Comprehensive site listing most know scams, sorted into appropriate categories: 
 http://www.safefromscams.co.uk/

David J Budd
Crime Prevention and NHW Liaison Officer
Wiltshire Police

• Never keep anything on display in your vehicle; even coats can be a target as the thieves believe they may contain wallets.
• Park your car as near to your home as possible, preferably in a well lit area, using a driveway or gar age if possible.
• Remove Satellite Navigation systems and clean away suction marks on the window.
• If you own a van, make sure you remove tools overnight and display an appropriate sign in the rear window making it clear that all tools have been removed.
• Do not leave handbags and wallets in the vehicle.
• Do not leave laptops, mobile phones, satellite navigation systems, handbags, wallets, credit cards, cheque books or vehicle documents in your car. Take them with you when you leave the vehicle or if it impracticable to do so - place them in the boot and ensure electronic equipment is completely switched off.
• Leave your glove box open to show there is nothing in it.
• Double-check that doors, windows, sunroof and boot are locked before leaving, and put your aerial down to stop it being vandalised.
• Consider marking all your valuables, like your car stereo, with your vehicle registration number or consider registering your property on sites such as www.immobilise.com/.
• Burglars will steal car keys with the intent of stealing the vehicle either at the same time, or returning later to do so. Do not leave keys in obvious places, especially a key rack or on the hall table. Consider taking them to bed with you at night.

For further information about securing your vehicle and other crime reduction advice please visit: www.direct.gov.uk/letskeepcrimedown  

Always be aware of any strangers in your area who appear to be behaving suspiciously. Record descriptions of such people and any vehicles that they may have with them and contact the Police on 0845 408 7000 or dial 999 in an emergency. Remember that you can also contacts Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be anonymously.

Further Crime Prevention Advice can be obtained by contacting the Crime Prevention Office rs –

David Budd                                                                   Amanda Baldwin
Trowbridge Police Station                                          Salisbury Police Station
David.budd@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk                         Amanda.baldwin@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk 

 INTERNET BANKING SCAM - HSBC   

Police are aware that the following E-mail is being sent to E-Mail accounts across the United Kingdom. It is not genuine and SHOULD NOT be responded to. Can you please advise your scheme members accordingly in case they should receive the E-Mail in question

David J Budd
Crime Reduction /Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer

'HSBC Internet Banking Account Review Notification.
HSBC Internet Banking is constantly working to ensure security by regularly screening the accounts in our system.
As a new security measure to protect your Internet banking account,
We recently decided to review your account, so as to help us provide you with a more secure service.
your access to sensitive account features will be limited.
you have to log-in within 48hrs after receiving this notice to re-update your Internet banking account for urgent review.
After 48hrs your account will be disabled.
We would like to restore your access as soon as possible, and we apologize for the inconvenience.
Kindly re-update your Internet banking information by clicking on the link below.:     
Click here to update your account'

IMMOBILISE LETTER 

Dear Sir / Madam
Our Ref:    Crime Reduction Officer
Email: 
Telephone: 0845 408 7000 Ext 725524
Direct Dial: 01225 794659
David.budd@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk 

REGISTER
Immobilise is the worlds largest FREE online possession and asset ownership registration service used by both the General Public and Businesses.

Each member has their own online account to register as many items as they wish free of charge.

Items are registered by make, model and serial number. In the case of a mobile phone the IMEI, International Mobile Equipment Identity, which is obtainable by keying in *#06# on the phone keypad. 

REPORT
In the event of loss, theft or disaster all the information relating to possessions or company assets are available from any internet connected device. This is hugely valuable to assist in reporting the information accurately to the police and insurance companies.  

In the UK all registered information and contact details are viewable by the UK Police via the (NMPR) National Mobile Property Register.

Once an online account is set up with Immobilise, it is easy to add, edit or delete property entries from the data base. Property such as computer equipment, satellite navigation system, MP3 players, pedal cycles and other items can all be added. Photographs of property can also be included.

In the event of loss, theft or fire a printable certificate can be obtained to assist with insurance claims, report stolen or lost property to the police.

REUNITE
If your registered property is recovered either the police or Immobilise will contact you and let you know its location.

Further information with regards to Immobilise can be obtained by visiting  www.immobilise.com/   Setting up an account will take no more than five minutes, when completing the process and in the ‘where heard’ drop down box, select  Wiltshire Police/County. 

David J Budd
Crime Reduction Officer

LOCAL CRIME UPDATE

Reported 3 Jul 2009: Yesterday morning at The Shoe bogus callers stating they were from the Council, looking at her trees, have gained entry to an elderly ladies house, search carried out, at this time not known if anything taken.

