http://www.buckshawvillage.com/ Get together with your neighbours to reduce local crime and disorder and make your neighbourhood a safe and better place to live, work and play en Tue, 07 Sep 2010 03:46:51 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.buckshawvillage.com/images/misc/rss.png http://www.buckshawvillage.com/ http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2891-Recent-Scams-Trading-Standards-Warning&goto=newpost Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:15:02 GMT *3 September 2010* Consumers are warned to beware of scam merchants making phone calls to unsuspecting Lancashire residents. Please warn your... 3 September 2010

Consumers are warned to beware of scam merchants making phone calls to unsuspecting Lancashire residents. Please warn your friends and neighbours of the following:

1. Calls purporting to be from the Office of Fair Trading claiming that the consumer is due to receive a refund for overpaid bank charges, of around £800 to £3,000. The money will be received once a deposit of £195 is paid at the nearest post office, probably by money transfer (we do not have a complainant who has paid so far). The consumer will be given a receipt and later that day an official from the OFT will deliver a cheque to their door.

2. Calls purporting to be from Microsoft, claiming there are viruses on the computer and they need to sort this out. Consumers are asked to log on to various websites where they will be talked through certain steps, involving running a programme which may allow the caller to take control of the computer. On some occasions consumers are asked for bank details, on other occasions they take steps which allow another to obtain access to their computer, which may include access to personal details.

3. Bogus calls to students from 'Student Finance' informing them there has been a hitch with their student loans, and they will have to give their bank details again by clicking on a computer link if they wish to receive the money.

4. Cold calls falsely claiming to be from utilities companies, asking if there is anyone over 70 in the house, offering various energy-saving products and charging £100 for them.

5. Resurrection of the scam where a cold caller falsely claims to be from a borough council and attempts to get bank details out of a consumer in order to repay them previously overpaid council tax charges.

6. A scam where consumers who have previously lost out on shares frauds with American links are informed the US government has a scheme where they recover the defrauded amounts, and then pay 85% of the lost share value. The consumer needs to pay for this service, and on one occasion the amount quoted was £25,000. The trader claims to be linked to a British bank and gives a name listed with the Financial Services Authority.

Refer any complaints to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 55 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs PR1 3NU via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. ]]> Neighbourhood Watch Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2891-Recent-Scams-Trading-Standards-Warning http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2878-September-2010-Newsletter&goto=newpost Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:09:42 GMT *Newsletters * Firstly let me apologies for the lack of a Newsletter last month with a two week break for my holidays and a heavy work schedule... Newsletters

Firstly let me apologies for the lack of a Newsletter last month with a two week break for my holidays and a heavy work schedule when I returned it was not really feasible to be able to produce one.

Talking about the newsletter I am sure that you will have all heard about the reductions in the Police’s budgets across the whole of the country. Lancashire Constabulary obviously is not immune to these measures and we have been asked to reduce the amount of paper/photocopying and postage that we utilise on a daily basis. The main outlay that I use across a 12 month period is the printing/distribution of the monthly newsletters.

I am sure whether the vast majority of co-ordinators already are aware that once produced the newsletter is forwarded by mail and then emailed through to co-ordinators who are already registered on the Email Alert system.

I am appealing to all the co-ordinators who have the capability to receive the Newsletters in this format, but do not take the opportunity to reconsider and let us try and get more recipients doing so electronically.

If you can reduce your requirements, for printed copies, by either taking the newsletter via email, then forwarding to your residents, or by taking a reduced number of copies and sending them around to more than one person I would be grateful. You can email me at Margaret.Rushton@lancashire.pnn.police.uk or telephone me at 01257-246384.

Date for Your Diaries

On Saturday 6th November 2010 the Open Spaces Watch will be one year old and to celebrate we are organising a day of activities and attractions at Astley Park Courtyard and Conference Facilities.

The day will run from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and there will be plenty of things to do for all the family, come rain or shine.

Why not put this date in your diary and come along and support Chorley & District Neighbourhood Watch Association celebrate the first anniversary of this initiative.

Cycles

The main point of concern over the crimes during the last two months was the number of cycles which have been stolen across the area. The total number for the last three months is 114 cycles stolen across the Chorley & District area this is compared to 67 during the same period last year.

