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Author: FVCA

Reporting scams

Anyone can become a scam victim. If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of scams find out how to report it here.

  • July 14, 2021 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.
STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
Click here to find out more about how to protect against doorstep, mail, online, pension and investment, phone, or romance scams.
  • July 14, 2021 by

Watch Out for Rogue Traders

Rogue Traders have recently been cold-calling across Worcestershire offering to tarmac driveways. Residents are warned NOT to buy on the doorstep and to report suspicious callers to Trading Standards (Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or the Police on 101).

  • July 13, 2021 by

Caravans and Motorhomes: Crime Prevention Advice

West Mercia Police have seen an increase in the reports of thefts/attempted thefts of and from caravans and motorhomes over the last few months. If you are a caravan or motorhome owner, here are a few tips which may help in protecting your property:  

When your caravan/motorhome is not in use:
·  Remove all your personal belongings and contents. Leave cupboard doors and curtains open, this may help to deter opportunist thieves if they can see it’s empty.
·  Store your caravan securely. If you are choosing a storage site, don’t just look at the price. Check to see that it offers good security measures.
·  If you are leaving your caravan/motorhome at home, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your caravan/motorhome as well as your home. Consider fixing good security posts on your drive to prevent your caravan/motorhome being stolen.

Store your caravan/motorhome securely
·  Choose a site operated by the Caravan Storage site Owners Association (CaSSOA)
·  Check to see if it offers good security measures for example secure posts to which your caravan can be hitch-locked, ground anchors, security staff or CCTV.
·  Remember if you can enter the storage area and remove your caravan without being approached, then so can a thief.

Devices for securing your caravan/motorhome
·  Installing a reliable alarm system (GSM) and tracking device.
·  Locking the coupling head into a cover using a good quality hitch lock.
·  Using locking wheel nuts and a good quality clamp on the caravan wheels.
·  Chaining your caravan to a robust and secure point. Use a heavy duty chain that is made out of hardened steel to reduce the chance of it being cut through.

Protect your belongings
·  Ensure you close and lock your doors, windows and roof lights when you leave your caravan.
·  Don’t leave anything valuable on display, laptops etc.
·  Consider security marking any valuables and make sure you have the serial numbers for any items.
·  Never leave Caravan Registration and identification documents (CRis) or V5 documentation in your vehicle.

Buying 
·  Check that the chassis number hasn’t been removed or altered / Check the vehicle registration matches the type of vehicle its on.
·  Before buying privately, consider checking the caravans history on CRiS.
·  Check all the keys are available and correct.
·  Check the number plate is the same as the one on the tow vehicle. Be wary if temporary or handwritten number plates are used.
·  Always ask about built in security features such as an alarm or tracking device, caravan safe, hitch-lock or wheel clamps.

Caravan facts
Caravans manufactured since 1992 by the National Caravan Council members are recorded on the CRiS database by their unique 17 digital Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) The 17 digit vehicle identification document (VIN) should be stamped onto the caravan chassis and etched on the windows. Even if you own a pre-1992 caravan, or imported your own caravan into the UK, you can still register it with CRiS yourself. All caravans manufactures since August 1997 are electronically tagged for added security.  
  • July 13, 2021 by

Hollie Guard

Hollie Guard is a free personal safety app that can be downloaded onto any iOS or Android device.

With Hollie Guard, if ever you feel threatened, you can send out an alert by either shaking your phone or pressing the icon button. Once you activate an alert, your location along with video and audio evidence is automatically sent to your emergency contacts via SMS and/or email. Your emergency contacts can then take action to help you quickly. 

There are multiple features which can be used:

  • Journey Feature – This ensures safe travel by providing real-time updates as users move between two places.
  • Meeting Feature – Meetings allow users to identify when they are going to a meeting with a risk factor. A timer can be set, and an alert is automatically created.
  • Man Down – For users in situations where injury or personal immobilisation is a possibility by flagging sudden deceleration, non-movement & impact.
  • Reports – Reports allow users to record and geotang incidents within the app. All reports will get saved to the users account, not on the device. 

As well as all the features of Hollie Guard, you can now choose to upgrade your service to Hollie Guard Extra, a brand-new service through which an alert response centre will monitor any alerts you trigger. 

Useful Links:

Website: https://hollieguard.com/

Email:  info@hollieguard.com

iPhone Download: http://tiny.cc/u9pioz

Android Download: http://tiny.cc/l8pioz

Twitter: @hollie_guard

Instagram: hollieguard

  • July 9, 2021 by

Fly Tipping Incident Fairfield Court

Somebody has fly tipped in lay-by/access road by Farcroft/Fairfield Court. Did you see anything/suspicious activity? Do report to Bromsgrove District Council, tel. 01527 881188.

  • July 7, 2021 by

DPD Scam Alert

We have received a report of a scam text message claiming to be from DPD.
The message states you have missed a delivery and asks you to follow a link to book a redelivery.
Don’t follow the link, they are after your details.
  • July 6, 2021 by

Nominated Neighbour Scheme

Nominated Neighbour scheme is designed to deter cold callers and rogue traders and can help neighbours work together to give cold callers the cold shoulder.

A bright yellow Nominated Neighbour sticker, prominently displayed shows potential callers that their identity will be checked by a trusted neighbour and they will only been seen if accompanied by a known and trusted person. 

All it takes is a neighbour, family friend or family member to agree to be nominated and any callers will be directed to them for their identity to be verified.

The scheme makes it clear to any callers that their identity will be checked, deterring those callers who are not genuine.

The nominated neighbour scheme is funded by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner to help reduce doorstep crime. It is free and delivered to homes by the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership represented by Council Community Safety officers or your local police officers.

In addition to the Nominated Neighbour window sticker, a pack containing useful information on keeping safe is also provided as part of the scheme.

Further information and details of how to join the scheme can be made by  contacting Community Safety at Bromsgrove District Council by calling on 01527 534187 or email at community safety@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

  • July 6, 2021 by