Category: Policing

Dear Watch Member,

A huge increase in cyber-fraud across the world means that we all need to learn how to spot and avoid different types of fraud and cybercrime.

An emerging tactic used by fraudsters is the ‘spoofing’ (cloning) of telephone numbers. A decade ago, anyone receiving a suspicious call could look up the number that was calling them to check its legitimacy. No longer is this sufficient advice.

Fraudsters can now clone numbers used by legitimate organisations, your local bank, HMRC, or even a local police station, to make it look like that organisation’s genuine number is calling you. The fraudster claims to be from that organisation and tries to convince you to do what they say. This means you cannot rely on your Caller ID display to tell you who is calling you.

Protect yourself:

Beware of unexpected phone callers, whomever they claim to be. If in doubt, never divulge personal details over the phone to someone who has called you. The more you say to a fraudster, the more information they gain about you. Don’t be afraid to hang up. Contact friends or family for advice.

Don’t trust your caller ID display. To verify a call, contact the genuine organisation using a number that you have independently researched. Before doing so, ensure the call has ended and the line has cleared, wait five minutes (Some scammers can simulate the sounds of lines clearing to dupe you into dialling while the line is still live), or make the call via a separate phone line where possible.

Institutions such as HMRC, police and banks will never call you to tell you that you / your money is under investigation; nor would they ever ask you to transfer or hand-over money / assets for such a purpose.

Report all scams online to www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040, giving as much information as possible.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

A Pinner resident has kindly informed me of a scam phone call he received today.

The automated voice message states that your Apple iPhone, worth £1300, will be delivered tomorrow.

If this is okay, you do not need to do anything. If not okay, you are asked to press 1.

Please do NOT press 1; just put the phone down.

It is not known what might happen if you do press 1, but it would likely result in some financial loss.

When I dialled the phone number that placed the call, I received the, “Your call could not be completed as dialled” message.

For fraud and scam prevention advice please click here.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

Below is a list and dates of upcoming webinars you may be interested in participating in: 

Eid al-Fitr 

In celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the Metropolitan Police Service (MET) are hosting virtual Meet the Met events to engage with the Muslim community. Join us to hear from officers who are part of the Muslim Police Staff Association and will discuss and share their journey followed by a Q&A session. 

Thursday 13^th May – 11am – 12pm

Friday 14^th May – 11am – 12pm 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eid-al-fitr-recruitment-webinar-metropolitan-police-tickets-114505109866

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8721 2775

Dear Watch Member,

Catalytic converter theft is part of a national crimewave currently sweeping the country. Although some arrests were recently made – as detailed in this link (https://news.met.police.uk/news/police-operation-to-stop-thefts-of-catalytic-converters-423914) – offenders are still targeting parked cars in the street and it is hard to pinpoint where they will strike. We do know that some preferred model of vehicles targeted are Honda, Toyota and Lexus.

Why is there a sudden increase in this type of theft? Metal theft has been an issue in the past and the introduction of scrap metal licenses in 2013 did appear to significantly reduce crime. The value of precious metals contained inside a catalytic converter has risen dramatically. It is suspected that stolen catalytic converters are being sold on the black market.

The actual thefts can take as little as two minutes to execute, quite often involving someone with a hydraulic trolley jack. If you are not sure what these look like they are what the mechanics use in the pit lanes of a grand prix race to raise the car. The offender will then climb underneath the car to use a cordless electric saw or angle grinder to cut through the exhaust to retrieve the catalytic converter, which is why some residents have reported hearing a loud noise or drilling. Anyone seen jacking up a car in the street like this should be reported to police straight away.

An anti-theft stainless steel plate can be fitted to the underneath of your car to protect the catalytic converter. It is worth contacting your dealer for a quote. We can recommend CATLOC from ‘Secured by Design’ which is an official police security initiative. Please click on the below link for further information.

https://www.securedbydesign.com/member-companies/accredited-product-search?view&

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

 

Dear Watch Member,

Trading Standards have issued a warning, after receiving reports from victims who claim to have been contacted by someone purporting to be from the authority, and acting on behalf of the Office of National Statistics.

The caller suggested that the individual’s Census form was completed incorrectly, and they had to pay a fine. The caller asked for basic identification details, which they said was to confirm the Census record, and the individual’s bank details, so they could process the fine.

The Office of National Statistics are aware of similar scams in other parts of the country where money has been taken from an individual’s bank account. The Office of National Statistics have warned that they would never ask for this type of personal information.

You will only be contacted about the Census by letter – never by text or phone.

When filling in the Census you will be asked for personal information such as your date of birth, your occupation and where you live. You will never be asked to provide your national insurance number or financial details.

If you wish to report attempted scams go to www.actionfraud.police.uk 

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

We periodically receive reports of trap devices being found attached to ATMs in Pinner, so it’s always important to remain vigilant when using ATMs here or anywhere else.

ATM cash trapping is a prominent method used by cyber criminals to attack an ATM.

The criminals physically insert a device inside the ATM which traps cash that is allotted by the cash dispenser to the customers.

A fake ATM cash dispenser is placed in the front of the real cash dispenser to trap the money. The money is dispensed from the machine, but the customer doesn’t see it. It is placed in the machine for around an hour before being removed by the offender, full of cash.

The image below is an example picture of the device on the cash dispenser.

Advice would be that should anyone see this device on an ATM, to not use the machine, inform the bank and ring the Police on the non-emergency 101 number.

An image has been included below to accompany this message. If you can’t see it you may need to select “display images”. Alternatively check if it’s a separate attachment.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8721 2775

 

Dear Watch Member,

Please be aware that pickpockets and opportunist thieves are operating in local supermarkets.

Victims have reported having their handbag or its contents stolen from an unattended shopping trolley. In some cases a wallet / purse or mobile phone has been taken from the outer pocket of a coat, handbag or backpack.

• Please be aware of who is around you;
• Never leave your handbag unattended, even for a moment;
• Never carry large quantities of cash;
• Keep house keys and anything with your address on separate from each other.

Please click here for more theft from person prevention advice.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 020 8721 2775

 

Dear Watch Member,

Please be aware of the below telephone scam currently in circulation:

“This is the National Crime Agency. We need to let you know your National Insurance number is being used for a number of frauds and we will be blocking it. You need to speak to an officer from the National Crime Agency now by pushing one (1) on your key pad.”

Please report anything suspicious to Action Fraud on the link below.

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

Please read the attached document warning about COVID-19 vaccine scam emails currently in circulation.

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.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Scam Emails (193 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]