Yet Another Fake Courier Scam

This was forwarded by a member of the Petts Wood & Knoll Safer Neighbourhood team :

Wednesday a week ago, I  had a phone call from someone saying that he was from some outfit called: "Express Couriers,"(The name could be any courier company) He asked if I was going to be home because there was a package for me that required a signature.

The caller said that the delivery would arrive at my home in roughly an hour. Sure enough, about an hour later, a uniformed delivery man turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and a bottle of wine. I was very surprised since there was no special occasion or holiday, and I certainly didn't expect anything like it. Intrigued, I inquired as to who the sender was.

The courier replied, "I don't know, I'm only delivering the package." Apparently, a card was being sent separately... (the card has never arrived!) There was also a consignment note with the gift.

He then went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol, there was a £3.50 "delivery/ verification charge," providing proof that he had actually delivered the package to an adult (of legal drinking age), and not just left it on the doorstep where it could be stolen or taken by anyone, especially a minor.

This sounded logical and I offered to pay him cash. He then said that the delivery company required payment to be by credit or debit card only, so that everything is properly accounted for, and this would help in keeping a legal record of the transaction. He added couriers don't carry cash to avoid loss or likely targets for robbery.

My husband, who by this time was standing beside me, pulled out his credit card, and 'John,' the "delivery man," asked him to swipe the card on a small mobile card machine with a small screen and keypad. My husband, was asked to enter his PIN number and a receipt was printed out. He was given a copy of the transaction. He guy said everything was in order, and wished us good day.

To our horrible surprise, between Thursday and the following Monday, £4,000 had been charged/withdrawn from our credit/debit account at various ATM machines. The "mobile credit card machine" which the deliveryman carried now had all the info necessary to create a "dummy" card with all our card details including the PIN number.

Upon finding out about the illegal transactions on our card, we immediately notified the bank which issued us a new card, and our credit/debit account was closed. We also personally went to the Police, where it was confirmed that it is definitely a scam because several households had been similarly hit.

WARNING: Be wary of accepting any "surprise gift or package," which you neither expected nor personally ordered, especially if it involves any kind of payment as a condition of receiving the gift or package. Also, never accept anything if you do not personally know or there is no proper identification of who the sender is. Above all, the only time you should give out any personal credit/debit card information is when you yourself initiated the purchase or transaction!"

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

Elderly Targeted by Fake Police Officers

This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

There has been a recent series of incidents whereby fraudsters either phone or attend the home address of elderly members of the public, claiming to be police officers.
The fake officer/s will claim that they are investigating a fraud which they believe the elderly person to be a victim of. The fake officer/s will then request the bank cards and personal identification numbers (PIN) of the victim and claim these are needed for investigation purposes. If the first contact was made by a phone call, the fake officer/s will tell the victim that someone will be over to collect the evidence. In one case the victim was instructed to attend their local bank and withdraw all of the money from their account. The suspect was left alone in the victim’s house whilst the victim carried out the instructions.
 Protect Yourself

• Before letting anyone into your home who claims to be from any law enforcement agency, ask to see their identity card and check it by calling 101.
• Ask if they can attend at a pre-arranged time when a family member or friend can also be present.
• If you receive a phone call from a police officer,  ask for their name and force and tell them you will call them back. Wait a few minutes and then use 101 to call them back through their force’s switchboard and verify their identity.
• The Police will never ask for your PIN or passwords. Do not give this information to anyone.
• The Police will never request that you withdraw/transfer any money to them.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

Waste Collection Calendar Dec 2015 to May2016

The waste collection calendar can be viewed by clicking on the link in the Pages window on the right hand side. With luck Bromley will deliver the paper version to all houses soon.

Burnt Ash Library Christmas Coffee Morning

Plaistow and Sundridge SNT Newsletter

Burglary

Burglary figures for the month of November , there has been 10 reported burglaries in Pike Close, Sudbury Crescent, College Road, (3) Plaistow Lane, Southover, Leamington Avenue, Avondale Road and Widmore Road  there has been 1 attempted residential and no Shed/Garage burglaries reported.

Always keep your shed and garage locked and tidy away your garden tools as burglars use then to break in through patio doors and windows. Please visit www.metbumblebee.org for more information

Vehicle Crime

In November there was 3 theft of motor vehicle and 3 thefts from motor vehicle. Vehicle crime continues to be one of our top priorities and various operations continued in November across the Borough.

