3pm and will replace Party in the Park. We are hoping to follow the lead from the highly successful Victoria Park Experience (VPX) which has run for 10 years in Warrington’s Victoria Park. They began their first year engaging with 50 children and last year over a 4 day period almost 10,000 people attended, 5810 were children. It has become the biggest free event for young people in Warrington.
Anti-social behaviour is a problem in Runcorn as it is in many towns and an event like this aims to break down barriers between the Police and those young people engaging in this type of criminality. By engaging with these young people it will have a knock on effect in helping prevent other members of our communities also affected by ASB – such as the local council, bus companies, businesses and the housing providers as well as the local residents. This is event has been funded by local partners and is completely free for you to attend and everybody is welcome!

Runcorn Police own social media accounts
Please can you all follow both Runcorn Police’s own twitter account which is @PoliceRuncorn and also our own facebook account which is Runcorn Police, this will ensure you receive all news and information relevant to the Runcorn area and not just the Cheshire area as a whole.   I also now have my own twitter and facebook account for the news and items on your area @ChePolBowden and PC Zoe Bowden.
Zoe Bowden &      Emma Hamilton-Kent
PC 5470 BOWDEN           PCSO20618 HAMILTON-KENT

Crime Updates – July
Cheshire police have responded and attended 108 incidents in your area in July. These incidents varied in seriousness however include burglaries, road traffic offences, suspicious persons, concern’s for safety, domestic incidents and anti-social behaviour.

Burglary of a business
Overnight on 4th July 2017 M3 business on Aston Fields Road, Whitehouse Industrial Estate has been broken into, the offender has cut the padlocked gate and taken stolen a drum of cable valued approximately at £10,000. Anyone with any information please call 101 ref inc 151 of the same date.

Anti-Social Behaviour and Criminal Damage
Daresbury Innovation Centre, Keckwick Lane and Daresbury Hall have seen an increase in Anti-Social Behaviour and damage since they became vacant properties. Please be aware these locations are dangerous, derelict buildings, we are working with the owners to better secure the locations and have had some success with Daresbury Hall but we would be grateful if you could help us to make your community a better place and speak with children before they go out and warn them of the dangers. There will be increased patrols in the area and we will be working with partners to identify trouble makers. #streetsafe

Road Traffic Collision
On 2nd July at 02.30am a female driver lost control of her vehicle near Preston on the Hill, Preston Brook and ended up clipping the curb before coming to a stop in a hedge. Police attended and the female was arrested and summons to court for driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

Overnight 4th July A Renault Clio PJ10GZA was hit by another vehicle whilst it was parked on Malmesbury Park, Sandymoor. The offending vehicle didn’t stop and left damage to the driver side of the vehicle. If you saw anything please call 101 ref inc 259 04/072017

Unauthorised Encampment
Between 21st and 26th an unauthorised encampment of caravans moved around Manor Park, police, council and local businesses worked closely with the encampment meaning they relocated within a few days causing minimal disruption to everyone concerned.

Upcoming Events

Phoenix Park Xperience – 4th August 2017 – Phoenix Park

Anyone with any information to support the Cheshire Police in any crime or incident please call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Keep up to date with policing issues in your local area by following @PoliceRuncorn on Twitter.
Visit www.cheshire.police.uk | Follow @Cheshirepolice on twitter | Like Cheshire Police on Facebook.

Subject: Warning issued following hoax HMRC calls
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
Dan Hind (Police, Media, Chesh Engagement Unit)
Officers are reminding resident to remain vigilant following a multiple reports of hoax calls from people claiming to be from HMRC.

Over the past 24 hours officers have received three separate reports from residents in the Northwich area who have received calls from a man purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

On each occasion the victim was told they were being investigated by HMRC for an outstanding tax balance and if they didn’t settle the balance then they would be arrested. The caller was then informed that if they paid the balance within two hours they will not be arrested, and then told that the balance could only be settled using iTunes vouchers.

The victims were then advised to visit a high street supermarket or electronics store to purchase the vouchers and then call back the hoax caller and provide them with the serial numbers from the vouchers to settle their debt.

Chief Inspector Simon Meegan said: “In each of these cases the victims have been told that they must purchase hundreds of pounds worth of vouchers or face the prospect of being arrested; which has caused anxiety and concern for all of the victims.

“Thankfully in all three cases the victims did not fall for the scam and no money changed hands. However, having been made aware of these incidents we are working closely with local supermarkets and electronics stores to help prevent vulnerable residents from purchasing large quantities of vouchers.

“I would also like to remind local residents that HMRC would never call you and ask you to settle a balance over the phone using vouchers. I advise anyone who believes that they may have been a victim to call us on 101.”

Anyone who believes they have been contacted fraudulently or have been a victim of fraud should call Cheshire Police on 101 and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Subject: News Bullentin Sandymoor Daresbury Preston Brook
Message sent by
Zoe Bowden (Police, PC, Runcorn LPU East Beat Mgmt)
News Bulletin
Runcorn Local Policing Unit, Daresbury, Moore,
Preston Brook, Sandymoor, Manor Park, Area - June 2017

Preventing burglaries and shed breaks
As we now enter the summer months please be vigilant about making sure your sheds and outdoor storage is secured and all valuables are kept locked away and out of sight. Historically around this time of year there will be an increase in shed breaks and gardening equipment going missing! In addition to this, when busy in the garden please ensure that you secure your front / back doors to ensure nobody sneaks into your address whilst you’re preoccupied cutting the lawn or tending to your flower beds!
Phoenix Park Experience
This year Runcorn Local Policing Unit aim to set up a new event called Phoenix Park Experience (PPX) which will take place on Friday 4th August between 11am-3pm and will replace Party in the Park. We are hoping to follow the lead from the highly successful Victoria Park Experience (VPX) which has run for 10 years in Warrington’s Victoria Park. They began their first year engaging with 50 children and last year over a 4 day period almost 10,000 people attended, 5810 were children. It has become the biggest free event for young people in Warrington.
Anti-social behaviour is a problem in Runcorn as it is in many towns and an event like this aims to break down barriers between the Police and those young people engaging in this type of criminality. By engaging with these young people it will have a knock on effect in helping prevent other members of our communities also affected by ASB – such as the local council, bus companies, businesses and the housing providers as well as the local residents. This is event has been funded by local partners and is completely free for you to attend and everybody is welcome!
Runcorn Police own social media accounts
Please can you all follow both Runcorn Police’s own twitter account which is @PoliceRuncorn and also our own facebook account which is Runcorn Police, this will ensure you receive all news and information relevant to the Runcorn area and not just the Cheshire area as a whole.

Zoe Bowden &      Emma Hamilton-Kent
PC 5470 BOWDEN           PCSO20618 HAMILTON-KENT

Crime Updates – June

Cheshire police have responded and attended 114 incidents in your area in June. These incidents varied in seriousness however include burglaries, road traffic offences, suspicious persons, concern’s for safety, domestic incidents and anti-social behaviour.

Residential Burglary
Overnight on 8th June 2017 two properties in the Preston Brook and Preston on the Hill area had their sheds broken in to. No offenders were seen and items such as a petrol strimmer, hedge trimmer and chainsaw were stolen. Please report any suspicious activity in your area.

Overnight 12th June 2017 a Blue Carrera Mountain Bike was stolen from an address on Biggleswade Drive on the same evening an insecure vehicle on Actons Wood Lane was accessed and cash and a bottle of aftershave taken. Anyone with any information please contact police ref incident 675 13th June 2017.

Lock and secure your outbuildings, don’t give thieves the chance
Store any valuable equipment and tools in a secure building with a well-built, locked door. Use British Standard locks, good quality locking bars and high security padlocks. Windows can be protected with metal bars. Always lock outbuildings when they're not in use.
A worthwhile investment is fitting outside security lights controlled by an automatic time-switch or infra-red beams.
Consider installing CCTV

Anti-Social Behaviour
Multiple reports received throughout the month of groups of youths attending at Daresbury Hall and Daresbury Labs, both derelict buildings. On all occasion the groups have made off prior to police arrival. Security has been increased by the companies owning both properties but please discuss the dangers of accessing building sites with your children.

Reports have also been received of groups of children riding in the middle of the roads in the Sandymoor area and causing criminal damage to the park on Otterburn Street, these groups are intimidating and riders have been taking no notice of vehicles and posing a risk to themselves and others. Please report any incidents of anti-social behaviour in your area to help us identify the offenders and speak with them and their parents.
Parking Complaints
Reports from Acton’s Wood Lane, Sandymoor, surrounding parking on the roundabout near the school and driving the wrong way around the roundabout. Officer visited the area on the 26th June and spoke with all the local residents and business in a hope to stop these issues in the future.

Unauthorised Encampment
Between 5th and 6th an unauthorised encampment of 4 caravans moved from Daresbury Park to Manor Park, police and council worked closely with the encampment meaning they relocated within a few days causing minimal disruption to everyone concerned.

Upcoming Events

Cheshire Steam Fair 8th & 9th July 2017 – Daresbury, Cheshire
Party in the Playground 8th July 2017 – Daresbury Primary School
Sandymoor Summer Fair 15th July 2017 – Sandymoor Community Centre

Have Your Say - Community Meetings

Moore Community Meeting - Wednesday 5th July 2017 at 7.30pm, Milner Institute, Moss Lane
Preston Brook Community Meeting - Tuesday 18th July 2017 at 7.30pm, Village Hall, Preston Brook
Daresbury Community Meeting - Wednesday 19th July 2017 at 7.30pm, Village Hall, Chester Road Sandymoor Community Meeting - Thursday 20th July 2017 at 7.30pm, Sandymoor School

Anyone with any information to support the Cheshire Police in any crime or incident please call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Keep up to date with policing issues in your local area by following @PoliceRuncorn on Twitter.
Visit www.cheshire.police.uk | Follow @Cheshirepolice on twitter | Like Cheshire Police on Facebook.