Reported 3 Jul 2009: Theft of a Vehicle (Toyota Hilux reg. M85CAM) , items from a tractor and a quantity of Red Diesel in the Yatton Keynell area. Anyone seeing this vehicle please report it to the police.

SUMMER SECURITY

With the warmer weather it’s easy to forget about home security, but traditionally the summer months mean an increase in burglary. By following some simple steps you can help to protect your home and belongings and still make the most of the summer.

At home: If you’re in your back garden make sure you keep doors and windows secure. Ensure that if you have a barbecue in your back garden that all windows and doors at the front of the house are locked. Use strong locks on all external doors and easy to reach windows - such as those on the ground floor, above flat roofs or near drainpipes. Don’t hang keys where they could easily be reached through a letterbox or window and never leave them on a sideboard where they are visible. Keep valuable items away from windows where they could be seen by passers-by. This includes home computers and television sets. Never leave garden equipment unattended, even for short periods of time.

Garages and sheds: Try to keep your garage door open only for as long as is necessary. If thieves can see there is something worth stealing from a garage they could come back later and break in. As with items in your home, valuables stored in either a shed or a garage should be marked with your postcode and house number so if they are stolen and recovered you can be traced and reunited with your property. Large expensive equipment, like lawn mowers, should be fastened to something bulky. Alternatively, fit anchor posts attached to the floor to provide a fixed point for locking your belongings to.

Vehicles: Don’t leave windows and roofs open on vehicles while they are unattended. When leaving your vehicle make sure there is nothing on show. If you have a satellite navigation (SatNav) system in your car remove it when you leave your vehicle and wipe away sucker marks from your windscreen.

Before going on holiday: If you're going on holiday use timer switches on radios and lamps to give the impression the property is occupied. Don’t make any significant changes to the exterior of your property. For example, if you never a shut your gate when you’re at home, don’t shut it when you go away. Make an arrangement with a trusted friend. neighbour or neighbourhood watch  to check on your home while you’re away. Look at your home through the eyes of a burglar. If you can get into your house without keys then so can a burglar.

WARNING - PERFUME SCAM

For the attention of all women; please share this with your wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, etc. Beware of anyone offering you perfume; be careful. A lady was approached yesterday afternoon around 5:30 PM in the ASDA carpark by two males asking what kind of perfume I was wearing. Then they asked if I'd like to sample some fabulous scent they were willing to sell me at very reasonable rate. I probably would have agreed had I not received an e-mail warning of a 'Wanna smell this neat perfume?' scam. The men continued to stand between parked cars, I guess to wait for someone else to hit on. I stopped a lady going towards them, pointing at them, and told her about how I was sent an e-mail at work about someone walking up to you at the malls or in carparks and asking you to SNIFF PERFUME that they are selling at a cheap price or at least compare to which one you like best. THIS IS NOT PERFUME...IT IS ETHER!  When you sniff it, you 'll pass out. They'll take your wallet, your valuables and heaven knows what else. If it were not for this e-mail, I probably would have sniffed the 'perfume', but thanks to the generosity of an e-mailing friend, I was spared whatever might have happened to me. I wanted to do the same for you.

PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS, AND PLEASE BE ALERT AND BE AWARE. IF YOU ARE A MAN AND RECEIVE THIS, PASS IT ON TO YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS.

FOR RURAL VILLAGES

11 June 2009 at 1555hrs there was a House Burglary in the Littleton Drew area. Items that we know that were taken. Laptop Computer 48inch TV.

There is very little detail 2 white males in there 20's both about 5'6, one with dark hair and one with fair hair, no description of what they were wearing. There would have been a vehicle but again none seen.

 RECENT CRIMES IN LOCAL VILLAGES 

 The following crimes have taken place in the villages:

•  08/06/09 Castle Combe a vehicle was stolen from outside a house in upper Castle combe
• 04/06/09 In Doveys Terrace Kington Langley 2 males went to do some gardening for an elderly lady they took her money and then said they were going to get their blade sharpened and left with money never to return can this one be sent out to all villages.
• 29/05/09 A burglary occurred in Town Close Kington St Michael.

VEHICLE MATCHING SCAM  
DON'T FALL FOR £3 MILLION CAR-SELLING SCAM WARNS CONSUMER DIRECT

Consumer Direct, the OFT-managed advice service, is today warning consumers about vehicle matching scams which cost UK consumers nearly £3 million every year.

Vehicle matching firms work by approaching consumers selling their cars and promising to match them with definite buyers. Typically, the seller is cold-called by phone once they have placed an advert in a magazine, on a website or in a newspaper. They are promised that a buyer exists for their vehicle but are required to pay a matcher’s fee up front before the sale is completed. However in many cases there is no buyer, the contract with the vehicle matcher cannot be cancelled, and any money paid is lost.

