This news roundup talks about:
- Vaccine Frauds,
- Warm & Toasty Newsletter,
- Train As a Healthcare Support Worker,
- Essex Family Support Service e-Bulletin,
- Fake National Insurance Calls.
News Roundup – Fraud Alerts & Newsletters
Community Response Pack & Fake Police
Criminals posing as Police Officers have secured sums as high as £10,000 from unwary members of the public; read about this below, first. CBC has issued another update to its very useful Community Resource Pack. It has 166 pages covering everything you might need to know about coping during the pandemic.
Continue reading “Community Response Pack & Fake Police”Essex Community Watch Magazine
Essex Community Watch Magazine
This December’s edition of the Essex Community Watch magazine contains over 20 pages of great information and advice. Topics addressed range from practical advice, ways to avoid fraud and scams, how to keep safe, and some ideas for Christmas – it’s well worth a read
Main Contents
Day 107 since Lockdown – the ‘Free Bus Travel’ edition
Day 107 since Lockdown
On day 107 we see Essex opening a free bus travel scheme. In other news we have:
- NHS Cadets scheme launched by local Chief Nurse,
- Essex Wellbeing Service to become a fixture,
- Holiday Scams:
- Property Rental Fraud. and
- Some ‘Bus’ music.
Stop. Swap. GO! campaign launched
A new sustainable travel campaign aiming to make it easier for people in Essex to switch from cars to sustainable travel, such as walking, cycling and using the bus, is launched today. Continue reading “Day 107 since Lockdown – the ‘Free Bus Travel’ edition”
Day 70 of (surreally) Lockdown – the De-Lockdown edition
Day 70 of (surreally) Lockdown
So, is this day 70 of Lockdown or is it day 1 of De-Lockdown? Heathlands School saw around 70 children attending today so, for them, it is pretty much over until the Summer Holidays in just over 7 weeks. Other news:
- Older Adults keeping active,
- HMG De-Lockdown updates,
- Beware fake test & trace calls,
- COVID-19 guidance for smokers & vapers,
- Some light reading (not), and
- Two bits of musical relief.
Older Adults Keeping Active
Sport England have published Active at Home, co-funded by them & PHE. It aims to help older adults keep up their activity levels while isolating Continue reading “Day 70 of (surreally) Lockdown – the De-Lockdown edition”
Day 51 of Lockdown – the Monty Python edition
Day 51 and Monty Python
Monty Python kicks us off on day 51. I’m afraid this video reminded me a little of some of the daily briefings we are getting.
Today sees the first day of softening in England, how was it for you? We start with a few government updates – quite a lot came out today; those included here are most relevant to members of the public.
- More Government Guidance.
Further clarifications on access to green spaces, public transport & schools. - Good Things Foundation.
Trying to ensure everybody is connected. - Courier Fraud Warning.
Warning from Essex Police. - Essex to Improve Cycle & Pedestrian Routes with Social Distancing.
Plans announced by Essex County Council. - Common Sense Called for as Recycling Centres Reopen.
ECC anticipate a rush, probably not good to be a trailblazer. - A few more Monty Python classics to amuse.
More Government Guidance
Some more guidance updates to ease our way into the common-sense world of soft lockdown, apologies if some of these appear repetitive or, at least, covering the same ground: Continue reading “Day 51 of Lockdown – the Monty Python edition”
Day 32 of Lockdown – the Co-op Dancers edition
Day 32 of Lockdown
Day 32 sees another slew of updates from Borough & County Councils, some anti-fraud stuff, the Tik-Tok videos of the Co-op dancers stitched together into one and a musical interlude.
- Support for Vulnerable Residents.
- Fraud Alerts.
- Local businesses missing out on financial support.
- A musical interlude from Princess Ariel.
But first, let’s enjoy the Co-op Dancers:
Dancing for West Bergholt
What better way to spend your evening after a hard day’s work than spending 45 minutes rehearsing some dance moves. Well, that’s what Continue reading “Day 32 of Lockdown – the Co-op Dancers edition”
Day 14 of Lockdown – The “I gotta wash my hands” Edition
Day 14 of Lockdown
Day 14 brings 3 snippets of news and a musical interlude to round it off. Two come from Essex County Council, one for small businesses, the other welfare-related. The final one is from Essex Police for all of us.
- COVID-19 ECC Business Support Service,
- Essex Welfare,
- Essex Fraud Alert,
- Musical Interlude.
Essex COVID-19 Business Support Service
ECC has put a dedicated team in place to support businesses through Continue reading “Day 14 of Lockdown – The “I gotta wash my hands” Edition”
Day 2 of Lockdown – Recycling Edition
Day 2 of Lockdown
So Day 2 of the COVID-19 lockdown and hopefully everybody is getting into the swing of things. It helps that the skies are blue especially if you are able to get outside for your daily exercise. Odd not to see vapour trails in the sky but that is probably good for the environment. So, on to news updates:
- Somebody’s crisis can be somebody else’s opportunity. Essex Police advise on how criminals are able to take advantage.
- Allotments Newsletter v2. Updated COVID-19-related guidance.
- Controversially, CBC has announced that it is cancelling all recycling collections apart from Food waste. The Parish Council are NOT happy with this.
Vishing Fraud Alert
Vishing Fraud Alert
Please be aware of recent fraud activity that is targeting businesses within our Region.
The Fraud
Fraudsters are ringing up company wage clerks/finance directors claiming to be from Barclay’s Fraud department and gaining permission to remotely access the victim’s computer system. This is on the pretence that their business account has been compromised.
The victim opens up the bank account, the fraudster then transfers the money into what they state will be the company’s new, none compromised account. The funds are then automatically distributed in seconds.
Total regional losses have exceeded £1 million.
Protect your company
- Do not be afraid to end cold calls.
- Do not to assume a caller is genuine just because they hold some information about you. Criminals may already have got hold of some basic information about a potential victim, such as a name, address and account details to try to make the call appear legitimate.
- If in any doubt hang up and call the bank yourself on numbers you know are genuine, however be sure to hang the phone up long enough to prevent the fraudster holding the line open.
- NEVER call the bank back on the number the caller provides you.
- The Bank will never call and ask for remote access to your computers or for passwords to access your accounts.
If you are a victim of “Vishing” call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online tool to report the fraud and receive a police crime reference number.
DI 3159 Lee Morton
Serious Economic Crime Unit