Warnings and advice about thefts and fraud

East Hampshire has suffered several thefts from motor vehicles over night. Advice from the Police is that everyone should keep vehicles secure and not leave valuables on display. This link (below) provides further crime prevention advice http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/advice-and-information/crime-prevention/safer-vehicles-cars.

Anyone seeing anything suspicious should call 101 or if in progress or an emergency 999

Protect yourself against bogus phone calls:

• Never respond to unsolicited phone calls - if in doubt, hang up.
• Always check that the details of the organisation or company contacting you (such as website, address and phone number) are correct - the fraudsters may be masquerading as a legitimate organisation.
• Don't be fooled by a professional looking website as nowadays the cost of creating a professional website is easily affordable.
• Be wary of any firms or individuals asking for advanced fees.
• Consider seeking independent legal and/or financial advice before making a decision.

Protect yourself against bogus trades people fraud:

• Always ask for identification before letting anyone you don't know into your house.
• Check credentials, including a permanent business address and landline telephone number. The mobile phone numbers given on business cards are often pay-as-you-go numbers which are virtually impossible to trace.
• Take control by asking the questions. Ask for references from previous customers or to see examples of their work.
• Don't sign on the spot - shop around. Get at least three written quotes to make sure you're not being ripped off.
• If in any doubt, ask the person to leave or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

If you do decide to buy:

• Always get any agreement you make in writing.
• Beware when filling in forms or when speaking to the salesperson, and ensure you don't reveal confidential details that a fraudster could use to assume your identity or take control of your finances. This may allow a fraudster to steal money from your account or order goods and services in your name.
• Usually, you have a seven-day cooling off period. So if you decide to cancel the contract, act fast.
• Think very carefully about having any work done or goods delivered during the cooling off period. You may have to pay, even if you change your mind.
• Never pay for work before it has been completed, and only then if you are happy with it.

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.

Bogus emails about packages seized by HM Revenue & Customs

Fraudsters are sending out virus infected emails that claim a package has been seized by HM Revenue & Customs upon arrival into the United Kingdom. The official looking scam emails claiming to be from Royal Mail contain a link to a document which will install malicious software on your computer designed to steal credentials like account names, email addresses and passwords.

An example email reads:

Title: Your parcel has been seized
Royal Mail is sorry to inform you that a package addressed to you was seized by HM Revenue & Customs upon arrival into the United Kingdom.
A close inspection deemed your items as counterfeit and the manufacturers have been notified. If your items are declared genuine then they will be returned back to you with the appropriate custom charges.
You may have been a victim of counterfeit merchandise and the RM Group UK will notify you on how to get your money back. Please review the attached PDF document for more information.
Document (RM7002137GB).Zip
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.

To help the spread of the virus, the email also says: ?you will need to have access to a computer to download and open the Zip file?.

If you receive one of these emails, do not click on any links or download any attachments and report it to Action Fraud.

Protect Yourself

• Royal Mail will never send an email asking for credit card numbers or other personal or confidential information.
• Royal Mail will never ask customers to enter information on a page that isn't part of the Royal Mail website.
• Royal Mail will never include attachments unless the email was solicited by a customer e.g. customer has contacted Royal Mail with an enquiry or has signed up for updates from Royal Mail.
• Royal Mail have also stressed that they do not receive a person's email address as part of any home shopping experience.

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