Crime Prevention advice from Herts. Cons
This button has been added because Crime Prevention advice has been in the past, scattered in different sections of the website. It was thought this was impractical given the seriousness of the subject. By centralising it we could then add more useful information:
Scammers continue to target Herts residents posing as police or bank staff.
If you get an unsolicited phone call, do not rely on caller ID to decide if a call is trustworthy. Criminals can copy legitimate phone numbers to appear like the genuine organisation.
If you receive a call and it sounds suspicious then hang up and ring back using a trusted number (not the number supplied by them!) on a different telephone, as criminals can remain on the line and not disconnect the call. If you do not have a different telephone to hand, then wait at least five minutes and ring a family member or friend to ensure the line has been disconnected before making the call.
Criminals will go to great lengths to appear genuine, and this can include obtaining personal information which they then disclose to the victim to give an appearance of legitimacy. These are organised criminals who can be very convincing and whose techniques sadly often scam people from all walks of life.
Even if you do not consider yourself to be vulnerable, it is important to be vigilant:
• Never give personal information in response to an incoming call, particularly if the caller is asking you to do something that will affect you financially.
• The police or your bank will never request money from you, nor will they ever request you to make a transaction on your bank card.
• If you receive such a call, end it immediately.
The ABC rule to help protect yourself and others against fraud:
- Never Assume someone is telling the truth,
- Never Believe what they say unless you are confident that they are who they say they are, and
- Always independently Confirm the details they have provided.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.
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THE POLICE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Sign up for the free e-mails from Neighbourhood Watch informing you of what is happening in your area. You do not have to do anything except read the e-mails. Go to www.herts.police.uk and use the 'Get Connected' button.
Burglaries have increased locally. Police advise that if you have UPVC (Plastic) doors, you lift the handle and DOUBLE lock. Single locking is not good enough.
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Could you spot the signs of Cuckooing?
We are working with partner organisations across the county to help raise awareness of ‘cuckooing’.
Cuckooing is where criminals groom a vulnerable person in order to take over their home and use it as a base for their criminal activities.
Spot the signs of cuckooing:
An increase in the number of visitors to the property through the day and night, often visiting for only short periods of time.
An increased number of vehicles outside the property including taxis or hire cars.
The usual occupier of the property having new associates staying and bags of clothing and / or extra bedding in the property.
The occupier moving out or staying away from the property whilst an unknown person remains.
Evidence of drug use such as discarded syringes, foil and cling film in and around the property and evidence of drug dealing such as scales and deal bags.
An increase in local crime and anti-social behaviour, including the accumulation and storage of stolen pedal cycles.
Victims of cuckooing may disengage from support services and be unwilling to discuss what is happening at their property when the subject is raised with them.
Individuals with large amounts of cash or multiple mobile phones.
Excessive receipt of texts/phone calls.
Leaving a care placement without any explanation.
Suspicion of physical assault/unexplained injuries.
Carrying weapons.
Changes to emotional wellbeing.
For more information on cuckooing visit:www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/cuckooing
If you suspect cuckooing is taking place call 101 to report, in an emergency always call 999.
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THE DISTRACTION AT THE SUPERMARKET SCAM
Police have been made aware of an increasing trend in supermarket car parks, where drivers of vehicles are being distracted by a male stating that there has been damage caused to your vehicle and then showing you where this damage is. Unbeknown to yourselves, it is these criminals that have caused the damage to your vehicle in the first place. A second male offender, at the same time as the first male offender, is stealing your property from the front of your vehicle namely handbags etc.
Please do not be taken in by this and where possible DO NOT leave any handbags or personal effects on the front seat of your vehicle whilst you are unloading your shopping etc. Advise the male (s) that you will be calling the Police immediately as you know that this is a SCAM.
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Advice for securing your home while on holiday
Following a few burglaries over the past fortnight, police are sharing advice to help people stop their homes from becoming a target while they are away on holiday.
Burglars will look for signs of an unoccupied home, like unopened letters at the front door, bins not put away or drawn curtains during the day. Making it appear that your home is occupied can be the most effective deterrent against burglary.
Close and lock all windows, doors, and outbuildings.
Avoid publishing your absence on the Internet. Status updates, comments and photos can all give away the fact that your home is empty.
Use timer switches for lamps so that they turn on as it gets dark in the evenings. You could also use a timer switch for a radio (always follow manufacturer's instructions).
Ask your neighbour to put your rubbish or recycling bins back if they’re being collected whilst you’re away – if they’re left out after collection day it could indicate to a passing thief that your house is unoccupied. Be a good neighbour and do the same for them.
If you are not leaving your car at home, ask a neighbour/friend to park their car on your drive if possible.
Do not forget to cancel deliveries of milk, newspapers etc.
Consider moving enticing items, such as laptops and mobile devices, so that they are out of sight.
You could store valuables in your loft when you go away.
If you are away for a longer period of time in the summer months, ask your neighbour to cut your grass. This helps to show that the house may be occupied. You could also ask someone you trust to help give your home the lived-in look by opening and drawing the curtains, taking in any free newspapers and moving your mail away from the letterbox.
You can find further advice on securing your home at www.herts.police.uk/protectyourhome
If you witness any suspicious activity in your local area, please call 999 straight away.
Please only reply if you have information that the sender has asked for by tapping on this email address: wlo@herts.police.uk.
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IMPORTANT ADVICE FROM AMAZON
Scammers are creative and they constantly devise new schemes, exploit new technologies and change tactics to avoid detection. Stay safe by learning to identify and avoid scams.
Prime membership scams:
These are unexpected calls/texts/emails that refer to a costly membership fee or an issue with your membership and ask you to confirm or cancel the charge. These scammers try to convince you to provide payment or bank account information in order to reinstate a membership.
Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information for products or services over the phone. Visit the Message Centre on Amazon.co.uk or on our app to review authentic emails from Amazon. To verify your Prime Membership status or make payments, log into your Amazon account, and go to Your Account.
Account suspension/Deletion scams:
Scammers send texts, emails and phone calls stating that your account will be suspended or deleted and prompt you to click on a fraudulent link or verbally provide information to “verify your account.” Customers who land on these pages or receive these phone calls are then lured to provide account information such as payment information or account login credentials.
Amazon will never ask you to disclose your password or verify sensitive personal information over the phone or on any website other than Amazon.co.uk. Please do not click on any links or provide your information to anyone over the phone without authenticating the email or phone call. If you have questions about the status of your account, go directly to Amazon.co.uk or on our app to view your account details, including the Message Center which displays a log of communications sent from Amazon.
Here are some important tips to identify scams and keep your account and information safe:
1. Trust Amazon-owned channels.
Always go through the Amazon mobile app or website when seeking customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your account.
2. Be wary of false urgency.
Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they're asking. Be wary any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now.
3. Never pay over the phone.
Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information, including gift cards (or “verification cards,” as some scammers call them) for products or services over the phone.
4. Verify links first.
Legitimate Amazon websites contain "amazon.co.uk" or "amazon.co.uk/support." Go directly to our website when seeking help with Amazon devices/services, orders or to make changes to your account.
For more information on how to stay safe online, visit Security and Privacy on the Amazon Customer Service page.
If you receive communication — a call, text, or email — that you think may not be from Amazon, please report it to us.
To review or respond to emails from Amazon, visit the Message Centre on our website.