Please find some crime prevention measures in regard to protecting your bicycle:

• Look at the security on your bike and purchase a “Secured by Design” approved lock, or ask for a recommendation at a bike shop. Purchase a security chain which cannot be cut by hand held bolt croppers (e.g. Almax)
• Lock your bicycle to something secure e.g. a cycle rack or lamppost.
• Always lock your cycle however long you are going to leave it.
• Make the lock and bicycle difficult to manoeuvre when parked – keep the lock away from the ground and keep the gap between the bike and lock small.
• Lock up removable parts (e.g. wheels) and take light fittings with you.
• Have your bicycle frame security marked, or engraved.
• Ensure your bicycle is covered by insurance, especially when away from home.
• Record and register your bicycle (model, make and frame number) with either bikeregister.com or immobilise.com.
• Take a clear photograph and make a written record of its description, including any unique features.
• Keep your bike in a secure garage, or shed and keep the door locked.
• Keep it out of view of the public.
• Avoid isolated places – leave your bike where a potential thief can be seen.

If you have any information about cycle thefts then please contact the Police on either 0845 1 25 35 45 or if you prefer you can call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crime Research Group

Yet again the alarm company has appeared in the Chorley area. One of our local resident got a telephone call from the Crime Research Group asking questions about their security system and whether they had an alarm.

Once again please do not give out anyu information over the phone and if you are considering installing an alarm, or any other type of work on your home, but do not know where to find a reliable trader – then consider utilising the Trading Standards safer trader scheme on www.safetrader.org.uk or Telephone 01772-535199.

Delivery of Preston BT 2010 Phone Books

Product Development Corporation is the company who have been contracted to deliver the new Phone Book from BT in our area.

They are currently preparing for the Preston distribution which will be delivered by private individuals in their own vehicles starting around the 15th September 2010. This operation is due to take between 2-3 weeks to complete.

They have instructed their distributors not to leave books on doorsteps and generally be aware of their responsibilities when making deliveries to private addresses.

The organisation has asked that this information be passed to Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators and should anyone wish to discuss any aspect of their activity that they contact Lesley Hall (Project Co-ordinator) on 01904 606300.

Comparisons of burglaries committed across the Chorley and the rural areas during last month and July 2009.

Area - Dwelling Jul 09 Jul 10
Chorley 9 7
Rurals 12 5

Area – Non Dwelling Jul 09 Jul 10
Chorley 29 18
Rurals 5 16

August 2009 compared with 2010.

Area – Dwelling Aug 2009 Aug 2010
Chorley 6 8
Rural 5 5

Area – Non Dwelling Aug 2009 Aug 2010
Chorley 18 14
Rurals 11 16

Regards
Margaret ]]> Neighbourhood Watch Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2878-September-2010-Newsletter http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2793-Job-Hunters-and-Olympic-Games-Trading-Standards-Warning&goto=newpost Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:48:42 GMT JOB-HUNTERS are being warned that some adverts for mystery shoppers, offering earnings of £300 per week, which have recently appeared in newspapers,... JOB-HUNTERS are being warned that some adverts for mystery shoppers, offering earnings of £300 per week, which have recently appeared in newspapers, are likely to be a sophisticated way to acquire bank details. When responding to an advertisement consumers are then asked for personal details and up-front payment.

This is yet another home-working scheme designed to part job-hunters from their money while offering very little in return. We are strongly advising people not to get involved with anything involving the words "Mystery Shopper". When applying for any home-working job, the moment there is any mention of asking for up-front payment people should walk away.

Trading standards officers are also warning residents to beware scams involving tickets for the 2012 Olympic Games. Be aware that tickets will not be available until 2011 and will only be sold through the official website and authorised ticket resellers. Residents may pre-register for tickets free of charge from the official 2012 Olympic website although pre-registering does not guarantee tickets. You will not be asked to pay money or sign a contract till 2011. If any website offers bargain tickets before 2011 it will be fraudulent.

Please refer any complaints and further information to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 56-58 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. ]]> Neighbourhood Watch Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2793-Job-Hunters-and-Olympic-Games-Trading-Standards-Warning http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2792-Quick-Finance-Trading-Standards-Warning&goto=newpost Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:46:49 GMT Residents are asked to be aware that a company calling itself Quick Finance is somehow following up on queries made about loans. Their operatives... Residents are asked to be aware that a company calling itself Quick Finance is somehow following up on queries made about loans. Their operatives cold call by telephone, claiming to be linked to the major loan provider or credit broker at which enquiries have been made, and offer loans of £20,000 or £30,000 when a fee is paid to India by money transfer. If a fee is paid, more money will be demanded. One Lancashire resident has paid over £1,000 and still has no prospect of the loan she needs, and there other complaints from throughout the Northwest.

Consumers should not give bank or credit card details over the phone unless they are sure that a company is genuine, and should be aware that money transfer payments are impossble to get back when things go wrong.

Please refer any complaints and further information to Lancashire Trading Standards Service, 56-58 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancs via Consumer Direct tel 08454 040506. ]]> Neighbourhood Watch Paul http://www.buckshawvillage.com/showthread.php?2792-Quick-Finance-Trading-Standards-Warning