Last year over 1600 private sellers of second hand cars complained to Consumer Direct about the practice, losing between £80 and £99 each, but the true number of victims is thought to be much larger.

The OFT has co-ordinated the sharing of intelligence between different enforcement agencies to target action against traders engaged in unfair commercial practices, assisted on enforcement action, and has organized a day of action with  the police, local authority Trading Standards Services and consumer bodies to crack down on the car matching scammers.

Clive Kenyon, Centre Manager at Consumer Direct South West, said: 'If you're cold called by traders promising to put you in touch with guaranteed buyers, it's worth thinking very carefully before paying an up-front fee.'

Further information on vehicle matching scams is available on the Consumer Direct website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ . People seeking individual advice can call 08454 04 05 06.

NOTES:

1. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Regulations 2008 prohibits unfair commercial practices and, in particular those which constitute misleading actions, misleading omissions and aggressive commercial practices. The Regulations are enforceable through the civil and criminal courts. Breach of the law is an offence punishable by up to two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
2. Car-matching scammers have easy access to car sellers’ details through online publications and newspapers, and a number of individuals involved in such scams are associated with more than one company. Consumers across the country have been targeted. The OFT has also been informed that consumers from the Republic of Ireland have been targeted by some of the same UK traders.
3. There has been a concentration of these scam companies operating from around North London and Hertfordshire and several recent enforcement cases have been successfully brought against these rogue traders by trading standards. Recent action taken against vehicle matching companies includes a prosecution taken under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 by Hertfordshire County Council Trading Standards. See press release. The OFT have also removed the consumer credit licence from a London vehicle matching company in November 2008 (click here). In addition, Companies Investigation Branch has taken action leading to several scam vehicle matching companies being compulsorily wound up.
4. The OFT is also warning employees of rogue car matching firms that they will be individually liable for prosecution for knowingly and dishonestly misleading consumers.
5. Earlier this month, the OFT launched a market study into the sale of second-hand cars related to franchised and independent dealers. Though not looking at private car sales, its findings will aim to provide clarity across the wider second-hand car market. See press release 
6. If you think you have been the victim of a vehicle matching scam, or you suspect a scam, call Consumer Direct for clear, practical consumer advice on 08454 04 05 06.
7. Consumers need to be alert especially during the current economic climate.  Consumer Direct advises: a. Stop, think and be sceptical if you are cold called and are asked for money in advance.
   b. Don't give your credit or debit card details to people you don't know.
   c. Stop, think and be sceptical if promises are made which gives the impression that there are immediate buyers for your car, that finance has already been arranged for potential buyers, that buyers are willing to pay your asking price or more, there are buyers ready to view your car immediately or that you will be offered a refund if the car does not sell.
   d. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Don’t be pressured into anything If in doubt about a particular telephone call, hang up. For more information on vehicle matching scams go to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/vehiclematching

Contact: Kate Cook – 01209 720281
Email: kcook@consumerdirect-southwest.gov.uk

TELEPHONE SCAM   

This is genuine If someone rings and tells you that your phone bill has not been paid put the phone straight down. Because they will tell you they are cutting you off if you don't pay immediately. They ask you to pay by card and tell you the card is no good so they need another one. You will put the phone down and they make out your phone is cut off by putting it on the side so that you
can't make calls out.They then ring you back demanding instant payment using your credit card. This happened to a relation of one of our coordinators. In this instance they insisted that the first card didn't work so they managed to get hold of another card number to use. By the time the person got to the bank the next day money had been removed from the machines.

Gwyn Comley
Deputy Sector Coordinator - Chippenham,Calne & Corsham
Community Area Coordinator - Chippenham
Tel: 01249 654758

CAR THEFT  ALERT   

Please alert your people. Last night Thieves attempted to steal a 4 x 4 car from Brook Street - this attempt failed.  Later at 2.30 am an identical model was stolen  from Dallas Road using a spare key stolen from the house. This vehicle was later retrieved  from between Birmingham and Leicester.

Please remind everyone to put their keys in a safe place and not leave them lying about the house.

Gwyn Comley
Deputy Sector Coordinator - Chippenham,Calne & Corsham
Community Area Coordinator - Chippenham
Tel: 01249 654758

I thought that I would contact you all and request that you pass this warning on to all your scheme coordinators and their members.

Over the past few days there have a been a number of reports of persons receiving unsolicited telephone calls / doorstep callers from persons stating that they represent particular security companies.   They are offering either a free alarm system or free monitoring and half price installation.  

What they do not tell you is that you will sign up to a 5 year contract and if you take up the offer of a free alarm system there is a DAILY charge of £1.60.

It is concerning that these companies can purchase a database containing personal details.