Kind Regards

Beat Manager
PC5470 BOWDEN and PCSO 20618 HAMILTON-KENT
Cheshire Constabulary, Runcorn Police Station - 2nd Avenue, Halton Lea, Runcorn, WA7 2HG
Tel – 01606-36-5509 | E-Mail – zoe.bowden@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

Subject: Pet - Fraud Alert
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and Action Fraud have recently noticed a rise in the reporting of pets, and in particular puppies and kittens, being advertised for sale via popular online auction websites. The fraudsters will place an advert of the pet for sale, often claiming that the pet is currently held somewhere less accessible or overseas. Upon agreement of a sale, the suspect will usually request an advance payment by money transfer or bank transfer. However, the pet does not materialise and the fraudster will subsequently ask for further advanced payments for courier charges, shipping fees and additional transportation costs. Even if further payments are made, the pet will still not materialise as it is likely to not exist.
Tips to staying safe when purchasing pets:

Stay within auction guidelines.
Be cautious if the seller initially requests payment via one method, but later claims that due to ‘issues with their account’ they will need to take the payment via an alternative method such as a bank transfer.
Consider conducting research on other information provided by the seller, for example a mobile phone number or email address used by the seller could alert you to any negative information associated with the number/email address online.
Request details of the courier company being used and consider researching it.
Agree a suitable time to meet face-to-face to agree the purchase and to collect the pet. If the seller is reluctant to meet then it could be an indication that the pet does not exist.
A genuine seller should be keen to ensure that the pet is going to a caring and loving new home. If the seller does not express any interest in you and the pet’s new home, be wary.
If you think the purchase price is too good to be true then it probably is, especially if the pet is advertised as a pure-breed.
Do not be afraid to request copies of the pet’s inoculation history, breed paperwork and certification prior to agreeing a sale. If the seller is reluctant or unable to provide this information it could be an indication that either the pet does not exist or the pet has been illegally bred e.g. it originates from a ‘puppy farm’. A ‘puppy farm’ is a commercial dog breeding enterprise where the sole aim is to maximise profit for the least investment. Commercial dog breeders must be registered with their local authority and undergo regular inspections to ensure that the puppies are bred responsibly and are in turn fit and healthy. Illegally farmed puppies will often be kept in inadequate conditions and are more likely to suffer from ailments and illnesses associated with irresponsible breeding.
When thinking of buying a pet, consider buying them in person from rescue centres or from reputable breeders.
If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

June 2017 Alerts.
Subject: National Neighbourhood Watch Week 2017
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network
We're Neighbourhood Watch - the largest grassroots crime prevention movement in England and Wales.

We're celebrating National Neighbourhood Watch Week (June 17-25) with a bumper edition of our bi-monthly e-newsletter Our News.

Click here to read it and find out how Neighbourhood Watch is helping to connect and protect communities.
Best wishes from the NHWN team

Neighbourhood Watch is proud to be supported by the Co-op Insurance and ERA Home Security.

Subject: Vehicle Online Shopping Fraud
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
Fraudsters have been advertising vehicles and machinery for sale on various selling platforms online. The victims, after communicating via email with the fraudster, will receive a bogus email which purports to be from an established escrow provider (a third party who will keep the payment until the buying and selling parties are both happy with the deal).

These emails are designed to persuade victims to pay upfront, via bank transfer, before visiting the seller to collect the goods. The emails also claim that the buyer (victim) has a cooling off period to reclaim the payment if they change their mind. This gives victims the false sense of security that their money is being looked after by this trustworthy third party, when in fact it is not and the money has gone straight to the fraudster.

Protect yourself:

When making a large purchase such as a new car or machinery, always meet the seller face to face first and ask to see the goods before transferring any money.
If you receive a suspicious email asking for payment, check for spelling, grammar, or any other errors, and check who sent the email. If in doubt, check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller.
Contact the third party the fraudsters are purporting to be using to make the transaction. They should be able to confirm whether the email you have received is legitimate or not.
False adverts often offer vehicles or machinery for sale well below market value to entice potential victims; always be cautious. If it looks too good to be true then it probably is.

If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk, or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Subject: Wedding Services Fraud
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
With the upcoming “Wedding Season”, and for those individuals who are considering making plans for next year and beyond, you should be aware of the potential risks of fraud involved.

According to ‘bridesmagazine.co.uk’, in 2017 the average wedding cost spend is approximately £30,111. This will be paid out to multiple vendors, including; photographers, caterers, reception venues and travel companies, to name a few. Many of these services will require booking at least several months in advance and you may be obliged to pay a deposit or even the full balance at the time.

Being aware of the potential risks and following the below prevention advice could minimise the likelihood of fraud:
Paying by Credit Card will provide you with protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, for purchases above £100 and below £30,000. This means that even if a Company goes into liquidation before your big day, you could claim a refund through your Credit Card Company.

Social Media - Some Companies run their businesses entirely via social media sites, offering low cost services. Whilst many are genuine, some may not be insured or may even be fraudulent. There are a few things you can do to protect yourself;

Ensure you obtain a physical address and contact details for the vendor and verify this information. Should you experience any problems, you will then be able to make a complaint to Trading Standards or consider pursuing via the Small Claims Court.
Ensure you obtain a contract before paying money for services. Make certain you fully read and understand what you are signing and note the terms of cancellation.

Ensure you obtain a physical address and contact details for the vendor and verify this information. Should you experience any problems, you will then be able to make a complaint to Trading Standards or consider pursuing via the Small Claims Court.
Ensure you obtain a contract before paying money for services. Make certain you fully read and understand what you are signing and note the terms of cancellation.

Consider purchasing Wedding Insurance - Policies vary in cover and can be purchased up to two years in advance. They can protect you from events that would not be covered under the Consumer Credit Act.

Complete research on each vendor, ensuring you are dealing with a bona fide person or company. Explore the internet for reviews and ratings and ask the vendor to provide details of past clients you can speak to. You should do this even if using companies recommended by a trustworthy friend or source.

For services such as wedding photographers, beware of websites using fake images. Look for inconsistencies in style; Meet the photographer in person and ask to view sample albums. If you like an image from a wedding, ask to view the photographs taken of the whole event so you can see the overall quality.

Remember, if something appears too good to be true, it probably is!

Subject: Residents warned to be vigilant following hoax HMRC calls
Message sent by
Peter Caldwell (Police, Digital Media Manager, Chesh Engagement Unit)
Police are warning residents to be vigilant following a spate of hoax calls from people claiming to be from HMRC.

Over the past 24 hours officers have received three separate reports from residents in the Northwich area who have received calls from a man purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

In each case the call is from a London number (0203) and the caller is told they are being investigated by HMRC for an outstanding tax balance and that somebody is on their way to arrest them.

The caller is then informed that if they pay the balance within two hours they will not be arrested, and then told that the balance must be settled using iTunes vouchers.

The caller is then advised to visit a high street supermarket to purchase the vouchers and must then call back the hoax caller and provide them with the serial numbers from the vouchers to settle their debt.

Sergeant Michelle Green said: “In each of these cases the victims have been told that they must purchase thousands of pounds worth of vouchers or face the prospect of being arrested; which has caused anxiety and concern for all of the victims.

“While the majority of victims did not fall for the scam, we are aware of at least case where the victim has lost £1,000.

“Having been made aware of this scam we have now launched a full investigation and are working closely with local supermarkets and convenience stores to help prevent vulnerable residents from purchasing large quantities of vouchers.

“I would also like to remind local residents that HMRC would never call you and ask you to settle a balance over the phone using vouchers. I advise anyone who believes that they may have been a victim to call us on 101.”

Anyone who believes they have been contacted fraudulently or have been a victim of fraud should call Cheshire Police on 101 and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Subject: Microsoft Tech-Support Scammers using WannaCry attack to lure victims
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Action Fraud has received the first reports of Tech-Support scammers claiming to be from Microsoft who are taking advantage of the global WannaCry ransomware attack.
One victim fell for the scam after calling a ‘help’ number advertised on a pop up window. The window which wouldn’t close said the victim had been affected by WannaCry Ransomware.
The victim granted the fraudsters remote access to their PC after being convinced there wasn’t sufficient anti-virus protection. The fraudsters then installed Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, which is actually free and took £320 as payment.
It is important to remember that Microsoft’s error and warning messages on your PC will never include a phone number.
Additionally Microsoft will never proactively reach out to you to provide unsolicited PC or technical support. Any communication they have with you must be initiated by you.
How to protect yourself

Don't call numbers from pop-up messages.
Never allow remote access to your computer.
Always be wary of unsolicited calls. If you’re unsure of a caller’s identity, hang up.
Never divulge passwords or pin numbers.
Microsoft or someone on their behalf will never call you.

If you believe you have already been a victim

Get your computer checked for any additional programmes or software that may have been installed.
Contact your bank to stop any further payments being taken.

Report fraud and cyber crime to Actionfraud.police.uk

Subject: Reassurance issued to racegoers with extra security measures put in place ahead of Chester races
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

Message sent by
Lisa Cooper (Police, Police Staff, Cheshire)
Cheshire Police issue reassurance to racegoers with extra security measures put in place ahead of Chester races on Saturday.

Chief Inspector Richard Rees, Cheshire Police Commander for Chester races, said: "With more than 25,000 racegoers expected to attend Chester this Saturday, I want to reassure everyone that they will see an increased police presence to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable time.

"Although there is no direct threat to the races, in light of the tragic events in Manchester we want Saturday to be extra secure to reassure and protect those attending.

