Beware of Cold Callers
Dear Watch Member,
We have received reports of cold callers offering to jet wash driveways in the Pinner area, so this seems like an apt opportunity to remind residents how to protect themselves from fraudsters.
Fraudsters convince you to pay for goods or work which is often overpriced, of poor quality or is not even carried out. In many cases, this work isn’t even necessary. They may use intimidation and pressure you to make quick decisions so that you agree to their demands.
As a rule, never accept offers of work from cold callers. Legitimate labourers and companies do not cold call and should have professionally printed leaflets with contact details to give to potential customers.
For advice on how to protect yourself from door-to-door scammers, please read pages 25 and 26 of the attached ‘Little Book of Big Scams’, which also includes advice about numerous other scams to be aware of.
Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.
If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]
Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
[email protected]
Restricted Access to the Pinn Medical Centre
UPDATE – They have switched the road closure round this evening (8 Aug). Access is from Avenue Road.
Your guess is as good as mine to which direction the access will be from tomorrow!
Access to the Pinn Medical Centre and Love Lane Car Park is via Bridge Street. This is until Wednesday 14 August. Emergency Gas works are being undertaken.
Ticket Fraud – Take Five Guidance
Dear Watch Member,
Looking for tickets?
Criminals create fake posts or pages on social media and search engines to scam people looking for tickets or travel deals.
Follow #TakeFive’s top tips to avoid ticket fraud:
– Read online reviews from reputable sources to check websites are genuine.
– Only use the secure payment method recommended by reputable online retailers – avoid paying by bank transfer.
– If possible, use a credit card when making purchases over £100 as you may get extra protection.
Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
For more information on Ticket Fraud please visit: https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/ticket-fraud/
If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]
Regards,
Peter Holley
Police Manager
Walk, Talk & Do Events
Concert In the Park 4 August
We are delighted to have Simply Gray returning to play in the Pinner Memorial Park on 4 August at 2:30pm.
They are your classic rock, jump jive and do wop band. (Get your dancing shoes on!)
Bring a chair and picnic.
There will be a bucket collection to help off set the cost of the concerts.
Please park in Chapel Lane Car Park
See you there.
Pinnora Mews – Update
This week we met with with the leader of the council, Cllr Paul Osbourn and asked for an update about Pinnora Mews.
We have been informed of the following.
- The rectification works have been specified.
- The Budget has been approved for the work needing to be done
- They are currently going out to tender to get contractors on site to fix the issue.
Green Flag Award Ceremony – Pinner Memorial Park
On Friday, The Pinner memorial Park’s new Green flag was raised. Tracey who is a key member of the Green Team for the Park was able to attend with members of The Pinner Association’s Committee.
Cllr June Baxter and Cllr Jean Lammiman also attended.
Congratulations and thank to the Green Team for all of their hard work and the volunteers who are transforming the Peace Gardens
Concert In the Park 28 July
It’s that time of year, the wait is over.
!
Our first Concert in the Park takes place. This is the 22nd season that The Pinner Association have put on this community event.
We are delighted to have Harrow Steel returning to play in the Pinner Memorial Park on 28 July at 2:30pm. Hopefully the music will make you think of warmer climates!
Bring a chair and picnic.
There will be a bucket collection to help off set the cost of the concerts.
See you there
QR Code Safety
This has come from the MP of Harrow East.
Experts have revealed a rise in scams of QR code since self-ordering in restaurant became the norm during the pandemic.
People may think they are ordering a round of drinks/food but could actually be giving away their debit card information to fraudsters.
According to NordVPN around 77% of Brits use QR codes – but 72% do not check before scanning them. The security giant reported that over 3 million people have been directed to untrustworthy websites after using the QR code.
Worryingly, 1 in 6 (16%) fell prey to fraudsters and had their data stolen.
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe from scams:
- When you do scan a QR code, take a good look at the website it led you to being particularly vigilant for any suspicious information.
- Use a secure scanner app which is designed to spot malicious links before your phone opens them. It is recommended to stick to the well-known security companies. Malicious QR scanning apps designed to scrape user information have made it into the app stores in the past.
- Use a password manager. As with all kinds of phishing, if a QR code takes you to an especially convincing fake website, use a password manager, however this is also not a fault proof system.