The calls are considered to be in response to the Home Secretary publicly stating that Burglaries were on the increase

I would recommend that if contacted by these companies you obtain the company details and telephone number and then inform them that you will be reporting the matter to Trading Standards.

Tading Standards will be able to take the complaints up the the regulatory body for the Security Industry.

Any person who is considering having an Intruder Alarm fitted is afdvised, in the first instance to contact their Police Crime Reduction Officer who will provide relevent advice.   Crime Reduction Officers can be contacted through 0845 408 7000.

David J Budd
Crime Reduction/Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer
Wiltshire Police

SCAM

I was alerted today by the Police, who said there were men going round the houses in Christian Malford pretending to be deaf and dumb, selling paintings.  They had been observed using mobile phones!  Not long after the Police visit, I saw a young man approach a house in Lime Trees, carrying a plastic bag with a painting in it.  He gesticulated to the householder, who did not buy anything.  Apparently, the seller then walked off towards the next house, but turned back when called.  Realising he had been rumbled, he then abandoned the idea of calling at the next house, and walked away.

Be aware!

YOUTH TASKING TEAM 

There is interest in setting up a tasking team, especially with young people to represent the village youth, to discuss how the NW and police could work together to improve the community.  If you are interested, please call 0845 408 7000 or email chippruralnorthnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk.

POSTAL SCAM

The local Neighbourhood Watch informs us of the following postal scam which has been confirmed this directly with Royal Mail Fraud Department.

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911(a premium rate number).  DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize.  If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you may already have been billed £15 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact ICSTIS on 0800 500212.

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING.

There have been developments in the way Neighbourhood Watch operates.  The Police have been introducing Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) throughout the country, and Christian Malford is included in an NPT called “Chippenham Rural North NPT”, with Heather Barham as Beat Manager.  She has been responsible for our village for some years, and used to produce the Rural Villages Newsletter.  She is supported by a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), Steve Butler.

The Police have been reorganised in such a way that the Chippenham Rural areas (North and West) are serviced from Corsham Police Station.  Having previously attended Neighbourhood Watch meetings of the Chippenham group, last night I attended the inaugural meeting of the Corsham group.  It will take a few months to settle down, being a new organisation.

Heather gave me some leaflets; I will position a supply in the Village Shop, in case anyone would like a copy.

Heather hasn’t been able to continue with the newsletters, but maybe in the future – watch this space!

GOING AWAY ON HOLIDAY? 

The following helpful hints were recently received from Wiltshire Police:

Please be aware of the opportunities for offenders to target vacant property whilst you are away on holiday. There have been three dwelling burglaries in Melksham alone this week where the occupants were away.

Simple security advice for when you are away:

If you are going away on holiday remember (though it might seem obvious) to make sure your property is secure - check windows and doors are locked and don't forget to secure your shed or garage. Remember to set your burglar alarm if you have one! If you are at home or you are away, remember to keep back doors locked and use your window locks - a third of all burglars get in through a back window.

Cut your lawns just before you go away so this is not an obvious sign that the property is vacant. Cancel any deliveries (milk, newspapers etc) and consider leaving any important documents and valuables with family members or a bank while you’re away. Get automatic timer switches to switch lights and a radio to turn on and off as this makes it look like you're still around.

The help of family, friends or neighbourhood watch can be invaluable – so give someone you trust a spare key and your alarm code in case there is a problem. Ask if they would be happy to go in each morning and evening to open and close the curtains, pick up mail and to make the house look more lived in. Let your neighbourhood watch coordinator or neighbour know who is looking after your property and provide them with vehicle details in case a suspicious vehicle turns up on the driveway.

If you are leaving your car at home, park it as close to your garage as possible. Set the alarm and make sure nothing is left on view. If you are taking your car, ask a neighbour to periodically park their car on your drive to give the impression someone is home. On holiday, do not leave windows and roofs open on vehicles while they are unattended. When leaving your vehicle make sure there is nothing on show. If you have a satellite navigation (SatNav) system in your car remove it when you leave your vehicle and wipe away sucker marks from your windscreen.

Don’t put your address on your luggage when you are travelling. Your name and phone number is sufficient, with your address inside the case if necessary. Avoid discussing your holiday plans where strangers may hear details of your absence from home.

Plan in advance- before you leave for holiday take a look at your home security. Ensure that your doors and windows are in good condition with the relevant locks fitted. Make sure that your valuable items (such as TVs, hi-fis, DVDs etc) are not noticeable through your windows. Mark your belongings and keep a detailed record of your property (serial numbers, photographs, makes & models etc).

Ensure that the rear of your property is robust and don’t forget to consider your outbuildings - sheds and garages need just as much attention. Secure your tools, ladders and garden equipment - these are hot property and tools and ladders can be used to gain access to your homes.