"This means there will be extra security measures put in place with regular bag and transport searches as well as ticket checks being carried out. In order for these searches to be carried out efficiently, I would urge racegoers to arrive at the racecourse as soon as possible to avoid any delays and to be patient as it may take longer than normal to get into the racecourse. These security checks are being put in place to help increase public safety and provide greater protection to the event.

“Following the decision by the Prime Minister to raise the national threat level to critical, Operation Temperer has been activated and as a result racegoers may see an armed police presence. This isn't cause for alarm but for further visible reassurance.

"I also want to remind the public to stay alert, be extra vigilant and if they see any suspicious behaviour to either report it to an officer, call the Anti-Terror hotline on 0800 789321 or in an emergency call 999.”

Subject: Ransomware Cyber Attack
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Following the ransomware cyber attack on Friday 12 May which affected the NHS and is believed to have affected other organisations globally, the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has issued an alert urging both individuals and businesses to follow protection advice immediately and in the coming days.

Ransomware is a form of malicious software (Malware) that enables cyber criminals to remotely lock down files on your computer or mobile device. Criminals will use ransomware to extort money from you (a ransom), before they restore access to your files. There are many ways that ransomware can infect your device, whether it be a link to a malicious website in an unsolicited email, or through a security vulnerability in a piece of software you use.

Key Protect messages for businesses to protect themselves from ransomware:

Install system and application updates on all devices as soon as they become available.
Install anti-virus software on all devices and keep it updated.
Create regular backups of your important files to a device that isn’t left connected to your network as any malware infection could spread to that too.

The National Cyber Security Centre’s technical guidance includes specific software patches to use that will prevent uninfected computers on your network from becoming infected with the “WannaCry” Ransomware: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/ransomware-latest-ncsc-guidance

For additional in-depth technical guidance on how to protect your organisation from ransomware, details can be found here: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-your-organisation-ransomware

Key Protect advice for individuals:

Install system and application updates on all devices as soon as they become available.
Install anti-virus software on all devices and keep it updated.
Create regular backups of your important files to a device (such as an external hard drive or memory stick) that isn’t left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that too.
Only install apps from official app stores, such as Google’s Play Store, or Apple’s App Store as they offer better levels of protection than some 3rd party stores. Jailbreaking, rooting, or disabling any of the default security features of your device will make it more susceptible to malware infections.

Phishing/smishing
Fraudsters may exploit this high profile incident and use it as part of phishing/smishing campaigns. We urge people to be cautious if they receive any unsolicited communications from the NHS. The protect advice for that is the following:

An email address can be spoofed. Don’t open attachments or click on the links within any unsolicited emails you receive, and never respond to emails that ask for your personal or financial details.
The sender’s name and number in a text message can be spoofed, so even if the message appears to be from an organisation you know of, you should still exercise caution, particularly if the texts are asking you to click on a link or call a number.

Don’t disclose your personal or financial details during a cold call, and remember that the police and banks will never ring you and ask you to verify your PIN, withdraw your cash, or transfer your money to another “safe” account.

If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, please report it to Action Fraud at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Subject: Smishing Fraud Alert
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Smishing – the term used for SMS phishing – is an activity which enables criminals to steal victims’ money or identity, or both, as a result of a response to a text message. Smishing uses your mobile phone (either a smartphone or traditional non-internet connected handset) to manipulate innocent people into taking various actions which can lead to being defrauded.

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has received information that fraudsters are targeting victims via text message, purporting to be from their credit card provider, stating a transaction has been approved on their credit card.

The text message further states to confirm if the transaction is genuine by replying ‘Y’ for Yes or ‘N’ for No.

Through this method the fraudster would receive confirmation of the victim’s active telephone number and would be able to engage further by asking for the victim’s credit card details, CVV number (the three digits on the back of your bank card) and/or other personal information.

Protect yourself:

Always check the validity of the text message by contacting your credit card provider through the number provided at the back of the card or on the credit card/bank statement.
Beware of cold calls purporting to be from banks and/or credit card providers.
If the phone call from the bank seems suspicious, hang up the phone and wait for 10 minutes before calling the bank back. Again, refer to the number at the back of the card or on the bank statement in order to contact your bank.
If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, please report it to Action Fraud at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or alternatively by calling 0300 123 20

Subject: Tourists Targeted by Fake Police Officers
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
There has been a series of recent incidents reported to Action Fraud where a lone fraudster has approached victims whom they believe to be unfamiliar with the local area. They make an excuse to talk to the victims such as enquiring about directions or offering a recommendation for a good hotel.

After this interaction, several other fraudsters will intervene purporting to be police officers in plain clothes and will sometimes present false identification as proof. The fake officers will then give a reason to examine the victims’ wallet, purse or personal items. They may also examine the first fraudster’s items or try to tell victims that the first fraudster is suspicious in order to gain victim trust and appear more realistic in their guise.

After all the fake police ‘checks’ are finished, victims have then reported being handed back their personal items only to later realise that a quantity of money or valuables were missing.

How to protect yourself:

If an individual claims to be a police officer ask for their name and rank, force, and examine any identification presented; this is always good practice but especially important if they are not wearing a uniform.
The Police will never ask for your passwords or PIN details. Do not give this information to anyone.
The Police will never request that you withdraw/transfer any money to them or to a ‘safe’ account.
If you have been affected by this, or any other fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

April 2017 Alerts.
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
Message sent by
Zoe Bowden (Police, PC, Runcorn LPU East Beat Mgmt)
News Bulletin
Runcorn Local Policing Unit, Daresbury,
Preston Brook, Sandymoor, Manor Park, Area
April 2017

As we continue into spring and the warmer months please be vigilant about making sure your sheds and outdoor storage is secured, historically around this time of year there will be an increase in shed breaks and gardening equipment going missing! In addition to this, when busy in the garden please ensure that you secure your front / back doors to ensure nobody sneaks into your address whilst you’re preoccupied cutting the lawn or tending to your flower beds!
Don’t forget that last month Cheshire police ‘The Herbert Protocol. We’re really keen to promote this this scheme as it is aimed at the welfare and safety of loved ones suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's. Further information can be found by clicking the following link
https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/missing-persons/herbert-protocol/

Crime Updates – March

Cheshire police have responded and attended 93 incidents in your area in April. These incidents varied in seriousness however include attempt burglaries, road traffic offences, suspicious persons, concern’s for safety, domestic incidents and anti-social behaviour.

Burglary Other

On 2nd April 2017 between midnight and 01.00am entry was gained to Freight First on Whitehouse Industrial Estate, a van has been loaded with approximately £15,000.00 woth of oil and driven off through the main gate, incident 824 refers.

Overnight 16th April 2017 business entered on Aston Fields Road, Whitehouse industrial Estate copper and lead stolen from the location, incident 228 - 18/04/17.

Anyone with information to assist the identification of the offenders please ring 101 or you can contact Crimestoppers via the below link to report anonymously: https://crimestoppers-uk.org
or via 0800 555 111

Burglary
4th April 2017 around 9.20 pm an address on Moss Lane, Moore has been entered and a wallet and keys to the occupant’s vehicle stolen, a Black Mercedes S Class has then been stolen from the address incident 1013 refers.

Lock and secure your doors even when in the address.
Keep valuables out of site.
A worthwhile investment is fitting outside security lights controlled by an automatic time-switch or infra-red beams.
Consider installing CCTV.

Suspicious Activity
3rd April 2017 a vehicle with smashed windows pulled on to the Ice Cream Farm on Newton Lane, Daresbury when it was closed. When the two male occupants were challenged they drove off.
Sunniside Lane, Sandymoor reported two males sat in a vehicle outside an address at 4.40pm on 12th April 17, acting suspiciously, again when challenged the vehicle drove off, this time at speed.

Rogue Traders
Reports of cold callers in the Newmoor Lane area of Sandymoor around 19th April 17, caller believed they were the same callers who scamming residents last year. Do not feel pressured into allowing anyone access to your address and look out for people taking advantage of elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

Good News
Vehicle seized on Manor Park Avenue, Runcorn on 24/04/17 for no Insurance.

Have Your Say - Community Meetings
Moore Community Meeting - Wednesday 3rd May 2017 at 7.00pm, Milner Institute, Moss Lane
Preston Brook Community Meeting - Tuesday 16th May 2017 at 7.30pm, Village Hall, Preston Brook
Daresbury Community Meeting - Wednesday 17th May 2017 at 7.30pm, Village Hall, Chester Road Sandymoor Community Meeting - Thursday 18th May 2017 at 7.30pm, Sandymoor School

Anyone with any information to support the Cheshire Police in any crime or incident please call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Keep up to date with policing issues in your local area by following @PoliceRuncorn on Twitter.
Visit www.cheshire.police.uk | Follow @Cheshirepolice on twitter | Like Cheshire Police on Facebook.
Kind Regards
Beat Manager
PC5470 BOWDEN and PCSO 20618 HAMILTON-KENT
Cheshire Constabulary, Runcorn Police Station - 2nd Avenue, Halton Lea, Runcorn, WA7 2HG
Tel – 01606-36-5509 | E-Mail – zoe.bowden@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

iCAN Warning: Fake email pretending to be from Vodafone
An iCAN member has received the email below which claims to be from Vodafone and is a notification that his bill is available for viewing online.

The message claims the bill is for a significant amount of money - £358. The scammer is hoping that the recipient will be alarmed by the size of the bill and so will automatically click on the link to see why it is so high. The link will contain malware or ransomware or will look like a genuine Vodafone page which asks you to enter your personal details.

If you receive an email like this, delete it without opening and don’t click on any links. If you receive an email bill notification from your mobile phone supplier or any other service provider, it is always safer to log into your online account by going directly to their website rather than clicking on links in an email.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Could You Be Scammed? – why not take our test to find out, click here

iCAN Warning: Fake invoice pretending to be from somebody that you know

An iCAN member has received a fake invoice pretending to be from somebody that she knows. The friend’s name appears four times in the email which contains a link to the supposed invoice.

