Author: FVCA

PC’s Bolton & Trowman from the We Don’t Buy Crime team highlight cycle security and how quick and easy it is to take your bike.

Mark your bicycle with SmartWater (Free kits available to properties in Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge – email admin@fvca.org.uk) and use a secure, sturdy lock.

More and more people are moving over to online and phone banking due to the current pandemic. Criminals have become wise to this and are sending out thousands of scam text messages every month to extract important personal information designed to access their potential victim’s finances.

To spot these fraudulent text messages, take a good look at them. Most are designed to instil a sense of panic (‘request was created from an unrecognised device’). After the sense of panic, the text message gives you way to solve the problem (‘Cancel this request via:’). The solution will lead you to a fake website, which looks a lot like your bank’s website, and instruct you to enter your details. Once this is done, they can now access your bank account.

You can report these text messages to your network provider by forwarding them to 7726. If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Criminals can be articulate and financially knowledgeable, with credible websites, testimonials and materials that are hard to distinguish from the real thing. They design attractive offers to persuade you to transfer your pension pot to them or to release funds from it. It is then invested in unusual and high-risk investments like overseas property, renewable energy bonds, forestry, storage units, or simply stolen outright.

If you suspect a scam, report it.

• Report to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) at www.fca.org.uk or by calling 0800 111 6768
• Report to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
• If you’re in the middle of a transfer, contact your provider immediately the get in touch with the Pensions Advisory Service at www.thepensionadvisoryservice.org.uk

Due to coronavirus, more people will be doing their festive shopping online this year.

This means more opportunities for hackers to carry out cyber attacks. They often do this by targeting people and businesses using:

* email and website scams
* malware – software that can damage your device or let a hacker in
* If hackers get into your device or accounts, they could access your money, your personal information, or information about your business.

You can improve your cyber security by taking six actions:

1 – Use a strong and separate password for your email

If a hacker gets into your email, they could:

* reset your other account passwords
* access information you have saved about yourself or your business
* Your email password should be strong and different to all your other passwords. This will make it harder to crack or guess.

2 – Create strong passwords using 3 random words

When you use different passwords for your important accounts, it can be hard to remember them all.

A good way to create strong, memorable passwords is by using 3 random words.

Do not use words that can be guessed (like your pet’s name). You can include numbers and symbols if you need to. For example, “RedPantsTree4!”

3 – Save your passwords in your browser

Saving your password in your browser means letting your web browser (such as Chrome, Safari or Edge) remember your password for you.

This can help:
* make sure you do not lose or forget your passwords
* protect you against some cyber crime, such as fake websites

It is safer than using weak passwords, or using the same password in more than one place.

4 – Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) helps to stop hackers from getting into your accounts, even if they have your password. 

5 – Update your devices

Out-of-date software, apps, and operating systems contain weaknesses. This makes them easier to hack.

Companies fix the weaknesses by releasing updates. When you update your devices and software, this helps to keep hackers out.

6 – Back up your data

Backing up means creating a copy of your information and saving it to another device or to cloud storage (online).

Backing up regularly means you will always have a recent version of your information saved. This will help you recover quicker if your data is lost or stolen.

For more information, and step-by-step instructions, please visit cyberaware.gov.uk

PCC John Campion is inviting Worcestershire residents to raise their concerns and learn how they can protect themselves from crime.

At a time where traditional public engagement isn’t possible, the PCC is bringing the town hall to Zoom. During the online session, which is taking place on Wednesday 9^th December from 6-7pm, the PCC will be joined by the West Mercia Police We Don’t Buy Crime team, the Rural and Business Officer for Worcestershire and a representative from the Road Safety team.

A key part of the Commissioner’s commitment to the communities of Worcestershire is to ensure their voices are heard and they have the opportunity to highlight issues that matter to them most. He also wants to make sure that communities have the opportunity to receive valuable crime prevention advice so they can keep themselves safe.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “As Commissioner, part of my commitment is to engage with the communities of Worcestershire and sadly, due to these extraordinary times, many events I would usually be attending have been cancelled. Yet thanks to the wonders of modern technology we are able to do things a little differently.

“Whilst virtual sessions are no substitute for face to face events, they are a great and safe alternative that allow communities to get involved and ask the questions that matter to them most. I enjoy hearing directly from residents, and I would encourage as many people as possible to join me and my panel.”

You can sign up to the event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/worcestershire-what-matters-to-you-tickets-131173721131

Your elderly neighbours are vulnerable and can easily become a victim of a scam, please help them by making them aware of the different types of scams and what they should do if they receive a scam call, letter or visit.

Recently the Community Association has been contacted by several older residents regarding scam telephone calls, which they have found frightening as the automated message is threatening legal action.

The Community Association have acquired some literature that you can give to or post through the letter boxes of elderly neighbours.  The booklet, “Scamwise”, which has been produced by Independent Age, explains in simple language how to spot a scam, how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud and action to be taken if you think you have been scammed.  The booklet can be picked up from Fairfield Cafe.

Be Winter Wise
When delivering the “Scamwise” booklet to your neighbours, please also drop off a copy of the booklet “Winter Wise”, useful tips that help the elderly look after themselves during winter months.