Tips, Shut Windows, Lock Doors - Don’t Leave anything on display - Never Leave the keys in the ignition - Always Keep keys in a safe place - Visit www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk

Useful links www.soldsecure.com , www.thatcham.org , www.immobilise.com

Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner the season of good will - not by all, unfortunately some see it as an opportunity to get free televisions, lap tops, iphones, games consoles and jewelry amongst other things. Not by going to Bromley’s Intu or Bluewater shopping centre, no need to do that there’s plenty of stock in cars and houses on the ward at this time of year and they all come with free wrapping!!

Please be vigilant don’t leave Presents on display for all to see either in your car or around Christmas tree’s. If you leave your cars unattended take your goods out or if you can’t, lock them in the boot of your car until you get home.

10 top tips for securing your home

1)  Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name

2) Register items with a serial number at: www.immobilise.com

3)  Do not leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, letterbox or windows

4) Always check who’s at the door and don’t open if you feel anxious

5) Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.

6) Keep your valuables out of sight

7) leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home

8)  Install a visible burglar alarm

9) Always keep sheds and outbuildings locked

10) Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

In November we did have the usual fireworks related anti-social behaviour but nothing to serious. We have had no other reported Anti-social behaviour on the ward however if you have experienced any please let us know or if you prefer via www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call on 0800555 111 all calls are treated anonymously.

SCAMS

Scams are happening all the time if you want to stay on top of the latest scams visit WWW.met.police.uk/fraudalert which contains current information on different scams targeting consumers. It also provides you with tips on guarding yourself against scams, new scams stories, scam alerts and advice on reporting scams.

I will continue to send out alerts when I receive them

Other News

While on patrol on Sunday 22 November 2105 officers from the team notice a male sitting on a motor scooter on the drive of an address, the male is know to the team. It was noted that the males registration plate was attached to another bike on the drive, officers stopped and conducted checks on the bike. The checks came back that the bike was stolen and as a result a section 32 search of the address was made, although no reference to the bike was found a large amount of cannabis was discovered resulting in 3 arrested for drug and handling stolen goods offences.

Further checks were made by the team and as a direct result a mis-use of drugs warrant was executed on second address on the ward, a male on this occasion was arrested for suspicion of theft of motor vehicle and drug related offences.

On Monday 23 November 2015 Officers from the team were on routine patrol on the ward and discovered a young female living in an abandoned caravan in a car park, the caravan was cold and damp with mould growing on the wall. Clearly the female was extremely vulnerable and in conversation she told officers she was around 3 months pregnant. After she was checked over by paramedics it was decided that she would be taken to Lewisham Hospital for further checks.

The female had been reported missing and in now in the care of Lewisham hospital and social services.

The team wish you all a happy Christmas and a crime free New Year 

Community Meeting

The next Police drop in surgery will be held at the Lavender Cafe, Plaistow Lane on Friday 18th December 2015 at 15:00 - 16:00 hours.

Please come and visit us if you have any concerns you have about the area you live in we’re there to talk to you not just to drink coffee.

www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods

Contact Details

In an Emergency always ring 999

Non-emergency ring 101

www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention for crime prevention advice

E-mail Plaistow.sundridge.snt.@met.police.uk

Council must save another £50 million

Bromley Council Leader Councillor Stephen Carr is asking residents to take part in an online survey.

With £50 million to save over the next four years in addition to the substantial savings of £60 million the council had to make in the past few years, Councillor Carr said: “Your views have helped us make difficult choices over the past years and as your elected councillors it is vital that again we hear from you as we shape the future of our council.”

In an open letter to residents, Councillor Carr explained: “As we make decisions for 2016-17 and beyond, we want to know what you think about how we continue to deliver our Building a Better Bromley priorities against a background of reduced resources.  Reduced resources that we must direct towards those in genuine need, especially as demands on services for the elderly, our looked after children and those with special needs continue to grow.  We must also ensure we fulfil our statutory responsibilities.”

As well as the online survey, there will be an open public meeting which residents are invited to attend as follows:

Daytime meeting: 

11am -12.30pm, Thursday, 26 November – Bromley Civic Centre BR1 3UH

The online survey closes on December 6 and can be found at www.bromley.gov.uk/budgetviews where residents can also find background material such as the Leader’s letter and financial information.  

Other ways residents can give their views is talking to representatives of their residents’ association who have been invited to attend a round-table discussion; emailing the Leader of the Council at leader@bromley.gov.ukand talking to their ward Councillor.

Burnt Ash Drama Association presents Cinderella in December

Burnt Ash Drama Association presents Cinderella from Wednesday 9th December till 12th December at St Andrew's Hall

More details on http://www.burntashdrama.co.uk/