This email is a scam –
If you get an email about an unexpected invoice, do not click on any links in it and delete it without opening.

The scammer is hoping that recipients will click on the link which will download malware to their computer and could be used to access their personal information.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Could You Be Scammed? – why not take our test to find out, click here

iCAN Warning: Scam email pretending to be from WhatsApp
Consumers in Ireland have reported receiving fake WhatsApp email titled ‘Missed Voicemail’. The email contains a link to play the voicemail message. Clicking on the link downloads malware to your device.
If you receive an email like this, don’t click on any links and delete it without opening.
If you want to check your WhatsApp voicemail messages, log into your WhatsApp account in the normal way.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Could You Be Scammed? – why not take our test to find out, click here

iCAN Warning: Scam email pretending to be from PayPal
An iCAN member has received the fake email below which claims he has made a PayPal payment to somebody that he doesn’t know.

The scammer wants recipients of the email to click on the transaction links which take you to a bogus site that has nothing to do with PayPal. The links will either download malware or ransomware to your computer or ask you to complete information about your PayPal account.

If you receive an email like this, delete it without clicking on any links. You can let PayPal know about any suspicious emails or websites by following their advice.

If you want to check a transaction in your account, log into your PayPal account from their website (Paypal website).

To protect your computer and your personal information:

Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Most anti-virus software contains an ‘anti-spyware’ scan which may be able to detect key loggers. If your current software does not offer this function, consider installing software which does - both free and paid for anti-spyware is widely available.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that device as well.

Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Most anti-virus software contains an ‘anti-spyware’ scan which may be able to detect key loggers. If your current software does not offer this function, consider installing software which does - both free and paid for anti-spyware is widely available.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that device as well.

Check your bank statement to see how much has been debited from your account
Speak to your bank to ask for a charge back and consider cancelling your card
Let Trading Standards know via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06

Avoid being caught out by other doorstep rogues by refusing to deal with people who cold-call you.

You can get a free No Cold Calling Card and Letterbox Sticker from any Halton Direct Link.

If you are visited by somebody trying to sell you fish on the doorstep please let Trading Standards know by ringing the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline and ask them to make a hot referral to us.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06 for advice.
Could You Be Scammed? – why not take our test to find out, click here

iCAN information: new scheme to help people living with dementia and their families
Cheshire Police has launched the Herbert Protocol, which encourages carers, family members and friends of those with dementia to complete a form recording vital details about that person in case they ever go missing.
Those details include a photograph of the person, any medication they require, contact phone numbers and key information about places they like to visit, where they used to live and work and their normal routine.
This means that if they are ever reported missing to the police, information that can be used to help locate them quickly is instantly available to police officers.
Once you’ve completed the form you’ll need to keep it in a safe place so that you know where to find it quickly. There’s no need for the police or anyone else to have access to this information unless the person goes missing. You keep the information and hand it over when the police need it - it will be used to help the police to find the person as soon as possible, and nothing more.
If you have a friend or relative living with dementia, you can benefit from this initiative by completing the form (attached to this message).
If you don’t have access to a computer you can get a copy of the form from the helpdesk at either Runcorn or Widnes Police Stations or you can ask any police officer for one.
To find out more about the Herbert Protocol or to register a friend or family member visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/missing-persons/herbert-protocol/.

For advice or information about dementia please you can visit www.alzheimers.org.uk or call the Alzheimer’s Society North West office on 01925 572239.

Subject: Law Abiding Citizen Alert
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Fraudsters are sending out a high volume of phishing emails to personal and business email addresses, pretending to come from various email addresses, which have been compromised.

The subject line contains the recipient’s name, and the main body of text is as below:

“Hi, [name]!
I am disturbing you for a very serious reason. Although we are not familiar, but I have significant amount of individual info concerning you. The thing is that, most likely mistakenly, the data of your account has been emailed to me.

For instance, your address is:
[real home address]

I am a law-abiding citizen, so I decided to personal data may have been hacked. I attached the file – [surname].dot that I received, that you could explore what info has become obtainable for scammers. File password is – 2811

Best Wishes,”
The emails include an attachment – a ‘.dot’ file usually titled with the recipient’s name.

This attachment is thought to contain the Banking Trojan Ursniff/Gozi, hidden within an image in the document. The Ursniff Banking Trojan attempts to obtain sensitive data from victims, such as banking credentials and passwords. The data is subsequently used by criminals for monetary gain.

Protect Yourself:
Having up-to-date virus protection is essential; however it will not always prevent your device(s) from becoming infected.

Please consider the following actions:

Don’t click on links or open any attachments you receive in unsolicited emails or SMS messages: Remember that fraudsters can ‘spoof’ an email address to make it look like one used by someone you trust. If you are unsure, check the email header to identify the true source of communication (you can find out how by searching the internet for relevant advice for your email provider).
Do not enable macros in downloads; enabling macros will allow Trojan/malware to be installed onto your device.
Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It is important that the device you back up to is not connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that as well.
If you think your bank details have been compromised, you should contact your bank immediately.

If you have been affected by this or any other fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk.

March 2017 Alerts
Police Updates for March2017.
Crime Updates – March

Cheshire police have responded and attended 92 incidents in your area in March. These incidents varied in seriousness however include attempt burglaries, road traffic offences, suspicious persons, concern’s for safety, domestic incidents and anti-social behaviour.

Attempt Burglary

On 26th March 2017 at 09.40 hours, 2 men and 1 women were seen entering the outbuildings at the Ring O'Bells Public House, Daresbury. When challenged they stated they were looking for scrap metal. The suspects were in a light grey battered transit van.

Burglary Other

Overnight 9th March 2017 between 18.00 - 07.30 entry was forced into a detached garage on Bisham Park, Sandymoor and a Honda CRF450 off road motorbike stolen. Anybody with any information please call 101 and quote incident 100 of 09/03/17

Between 12/03/17 - 15/03/17 a garage in Aston Green, Preston Brook has been broken in to, 2 pushbikes have been stolen, incident 161 - 15/03/17.

Burglary

Between 9th - 12th March 2017 an address on Delph Lane, Daresbury had the upstairs window smashed and entry to the property gained, offenders have stolen an expensive iron before leaving the address, incident 805 of 12/03/17 refers.

Lock and secure your outbuildings, don’t give thieves the chance
Store any valuable equipment and tools in a secure building with a well-built, locked door. Use British Standard locks, good quality locking bars and high security padlocks. Windows can be protected with metal bars. Always lock outbuildings when they're not in use.
A worthwhile investment is fitting outside security lights controlled by an automatic time-switch or infra-red beams.
Consider installing CCTV

Road Traffic Collision

At 16.26 hours on 14th March 2017 there was a Road Traffic Collision on Wharford Lane, Runcorn between a Renault Clio and a man on a motorbike, only minor injuries were reported.

Good News

On Wednesday 15th March 2017 Cheshire Constabulary and The National Illegal Money Lending Team executed warrants targeting loan sharks in both the Sandymoor and Murdishaw districts of Runcorn as well as the Speke district of Liverpool.

As a result two men have been arrested in relation to illegal money lending.

If any members of the public have any information regarding illegal money lending or have fallen into debt as a result of loan sharks please contact the National Illegal Money Lending Team hotline on 0300 5552222 – inc 99 - 15/03/17

Vehicle seized on Northwich Road, Runcorn on 17/03/17 for no Insurance and a further vehicle was seized on Manor Park on 27/03/17

As of April 2017 Cheshire Constabulary will be using The Herbert Protocol.

Do you have a friend or relative with Alzheimer’s or dementia and often worry that they may go missing?

We appreciate that caring for people with dementia is challenging—and that planning ahead and keeping safe is really important. There is often a risk that people living with dementia can at some point start to ‘walk about’. While this may only be into the garden or street and returning a short time later, some people can get lost and go missing. This can lead to feelings of confusion, fear and vulnerability for individuals and their families, particularly at night time or during times of extreme weather.

The Herbert Protocol is here to help provide you with reassurance, and help you keep friends and relatives safe. It is a national initiative adopted by Cheshire Constabulary, as well as other police forces around the UK.

Full information and a copy of the Protocol guidance and forms can be found on https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/missing-persons/herbert-protocol/

This is vital—if you can’t find someone in the normal way you would expect to, then you MUST call the police on 999.

iCAN Warning: Computer servicing scam that asks for payment in iTunes vouchers
A Halton resident has narrowly avoided being caught out by a scammer who contacted him out of the blue offering a servicing agreement for his computer. The caller explained that the agreement would last for 5 years and the resident could choose the frequency of the payments. The caller asked for payment in iTunes vouchers.
The resident went to buy £100 worth of iTunes vouchers from his local Argos who queried why he was buying so many. When he explained the assistant advised him that it was a known scam. Later that day, the scammer called back asking for the iTunes voucher codes. The resident challenged him about it being a scam and he put the phone down.
The scammer only needs the code from the back of the iTunes vouchers to be able to sell them on – they don’t need the actual voucher. Scammers will take your codes and leave you with nothing.
iTunes vouchers have been used by scammers as a method of payment in other scams including where the recipient is told that they have unpaid taxes and a warrant is out for their arrest.
This scam is being operated using various contact methods such as automated voicemail messages, calling from a spoofed number such as 0300 200 3300 and text messages.
If anybody asks you for payment in iTunes vouchers always be suspicious.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: scam email claiming that your personal information is being circulated

A Halton resident has received the scam email below which is particularly concerning because the scammer knows his full postal address. The scammer claims to have received the recipient’s details by mistake and wants to alert him in case he has been hacked.
The message contains an attachment which the scammer claims is the personal information she has received by mistake.
This email is a scam and the attachment contains a virus.
If you receive a message like this, do not click on any attachments and delete it without opening.
To protect your computer and your personal information:

Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Most anti-virus software contains an ‘anti-spyware’ scan which may be able to detect key loggers. If your current software does not offer this function, consider installing software which does - both free and paid for anti-spyware is widely available.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that device as well.

Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Most anti-virus software contains an ‘anti-spyware’ scan which may be able to detect key loggers. If your current software does not offer this function, consider installing software which does - both free and paid for anti-spyware is widely available.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that device as well.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Romance scam email
A female Halton resident has received the romance scam email below.

The same message will have been sent randomly to thousands of people and whilst most will ignore it there will be a percentage of the population that will respond, just to find out more or to explain to the sender that they’ve emailed the wrong person.

People who enjoy taking risks, those who like to be spontaneous or people who believe in fate might be more tempted to reply, especially if they are recently bereaved, divorced or separated from a long term partner. Because the sender is not asking for money or personal information some people might think that they’ve got nothing to lose - this is what the scammer relies on.

If you respond you’ll receive declarations of love followed by requests for money to help pay for a range of things that the scammer will say are necessary to enable you to spend your lives together. The scammer will flatter you and make you feel special and even if you’re uncomfortable sending them money, you’ll be tempted to do it because the contact from them brightens up your day.

If you receive an email like this, the best thing you can do is to delete it.

Our specialist scams officers have worked with several Halton people who have lost thousands to romance scammers. If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Scam phone call Scam phone call from 0161 265 0016

A Halton resident received a phone call on Friday from a man claiming to work for a well-known claims management company. The call was made from 0161 265 0016.

The resident was told that his bank had made a mistake and that he was entitled to £3600 from them. The caller said that they had the money and they would bring him a cheque as long as he gave them £360 first.

The resident didn’t believe that the bank owed him this money so he told the caller he would check with the Police, at which point the caller put the phone down.

A quick internet search on this telephone number reveals that several people have reported the same scam over the last month.

If you receive a cold call from anybody claiming you are owed money or trying to sell you something don’t make a snap decision, agree to a visit or give the caller any of your details. Explain that on the advice of Trading Standards you need to make some checks first, ask them for their company name, address and phone number and tell them that you will call them back if you want to talk to them further.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

February 2017 Alerts
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
Message sent by
Zoe Bowden (Police, PC, Runcorn LPU East Beat Mgmt)
News Bulletin
Runcorn Local Policing Unit, Daresbury,
Preston Brook, Sandymoor, Manor Park, Area
I hope 2017 has been off to a great start for you all.

This month I wanted to make you aware of the new rules surrounding mobile phone use while driving.

As of March 2017 any person caught using the mobile phone while driving will receive 6 points on their license and a £200 fine. Offend twice and expect a fine of up to £1000 and a 6 month driving ban.

This will include the use of mobile phones whilst stationary at traffic lights and if you are using one whilst supervising a learner driver.

Had your license for less than 2 years? Being caught just once will result in you being banned from driving.

I have written about the use of mobile phones whilst driving before but drivers can still be seen using them. A license to drive can be lethal in the wrong hands and the responsibility to drive safely should not be dependent on the risk of being caught.

Zoe Bowden &      Emma Hamilton-Kent
PC 5470 BOWDEN           PCSO20618 HAMILTON-KENT
Crime Updates – January

Cheshire police have responded and attended 91 incidents in your area in January. These incidents varied in seriousness however include missing persons, road traffic offences, Suspicious persons, domestic incidents and anti-social behaviour.

Mobile Phone Campaign

Carrying on from earlier, Between 1st and 7th March Cheshire Police will be running a mobile phone enforcement campaign to target those people using a mobile phone while driving.

There is no excuse for using your phone whilst driving without a lawful and adequate blutooth device. It might be 6 points on the license and a£200 fine or it might be a 10 year prison sentence and a lifetime of guilt. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37823457

Defrosting Your Car

On the day of writing this report I spent ten minutes defrosting my car to be able to drive to the police station to start work. I thought back to the number of frosty mornings over the years where I have driven through Runcorn stopping to advise persons ‘defrosting’ their cars by leaving them running and unattended while they make a brew.

I’ll write for you what I say to them:
By leaving your car running to defrost outside while you are inside you are committing a criminal offence (‘quitting’), you are more likely to have your vehicle stolen (we receive numerous reports every year of this very thing) and you may find it impossible to get your insurance company to pay out if the vehicle is stolen in this way. Drivers should always be in control of their vehicle when the engine is running, even when they’re loading or unloading shopping or baggage.

Criminal Damage

There has been criminal damage caused to CCS Electronics on Aragon Court at the location a security light was smashed and the fire doors were graphited overnight 10th – 11th January 2017. If anybody has seen anything suspicious that evening please call 101 and quote incident number 229 11st January 2017.

Theft

Throughout December there has been a number of theft incidents reported.

6th January 2017 at around 08.40am a male reversed in to the loading bay area of the Daresbury Park Hotel and stole a number of new towels that had recently been delivered before leaving the location with the towels when challenged by staff. Incident number 124, 6th January 2017

Over the Christmas period damage has been caused to a post box in the area of Daresbury Hall, as well as the damage it also appears that the post has been stolen, if you have seen anything suspicious in the area over this period please contact 101 and quote incident 582 of 9th January 2017.

Incident 208 of 28th January 2017 relates to a high value theft from ZIP 56 on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate, on 28th January 2017 thieves have used a fork lift truck to enter the property and steal bails of coiled steel wire to the approximate value of £200,000.00. it is believed than due to the volumes of goods stolen a HGV was used.

Good News

Bike Marking event held in Moore, 15 bikes marked and another 20 property marking kits given out to members of the community that came to see us.

Upcoming Events

Bike Marking event on Saturday 4th February 2017 at Sandymoor School 11am – 3pm

Have Your Say - Community Meetings

Daresbury Community Meeting - Wednesday 15th February 2017 at 7.30pm, Village Hall, Chester Road Sandymoor Community Meeting - Thursday 16th February 2017 at 7.30pm, Sandymoor School
Preston Brook Community Meeting - Tuesday 21st February 2017 at 7.30pm, Village Hall, Preston Brook
Moore Community Meeting - Wednesday 1st March 2017 at 7.00pm, Milner Institute, Moss Lane

Anyone with any information to support the Cheshire Police in any crime or incident please call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Keep up to date with policing issues in your local area by following @PoliceRuncorn on Twitter.
Visit www.cheshire.police.uk | Follow @Cheshirepolice on twitter | Like Cheshire Police on Facebook

Kind Regards

Beat Manager
PC5470 BOWDEN and PCSO 20618 HAMILTON-KENT
Cheshire Constabulary, Runcorn Police Station - 2nd Avenue, Halton Lea, Runcorn, WA7 2HG
Tel – 01606-36-5509 | E-Mail – zoe.bowden@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

January 2017 Alerts
Subject: Reminder: Payment Diversion Alert
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
Payment diversion alert
Fraudsters are emailing members of the public who are expecting to make a payment for property repairs. The fraudsters will purport to be a tradesman who has recently completed work at the property and use a similar email address to that of the genuine tradesman. They will ask for funds to be transferred via bank transfer. Once payment is made the victims of the scam soon realise they have been deceived when the genuine tradesman requests payment for their services.

Protect yourself

Always check the email address is exactly the same as previous correspondence with the genuine contact.
For any request of payment via email verify the validity of the request with a phone call to the person who carried out the work.
Check the email for spelling and grammar as these signs can indicate that the email is not genuine.
Payments via bank transfer offer no financial protection; consider using alternative methods such as a credit card or PayPal which offer protection and an avenue for recompense.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

Subject: Cheshire Police say Lock it or Lose it after burglary spate across the county
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)
Message sent by
Dan Hind (Police, Media, Chesh Engagement Unit)
Cheshire Police are urging residents to lock it or lose it following a number of burglaries across the county.

The simple step of locking your door whether you’re in, or out, is vital in keeping opportunist thieves from your door.

Between 13 and 15 January 2017 police received a number of reports of burglaries in the north and east of the county. Out of the seven burglaries five of the properties were unlocked at the time.

Superintendent Peter Crowcroft said: "It’s important to take some time to assess your current security measures at home and see if they could be improved. However, the first rule of crime prevention, and you might think is obvious, is to keep the door locked and secure, whether it is your home, shed or outbuilding. That applies whether you’re in or out.

“We all have busy lives and some things get overlooked and locking the door seems to be one of them, giving opportunist thieves access to your hard earned goods. So take the time to check, have you locked your door?

“You might think it’s okay to leave the door unlocked because you’re in the house, but that doesn’t stop brazen thieves who often sneak in unnoticed, undeterred that you’re home.

“As well as locking your doors and windows, we also advise you don’t leave valuables, or keys, near windows where they can be seen from the outside. It’s an added incentive for a burglar if he knows there’s something good on offer before he goes in.

"And if you see anyone acting suspiciously, call police on 101 and report it. You may be doing your neighbours − or yourself- a big favour.”

You can make your house look lived in and keep your home safe and secure, by taking a few simple steps:
• Consider using a timer to set your lights and radio to come on while you’re out
• Make sure all your doors and windows are secure
• Don’t leave valuables including purses, handbags and car keys on display or near external doors
• Don’t leave keys near the door or in view
• Consider security marking valuable items with your house number and postcode with a UV pen, or mark it using property marking kits which consist of a traceable liquid to forensically mark valuables

HIGHWAYS ENGLAND

HIGHWAYS ENGLAND UPDATES
M56 new Junction 11a

Here is the latest information on the M56 new Junction 11aWe've updated this scheme with the latest information on our public consultation. Please check the project page to find out more.

