From: "John Reynolds" To: "Lolworth Parish Council" ; "Irish Nick-Dry Drayton" ; "Girton Website" ; "Girton Parish News" ; "Girton Parish Council" ; "Dry Drayton Website" ; "Dry Drayton News" ; "Binnie Harvey-Boxworth" ; "Bar Hill website" ; "Bar Hill News" ; "Bar Hill Parish Council" Subject: Police UPDATES 28/9/07 Date: 29 September 2007 09:17 Don't get trapped :- SCAMS How can you protect yourself against scams? Ask yourself a few questions before you hand over any money - and ask questions of the trader, too.Use your common sense - if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid spam scams These tips can help you avoid spam scams: * Protect your personal information. Share credit card or other personal information only when you're buying from a company you know and trust. * Know who you're dealing with. Don't do business with any company that won't provide its name, street address, and telephone number. * Take your time. Resist any urge to 'act now' despite the offer and the terms. Once you turn over your money, you may never get it back. * Read the small print. Get all promises in writing and review them carefully before you make a payment or sign a contract. * Never pay for a 'free' gift. Disregard any offer that asks you to pay for a gift or prize. If it's free or a gift, you shouldn't have to pay for it - free means free. In all situations, the old maxim applies: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Beat the burglar Make your home more secure MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE BURGLAR Most burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves. In four out of ten burglaries they don't even have to use force - they get in through an open door or window. Look at your home through the burglar's eyes - are there places where they could break in unseen? Have you fitted strong locks on your doors and windows? Would they have to make a lot of noise by breaking glass? Reduce the risk of burglary happening to you by making sure you've taken these simple precautions. For a relatively small outlay you could make your home more secure and buy peace of mind into the bargain. Before retiring for the night carry out a check of your property as it could be to late the next day. Top five tips - for you and your family These top five tips for you and your family may seem like common sense, but these extra precautions cost nothing. 1. Your mobile phone - write down the identification number of your mobile. Type in *#06# and note down the number. 2. Your personal possessions - minimise the amount of possessions you take out with you. Consider what you need and what you don't need 3. Cash machines - run your finger across the card slot before you put your card in. If you are in any way suspicious, use another one and let the bank know. 4. Plastic cards - it may seem like common sense, but never write down your PIN and if you are interrupted at the cash machine, cancel the transaction and leave. 5. Online shopping - if you are buying something on the internet, when you type in your card details, make sure the transaction is secure - there should be a small padlock in the bottom right-hand side of your browser window. Welfare Now that the long dark nights are upon us once more I am asking you to be on the lookout for tell tale signs with regards to your elderly neighbours welfare. Where you see milk, papers, mail etc building up and you note the curtains have not been drawn back these are all signs that there could be a problem. Also obtain from them details of their next- of-kin and a contact phone number. The last point I wish to add is for your neighbours to let you know when they will be away from their homes e.g. holidays, visiting their families etc. Once again the Police have been receiving reports of the crime listed below please follow advise as given to protect your cards. CREDIT CARD THEFT In addition to stealing a credit card, "SKIMMING", has made keeping hold of your credit card even more important. Skimming happens when someone copies the magnetic stripe on a credit or debit card by swiping it through a small card reader. This can happen in shops,garages, restaurants or anywhere where you may pay with your card, and it results in your card details being used to make a counterfeit card. Guard your card and never let it out of your sight when making a transaction, and don't carelessly discard receipts as they carry information about your card that a fraudster could use to buy things over the phone or Internet. Check your receipts against your statements carefully, and if you do not recognise a purchase, contact your card issuer immediately. Sign new cards as soon as they arrive and make sure you cut up your old cards as soon as the new ones become valid. Don't keep your chequebook with your cards, and look after all your personal possessions properly. Finally report lost or stolen cards to your issuer immediately, a 24-hour emergency number is usually shown on your statement. John Reynolds -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.33/1036 - Release Date: 28/09/2007 15:40