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Author: FVCA

Surge In Online Shopping Fraud

Reports of online shopping fraud have surged by 30% over the pandemic as many of us continue to shop online in light of current restrictions.

Figures from Action Fraud show that criminals conned 17,407 shoppers out of almost £13.5 million over the Christmas period last year, an increase of over 20% when compared to the same period in 2018.

Action Fraud is warning the public to take extra care when shopping online, ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as shoppers search for bargains and gifts for loved ones in the run up to Christmas.

Top tips to shop online securely this festive season:

Where to shop:
Making a purchase from an online store you haven’t used before? Carry out some research first, or ask a friend or family member if they’ve used the site and about their experiences before completing the purchase.

Your information:
Only create an account if necessary or to save you effort if you’re going to use that site a lot in the future. Be cautious if the website asks you for details that are not required for your purchase, such as your mother’s maiden name or the name of your primary school.

Payments:
If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, ensure that the webpage where you enter your payment details is secure (website address starts with “https”). Using a credit card to pay online also means that should the worst happen and your payment details are compromised, your main bank account won’t be directly affected.

Phishing:
Some of the messages you receive about amazing offers may contain links to fake websites. Not all links are bad, but if you’re unsure, don’t use the link – go separately to the website. Report any suspicious emails you receive by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk You can also report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726.

For more information about how to shop online securely, please visit: 
actionfraud.police.uk/shoponlinesafely

  • November 27, 2020 by

Have a Happy Christmas – Smoke Alarms Save Lives

It’s beginning to look a lot like the time of year when statistically accidental fires in the home are more likely to occur! As many of us are ‘going early’ with putting the decorations up check your smoke alarms are working properly, and ensure that everyone in the house knows how to escape in the event of an emergency!

Make a diary note to regularly check #TestItTuesday

  • November 26, 2020 by

Road Traffic Collision

This morning (24th November), the emergency services attended a road traffic collision, involving two vehicles, on Sandy Lane.

2 people received precautionary checks from paramedics, an appliance from Bromsgrove Fire Station was also in attendance.

  • November 24, 2020 by

Break-in at Brookfield Nursery

This morning (24th November), the owners of Brookfield Nursery on Quantry Lane found that they been broken into; items stolen include power tools, shop float and the Finn the Fabulous charity box.

  • November 24, 2020 by

Appeal To Motorist When Passing Horses

To provide safety to horse, rider and motorist, please follow these four simple steps when passing horse riders along our country roads;

  • Slow down to a max of 15mph,
  • Be patient & dont sound your horn or rev your engine,
  • Pass the horse wide and slow, (if safe to do so) at least a car’s width,
  • Drive slowly away
  • November 13, 2020 by

Full Fibre Update

Preparations continue to deliver Fibre To The Premises, across our community.

Contractors are preparing the underground ducts for the fibre optic cables that will connect telegraph poles to local junctions boxes, which are in turn connected to the telephone exchange.

Once cables are laid and connected to telegraph poles, residents & businesses will be contacted.  OpenReach have produced a video that explains the procedure of connecting telegraph poles to your property.

https://vimeo.com/384494767

  • November 13, 2020 by

Help Double Pepper Wood

The Woodland Trust is looking at an exciting opportunity to double the size of Pepper Wood, acquiring 120 acres of adjacent land, thereby achieve some 100 hectares of resilient continuous native woodland.

Pepper Wood is an ancient woodland site, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the aim of the Woodland Trust is to blend opportunities for natural regeneration/ colonisation with sympathetic tree planting, and this will create a significant locally distinctive and accessible landscape asset promoting nature recovery and climate resilience.

To deliver this vision, the Wood land Trust needs to raise £1.5 million to secure the extension of Pepper Wood. A national appeal has been launched, which members of the community may wish top donate to.

This is an exciting project that will have many benefits for our community.

For further information and to make a donation CLICK HERE

  • November 9, 2020 by

Take Five To Stop Fraud

Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment. Stop and think. It could protect you and your money. Read more  CLICK HERE

  • November 6, 2020 by

High Sheriff Awards Nominations are Open

Do you know an individual, community group or voluntary organisation that goes above and beyond to improve the lives of others in our county? Perhaps it’s a small group that doesn’t get any publicity or a person who deserves recognition for everything they do.

Winners will be celebrated in spring 2021 either in person or remotely!


Please submit nominations before the 15th January 2021.

https://www.highsheriffofworcestershire.org.uk/high-sheriff-awards

  • November 6, 2020 by

Scam Warning – Fake PayPal Emails

Action Fraud is warning people selling items online to be on the lookout for criminals sending fake PayPal emails.
 

  • Between January 2020 and September 2020, 21,349 crime reports were made to Action Fraud about fake PayPal emails.
  • Victims reported losing a total of £7,891,077.44 during this time.
  • Those targeted included people selling jewellery, furniture and electronics via online marketplaces.
  • Reports of fake PayPal emails to Action Fraud made up a third of all reports of online shopping and auction fraud during this period.


How does it happen?

Criminals have been targeting people selling items online, by sending them emails purporting to be from PayPal. The emails trick victims into believing they have received payment for the items they’re selling on the platform.

Typically, after receiving these emails, victims will ship the item to the criminal. This leaves them at a further disadvantage having not received any payment for the item and also no longer being in possession of it.


How can you protect yourself?

  • Sellers beware: If you’re selling items on an online marketplace, be aware of the warning signs that your buyer is a scammer. Scammers may have negative feedback history, or may have recently set up a new account to avoid getting poor feedback. Don’t be persuaded into sending anything until you can verify you’ve received the payment.
  • Scam messages: Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details.
  • How to spot the difference: A PayPal email will address you by your first and last name, or your business name, and will never ask you for your full password, bank account, or credit card details in a message.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

  • November 6, 2020 by