Roadwork information is not updated in real time. Check Traffic England for the latest information and current traffic conditions.
View this email as a web page
This service is provided free of charge by Highways England. Visit us on the web at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/highways-england
Please do not reply to this email.

Technical queries or problems? Contact digital_communications@highwaysengland.co.uk
All other enquiries should go to info@highwaysengland.co.uk

Subject: Warning issued to vulnerable residents
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)
Message sent by
Dan Hind (Police, Media, Chesh Engagement Unit)
Officers are warning residents to be vigilant following an incident involving a bogus caller in Chester.

During the incident, which occurred on Wednesday 11 January in the Hoole area of Chester, an elderly man was targeted by cold callers who claimed to be builders and told the man that his roof needed to be repaired.

The builders then told the resident that he could do the repairs, but in order to do so he would need to be paid in advance. The resident handed over an initial deposit for the work, but was then asked to provide an additional £6,000, which had to be paid in cash.

The victim then went to his local bank to withdraw the money, but thankfully the alarm was raised by a member of staff and the money was not passed over to the cold caller.

Inspector Karen Jaundrill said: “Following this incident I would like to appeal to the local community to look out for elderly relatives, friends and neighbours to help reduce the likelihood of someone else becoming a victim.

“I would also like to remind all residents about the importance of people not letting anyone into their home who calls unexpectedly and if you have a chain, always use it. Make sure you ask for identification and if they provide it, close the door and check the number, but most importantly, if you have any doubts about them being genuine, don′t let them in and ask them to come back later when you are not alone. Any suspicious activity should be reported to police.”

There are a number of simple steps that residents can take to protect themselves their families, friends and neighbours, these include:

• Check the identity of callers by calling the company they claim to be from. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory, online or provided independently by your service provider. Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller − they may be bogus.
• Telephone a neighbour or friend nearby to come along and check out the caller before you open the door to them.
• The "Waterboard" has not existed for 28 years; turn away anyone purporting to be from it.
• Keep cash in the bank where it is secure.
• Consider storing valuable jewellery in bank deposit box - contact your bank for details.
• Keep doors locked and windows secure at all times.
• Ensure that if you do let somebody in to your home, that you close the door behind them − distraction burglars often work in teams, while you′re distracted another person may sneak in through an open door.
• If somebody asks for your help, needs to make a telephone call, needs a drink or wants directions, don′t feel pressurised into letting them in. Help through a closed door; refer them to a younger neighbour or call to ask someone to assist.
• Not sure? Don′t open the door.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Cheshire Police on 101. Information can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For more information and advice visit the Cheshire Police website: http://www.cheshire.police.uk.

Subject: Fake Amazon emails claim you have placed an order
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Action Fraud has received several reports from victims who have been sent convincing looking emails claiming to be from Amazon. The spoofed emails from “service@amazon.co.uk” claim recipients have made an order online and mimic an automatic customer email notification.
The scam email claims recipients have ordered an expensive vintage chandelier. Other reported examples include: Bose stereos, iPhone’s and luxury watches.

The emails cleverly state that if recipients haven’t authorised the transaction they can click on the help centre link to receive a full refund. The link leads to an authentic-looking website, which asks victims to confirm their name, address, and bank card information.

Amazon says that suspicious e-mails will often contain:

Links to websites that look like Amazon.co.uk, but aren't Amazon.co.uk.
Attachments or prompts to install software on your computer.
Typos or grammatical errors.
Forged (or spoofed) e-mail addresses to make it look like the e-mail is coming from Amazon.co.uk.

Amazon will never ask for personal information to be supplied by e-mail.
You can read more about identifying suspicious emails claiming to be from Amazon by visiting https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201489210

To report a fraud or cyber crime, call us on 0300 123 2040.

Subject: Join the Conversation
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
Message sent by
Liz Biddle (Police, Community Engagement Officer, Chesh Engagement Unit)
Join the conversation on funding for your police service

David Keane, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, is urging residents and businesses across the county to join the conversation on funding for their police service.

Between 3 and 24 January 2017, residents and businesses will be able to give their views on whether funding for Cheshire Constabulary should be maintained at current levels or reduced.

A number of public consultation roadshows have been arranged across the county to enable the Commissioner and his team to gather views from as many people as possible. However, in addition to the consultation, there is also a short online survey.

This is your chance to let the Police & Crime Commissioner know your thoughts on whether he should be protecting funding for local policing. The survey will only take a couple of minutes, so please get involved and join the conversation by taking part and giving us you views using the link attached >>> Join the conversation survey

Further details can be found at www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk

iCAN Warning: Scam email pretending to be a payment confirmation
An iCAN member has received the scam email below claiming to be a payment confirmation for their child’s school fees. The recipient knew that it was a scam because she doesn’t have any children at private school.
On this occasion the scammers have decided to say that the payment confirmation relates to school fees but scammers will use the same techniques claiming that the payment confirmation is about payments to other organisations. If you receive any email with a payment confirmation attached, read it very carefully and if you’re not sure it’s about a payment you’ve made, check your bank statement before opening the email.
Scammers will send thousands of emails at a time and they only need a relatively small number of people to respond to make it worth their while. The chances are that some people who receive this email will have a child at private school and may click on the link without reading the email properly. It’s likely that the link contains ransomware or spyware that will be downloaded to your computer to either freeze your computer (you’ll be asked to pay a ransom to have the malware removed) or steal your personal information.

To protect your computer and your personal information:

Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Most anti-virus software contains an ‘anti-spyware’ scan which may be able to detect key loggers. If your current software does not offer this function, consider installing software which does - both free and paid for anti-spyware is widely available.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that device as well.

Links to websites that look like Amazon.co.uk, but aren't Amazon.co.uk.
Attachments or prompts to install software on your computer.
Typos or grammatical errors.
Forged (or spoofed) e-mail addresses to make it look like the e-mail is coming from Amazon.co.uk.

Amazon will never ask for personal information to be supplied by e-mail.
You can read more about identifying suspicious emails claiming to be from Amazon by visiting https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201489210

To report a fraud or cyber crime, call us on 0300 123 2040.

iCAN Warning: Scam email pretending to be about your car tax
An iCAN member has received a scam email about her car tax renewal even though she doesn’t drive and has never owned a car!
If you receive the email below, delete it without opening and do not click on any links. The scammer hopes that you will click on the link without reading the email properly – it’s likely that the link contains ransomware or spyware that will be downloaded to your computer to either freeze your computer (you’ll be asked to pay a ransom to have the malware removed) or steal your personal information.

See the information in the red boxes which explains how we know that the email is a scam.

If you want to tax your car online use the official government website.

December Alerts

iCAN Warning: Halton Trading Standards warn of likely scams after the announcement of the Yahoo data breach

Yesterday Yahoo announced that more than one billion user accounts may have been affected in a hacking attack dating back to 2013 in which names, phone numbers, passwords and email addresses were stolen. Halton Trading Standards are warning that scammers are likely to turn this into an opportunity by sending fake Yahoo emails, or making phone calls pretending to be from Yahoo, in an attempt to get your personal information. Scammers will also pretend to be from your bank, saying that they take security seriously and asking you to click on links in an email or provide information over the phone so that you can change your password with them.

After Talk Talk announced their data breach in October last year the scammers swung into action. One Halton resident was caught out by a scam phone call from somebody pretending to be from Talk Talk, she gave personal information which allowed them to steal £1200 from her bank account. Unfortunately the bank would not refund her money because she had provided the scammers with her information even though she was tricked into giving that information. Halton residents were also targeted with scam emails pretending to be from banks who wanted to improve the account security for the customers following the Talk Talk breach.

Yahoo have said that they will be emailing customer but that the emails do not ask you to click on any links or contain attachments and do not request your personal information. If an email you received about these issues prompts you to click on any links, download an attachment, or asks you for information, the email was not sent by Yahoo and may be an attempt to steal your personal information. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from such suspicious emails.

Yahoo have advised that customers will receive a prompt in the desktop version of Yahoo Mail explaining that "Your account may have been affected by a security issue." This is a legitimate message from Yahoo and the link will bring you to the security issue FAQs page, where consumers can access a security notice for their region – a copy of the UK security notice is provided here via this link goo.gl/DEx7gw.

It’s important that consumers with Yahoo accounts review those accounts and make amendments to any passwords or security questions as soon as possible. This applies to consumers who may have dormant accounts to. Many people use the same or similar passwords to access devices and online accounts and the criminals can use the information stolen from Yahoo to access those accounts. This could eventually lead to those other accounts being compromised and other private information being obtained, which in turn could lead to identity fraud and a whole heap of other troubles for the consumer.

If you think your bank details have been compromised, you should immediately contact your bank.

To protect your computer and personal information:

Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Most anti-virus software contains an ‘anti-spyware’ scan which may be able to detect key loggers. If your current software does not offer this function, consider installing software which does - both free and paid for anti-spyware is widely available.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that device as well.

Don’t click on links or open any attachments you receive in unsolicited emails or SMS messages. Remember that fraudsters can ‘spoof’ an email address to make it look like one used by someone you trust. . If you are unsure, hover the mouse over the ‘From’ email address to see where the email has really been sent from.
Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Most anti-virus software contains an ‘anti-spyware’ scan which may be able to detect key loggers. If your current software does not offer this function, consider installing software which does - both free and paid for anti-spyware is widely available.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that device as well.

If you think your bank details have been compromised, you should immediately contact your bank.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Subject: Fake Bank Letters

This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)(
Message sent by
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Lloyds customers should be on the lookout for a new sophisticated fraud that involves fraudsters sending fake bank letters.

The convincing letters being sent are a replica template from Lloyds and include their logo, address and signature from a customer service representative.
The letter tells recipients that there have been some “unusual transactions” on their personal account and asks them to call a number highlighted in bold to confirm they are genuine.
When victims call the number, an automated welcome message is played and the caller is asked to enter their card number, account number and sort code followed by their date of birth.Victims are then instructed to enter the first and last digit of their security number.
The fraud was spotted by the Daily Telegraph who was alerted to it by a reader who had three identical letters sent to an office address. On separate occasions the Daily Telegraph ran some tests using fake details and were passed to fraudsters who claimed to be from a Lloyds contact centre. The bank has confirmed that the phone number and letters are fake.
The letters are essentially a sophisticated phishing attempt and serves as a warning to consumers to question written correspondence from their banks.

If you are ever suspicious about correspondence from your bank you should call the customer serviced number on the back of their card.
To report a fraud and cyber crime, call us on 0300 123 2040 or visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud

iCAN Warning: ‘Do Not Reply’ phishing scam
The City of London Police have issued a warning about fraudsters sending out a high number of phishing emails to personal and business email addresses pretending to come from ‘donotreply’ followed by the victims’ own email extension (for example donotreply@city-of-london.pnn.police.uk).
The subject line currently is shown as a series of random numbers and letters; ‘RNP0024D5D73B3A’ and ‘KMBT_C220’ have both been seen. The emails include an attachment – a .zip file, usually with the current date followed by random digits in the file name.
These attachments typically contain a password stealing component, with the aim of stealing your bank, PayPal or other financial details along with your email or FTP (web space) log in credentials. Many of them are also designed to specifically steal your Facebook and other social network log in details.
A very high proportion also contain Locky ransomware, that once downloaded will encrypt files and demand money (typically about £350) to recover the files.
Having up-to-date virus protection is essential; however it will not always prevent you from becoming infected.
Please consider the following actions:

Don’t click on links or open any attachments you receive in unsolicited emails or SMS messages. Remember that fraudsters can ‘spoof’ an email address to make it look like one used by someone you trust. If you are unsure, hover the mouse over the ‘From’ email address to see where the email has really been sent from.
Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that too.
Don't pay extortion demands as this only feeds into criminals' hands, and there is no guarantee that access to your files will be restored if you do pay.
If you think your bank details have been compromised, you should immediately contact your bank.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

iCAN Warning: Scam doorstep caller pretending to be from Scottish Power

An iCAN member received a visit last week from a man pretending to work for Scottish Power and claiming he was visiting to swap the electric card meter to a smart meter. The man was smartly dressed and had an electricity meter cupboard key and a clipboard with lots of paper, but he didn’t have any ID.

The Widnes resident refused the man access and rang Scottish Power who said the caller had nothing to do with them and that smart meters were not due in this area for years.

Scottish Power would not make a visit like this without writing to a customer first. Like other energy providers, Scottish Power operate a free Password Service, for any customer who’d like extra assurance about visitors to their home. This service allows you to choose a personal password that will only be given to representatives who need to visit you. You can change your password at any time. When their representative visits you, ask them for the password before you let them in.

If you are a Scottish Power customer and would like more information about the Password Service you can contact them free on 0800 027 0072.

Customers of other energy suppliers should contact them directly to see if they offer the free password service.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Cold calling scam company claiming to be approved by the Police

Cheshire Police have begun to receive reports from residents in the county who have received cold calls from a security company claiming to be approved by the Police and other emergency services. The caller is trying to sell burglar and fire alarms and to arrange an appointment for a sales rep to visit.

If you receive a cold call from anybody trying to sell you something don’t make a snap decision, agree to a visit or give the caller any of your details. Explain that on the advice of Trading Standards you need to make some checks first, ask them for their company name, address and phone number and tell them that you will call them back if you want to talk to them about what they are selling.

Bogus security companies will often falsely claim to be approved by the Police or other emergency services so if you’re thinking of dealing with a company who makes such claims, check if they’re true by contacting the Police on their non-emergency number 101 or Cheshire Fire Service on 01606 868700.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning for food allergy sufferers
The following foods are being recalled because of the presence of allergens which are not declared on the label. If you have an allergy to any of the undeclared ingredients you are advised to return the product to the store for a full refund.

ASDA Garlic & Herb Thin Cut Beef Sizzle Steaks

Pack size: 227g           Use by date: 5 December 2016
This product contains milk, making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.
For more information contact Asda Customer Relations on 0800 952 0101.

ASDA Main for 2 Vegetable Balti

Pack size 400g                   Use By date 7th December
This product contains milk, making it a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.

Dr. Oetker Regal Ice Ready Rolled Icing White

Pack size 450g                   Best Before date 8th August 2017
A small number of packs were mistakenly filled with ready rolled marzipan. These packs will therefore contain undeclared nuts (almonds), which is not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to nuts (almonds).

A Runcorn resident who uses the Lifeline personal alarm system received a call yesterday from somebody pretending to be from Lifeline. The caller said that the man’s monthly payment was due and he would be calling round to collect it from him. Fortunately the gentleman decided to check with Lifeline who told him that the call had nothing to do with them and that they don’t collect payment in this way.

If you receive a call like this it is a scam. Put the phone down and don’t open the door to anybody that you don’t recognise.

If you receive any calls offering to fix a problem that you didn’t know you had, or somebody claiming they are from your bank or an official organisation, don’t give the caller any details. Explain that on the advice of Trading Standards you need to check first that the call is genuine and then put the phone down. Wait for 5 minutes and then contact the company they claim to be from on the usual number you have for them, DO NOT USE any numbers that the caller has given you.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

November Alerts

iCAN Warning: Scam Call pretending to be from BT

A Halton resident was called at 8 o’clock this morning from someone claiming to be from BT. The caller asked the resident to sit at her laptop whilst they checked her computer because there are hackers in this area who were trying to access her computer. The resident explained that she was leaving for work and didn't have the time but the caller was very insistent saying that the resident had to do it and asking if she could ring back in half an hour. The resident said this wasn’t possible and the caller put the phone down.

This phone call is a scam. It is likely that the caller wanted access to the resident’s computer to either steel her personal information or to install ransomware and then demand payment to remove it.

If you are a BT customer and you are concerned that you may have problems with your service you can check your account online at www.bt.com/mybt >

If you receive any calls offering to fix a problem that you didn’t know you had, don’t give the caller any details. Explain that on the advice of Trading Standards you need to check first that the call is genuine and then put the phone down. Wait for 5 minutes and then contact the company they claim to be from on the usual number you have for them, DO NOT USE any numbers that the caller has given you.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: Phishing Scam targeting university students
Action Fraud are warning about a phishing scam that is targeting UK university students.

The scammers claim the student has been awarded an educational grant as part of a student support programme. The email purports to have come from the Finance Department of the student’s university. It tricks the recipient into clicking on a hyperlink contained in the message to provide personal details on a webpage.

Victims report that after submitting their sensitive information (including name, address, date of birth, bank account details, National Insurance Number and mother’s maiden name), they were taken to a spoofed website which appeared to be a genuine representative of their online bank, where they were directed to type in their online banking credentials.

This email should be deleted without opening and without clicking on any links.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Subject: Are you prepared for winter driving?
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary
Message sent by
Dan Hind (Police, Media, Chesh Engagement Unit)
As the cold nights start to draw in officers in Cheshire are reminding drivers to take extra care when driving in hazardous weather conditions.

Superintendent Martin Cleworth said: "It’s important that all drivers are aware that driving conditions may be more hazardous during the winter period. For example, road surfaces are more likely to be wet in the winter months, which can make them slippery and cause flying spray which is another hazard.

“There may also be patches of mist, fog and ice, all of which make driving more dangerous. To reduce these risks all drivers need to ensure there are aware of the current conditions and reduce their speed to allow for them."

“It’s also important that motorists ensure their vehicles are ready for the extra demands that will be placed on it over the winter period. I advise that all motorists take the following steps:

• Examine your tyres, they should be in good condition, have plenty of tread and be set at the correct pressures
• Check your oil levels
• Keep screen wash as full as possible and use correct additives
• Ensure your car windows and mirrors clean – keep a cloth handy
• Keep your vehicle fuel to a reasonable level with some spare capacity– remembering that journeys can take longer than usual
• Ensure that all screens and lights are clear of frost/snow prior to driving. (Be extra careful when defrosting the vehicle. Do not use boiling water)
• In severe conditions, question the need for the journey and avoid travelling wherever possible
• Carry a charged mobile phone, warm clothing, a torch, food and drink if you must make a journey in severe conditions. Let somebody know the details/times of your journey
• Listen to weather warnings on the radio prior to and during the journey

As well as taking extra care on the roads the force are also reminding motorists to ensure their vehicles are secure at all times.

Superintendent Cleworth added: "Opportunist thieves will see a cold spell of weather as a perfect opportunity to snatch a vehicle - especially if the driver has left the engine running and the car unattended whilst it’s defrosting.

"We are urging drivers across the county to remain security conscious and to take steps to reduce the chances of being targeted by thieves."

Further information about road safety and crime reduction can be found on the Cheshire Police website at www.cheshire.police.uk.

October Alerts

Theft Theft from Vehicle Between the hours of 12.15 - 12.50 on 7th October 2016 garden power tools have been stolen from the back of a silver Renault Traffic Van on Glastonbury Close, Sandymoor. The reporting person is a gardener in the area and the doors to the vehicle were left open whilst they were working. Taken was a Stihl blower in orange and Stihl hedgecutters in orange. If you have any information regarding this theft please call 101 reference incident 443 of 07/10/16. Rogue Traders Reports of people contacting elderly residents posing as medical centre staff and bank employees doing surveys in the Beechmore and Hollybank area of Moore. We have also received reports from the Sandymoor, Runcorn Road and Moss Lane in Moore, highlighting males in the location knocking at addresses claiming to be ex-offenders selling items. Don’t feel pressured into allowing anyone access to your address and look out for people taking advantage of your elderly neighbours. Traffic Chester Road, Preston Brook - reports of children throwing items off bridges on 01/10/16. Male in his late teens seen riding his pushbike with no lights, along Northwich Road, Dutton during darkness and HGV’s parking close to the junction on Whitehouse Industrial Estate whilst delivering goods in the area. Please report any incidents where there are items being thrown in to the carriageway, ensure you are riding your pushbike legally and can be seen, and think of other people when parking.

Police advise residents in Runcorn to be vigilant following a spate of hoax HMRC calls

Police in Runcorn are warning residents to be vigilant following a spate of hoax calls from people claiming to be from HMRC.

Over the course of 25 October 2016 police received 10 reports of people being called by someone purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The first part of the call is automated and the victim is asked to press one to speak to an advisor. The victim is then informed they are being investigated by HMRC and that someone is on their way to arrest them.

One of the victims was told to purchase £500 worth of iTunes vouchers and that someone would be around to collect the vouchers which would settle an outstanding debt.

None of the victims fell for the scam, but being told they were about to be arrested must have given them a shock. This is one of a variety of methods fraudsters are using while claiming to be from HMRC. Fraudsters are contacting victims via voicemails, spoofed calls and text messaging.

If you are contacted via these methods, please be aware that HMRC would never use texts to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty, or ever ask for payment via iTunes.

Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephone display. If you receive a suspicious call end it immediately.

Anyone who believes they have been contacted fraudulently or have been a victim of fraud should call Cheshire Police on 101 and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

For more information go to: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/alert-hmrc-and-itunes-gift-card-scam-may16

iCAN Warning: Bogus seller claiming to represent Shopmobility
An elderly Halton resident in the Sutton Park area of Runcorn was cold called last Thursday evening, by a male claiming to be from Shopmobility. The male was aggressive in his sales approach and the experience left the resident feeling intimidated. The male had a Millercare mobility aids brochure which he was using as a sales aid.
Shopmobility and Millercare Limited have confirmed the male is not associated with either organisation and that they do not cold call consumers in this manner.
Avoid being caught out by doorstep rogues by refusing to deal with people who cold-call you - remember you don’t have to deal with uninvited callers:

DON’T agree to buy on your doorstep, always get two or three other quotes before buying.
DON’T let a stranger into your home.
DON’T feel that you are being rude by keeping the door closed or by sending them away.
DON’T be scared to say ‘No Thank You’ and close the door.
DO keep the door chain on.
DO ask for ID if the trader tells you they are representing an organisation. Call the organisation if you’re not sure.
DO make a note of anything they say, business names, descriptions, and/or their vehicle registration number.
DO report any sellers to the Police if you have any concerns by calling 101.

Did you know you can get a free ‘No Cold Calling Card’ and ‘Letterbox Sticker’ from any Halton Direct Link – traders who call when these are displayed are committing an offence.
If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

iCAN Warning: Scam telephone calls about problems with your computer
A Halton resident has received a scam telephone call from somebody saying that they needed to speak urgently to her about her computer.
The resident had heard about the ‘Microsoft’ scam that has been around for years and so she wasn’t caught out by it.
Never assume a caller is genuine just because they seem to have some information about you.

iCAN Warning: Recall of Kopparberg Sparkling Rose Strawberry & Kopparberg Sparkling Rose Raspberry

The manufacturer is recalling all Kopparberg Sparkling Rose Strawberry & Kopparberg Sparkling Rose Raspberry (750 ml) with best before dates up to 6th April 2018.
Price: £5.00 Barcodes: 7393714527103 and 7393714527202

The manufacturer has found that in a very small number of cases, the bottles may break when in normal use.

If you have bought either of these Kopparberg products, please handle with care and dispose of the bottles in your household waste.

The drink itself is not affected, although it is recommended that you don’t open it.

If you would like any further information and to request a refund for your bottles, please call Asda customer relations on 0800 952 0101.

Consumers can also contact Kopparberg UK Consumer Relations at info@kopparberg.co.uk
If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

iCAN Warning: scam text messages claiming that you've won a Euro Mega Draw

Several Halton residents have reported receiving this text message:

Congratulations! Your mobile No. was selected as a winner of £2000,000.00 on Euro Mega Draw with draw number EU-090687. Email us for claim.

This message is a scam, do not email or reply to it.

Claiming that you have won a prize is a common technique used by scammers to hook you in whether they contact you by email, letter, phone or text.

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

iCAN Warning: Recall of Table Lamp with three tiered lights sold by TK Maxx and HomeSense
This lamp is being recalled by the retailer over concerns that it provides insufficient insulation protection causing a risk of electrocution.

The lights were on sale at TK Maxx & HomeSense stores from April 2016.
If you have bought this lamp, you are being advised to stop using it immediately, and return it to any TK Maxx or HomeSense store for a full refund.
For further enquiries please call Customer Service on 01923 473561 or email customerservice@tjxeurope.com

iCAN Warning: Scam British Gas emails containing Ransomware
The City of London Police has issued a warning that fraudster are sending fake British Gas utility bill emails that link to a virus that takes over victim’s computers.
Action Fraud has received hundreds of reports of these emails designed to look like a harmless utility bill. The emails contain links that take people to a website where they are told to download a file in order to view their bill. After downloading the files, the virus locks you out of your computer and then directs you to an online payment page.
British Gas say that their emails will always be personalised and will often quote your British Gas account number (where the email relates specifically to your account) and will only provide links back to the britishgas.co.uk website.
Having up-to-date virus protection will help to protect you from viruses.

Make sure your internet browser and any plug-ins (e.g. Flash, Java, Silverlight) are up-to-date
Don’t click on links or open attachments in emails unless you are sure you can trust the sender. Remember that fraudsters can ‘spoof’ an email address to make it look like one used by someone you trust. If you are unsure, hover your mouse over the sender’s address to reveal the sender’s actual email address rather than the email address displayed.
Please visit the British Gas website directly and log in from there to check utility bills.
Avoid logging into your email account from a public computer (e.g. at a hotel or internet cafe) as it could be infected with spyware. Don’t connect to unsecured public Wi-Fi, use mobile data services such as 4G to access your accounts instead.
Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It’s important that the device you back up to is not left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that too.
Don't pay extortion demands as this only feeds into criminals' hands, and there's no guarantee that access to your files will be restored if you do pay.

Whenever possible, pay for your holiday by credit card as it offers increased protection.
Always remember to look for the ‘https’ and locked padlock icon in the address bar before entering your payment details.
Never feel pressured to make a booking for fear that you will miss out on this ‘low price’ opportunity. If you have never used the company before, take your time to do some online research to ensure they are reputable.
Should you make a flight or hotel booking through a travel company, feel free to separately check with the hotel / particular airline that your booking does indeed exist.

If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

September Alerts

Subject: Phishing Email Alert
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
There is a phishing email currently in circulation that claims to be from the City of London Police. The departments that it claims to represent include the ‘Fraud Intelligence Unit’ and the ‘National Fraud Intelligence Bureau’. The email is titled ‘compensation fund’ and has a letter attachment that claims to be offering financial compensation to victims of fraud. The letter uses the City of London Police logo.

The letter states that in order for compensation to be arranged, the receiver of the email should reply disclosing personal information. It states that HSBC and the South African Reserve Bank have been chosen to handle the compensation claims. All of these claims are false.

The email and letter are fraudulent and should not be replied to.

Protect Yourself

Opening attachments or clicking links contained within emails from unknown sources could result in your device being infected with malware or a virus.
The City of London Police and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau will never email you asking for you to disclose personal information.
If you believe you have become a victim of this fraudulent email get your device checked by a professional and make a report to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk

iCAN Information: Glove Box Parking Guide

In recent years Trading Standards have received an increase in parking ticket complaints, issued in some cases by unscrupulous operators. If you’re unfortunate enough to find yourself with a parking ticket MoneySavingExpert.com have produced a useful cut out and keep guide. The guide provides information on checks you can make if you receive a parking ticket and advice on where not to park.

Neighbourhood Police Feedback
Sandymoor September 16.pdf

iCan Warning: Coca Cola Powerbanks

Powerbanks in the shape of "Coca Cola" cans, with 2200 Mah and 7200 Mah ratings have been recalled due to an unspecified safety issue. The models sold at Halfords and The Range stores are thought to be affected:

What should you do next?
If you have one of the model numbers listed above, then you should stop using it immediately and return it to your nearest Halfords / The Range store for a refund.

For any queries contact Halfords on:

0345 504 53 53 or customer.services@halfords.co.uk.

Or The Range on:

0345 026 7598 or help@therange.co.uk

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam please contact one of our specialist officers, Linda or Sue on 0151 511 8785 or 0151 511 8775, who are already working with people in Halton who have lost thousands of pounds to scams.

If you need advice on anything else please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline or 03454 04 05 06.

Subject: Rental Fraud in Student Accommodation
This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
Seasonal rental fraud is an emerging trend with students looking for suitable accommodation around August, before the start of the new term. Fraudsters use a variety of websites to advertise available properties to rent, often at attractive rates and convenient locations. Adverts will seem genuine, accompanied by a number of photos and contact information to discuss your interest.
Due to demand, students will often agree to pay upfront fees to secure the property quickly, without viewing the property, only to discover that the fraudster posing as the landlord does not have ownership of the property, or often there are already tenants living there.

Protect Yourself

Only use reputable letting companies.
Do some online research such as using Google maps to check the property does exist.
Make an appointment to view the property in person.
Always view the property prior to paying any advance fees.
Look out for warning signs, such as landlords requesting a ‘holding deposit’ due to the property being in high demand.
A landlord will usually conduct some due diligence on any successful applicant. Be wary of handing over cash without the landlord requesting employment or character references.

If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.