Fraudsters have been
sending out legitimate looking spoofed emails designed to trick recipients into
installing malware.
The emails say you have been notified and
scheduled to appear for a court hearing, and contains specific dates, times,
locations and reference numbers.
It asks you to download a copy of the “court
notice” attached. The downloadable.zip file actually contains an .exe file (a
file that executes when clicked) containing a virus.
The email has no
connection to the Criminal Justice System and anyone receiving the email should
not download any attachments or click any links.
Subject
headers change frequently
You are likely to see
some variations of this email, as it is easy for fraudsters to amend the details
and continue targeting people. BCRC’s cyber security specialist said “the email
is difficult to block as the subject headers change
frequently.”
He also said: “Provoking a panicked, impulse
reaction has become a very common scam technique for cyber criminals. Opening
the attachment allows the criminal to spy on the victim, use their computer to
commit crime, or steal personal and financial
information.For further information please visit the BCRC website.
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Friday, 24 January 2014
More fraud
Thames Valley Police are reissuing their warning to residents of the Thames Valley to be on their guard for fraudulent phone calls purporting to be from banks/police officers and requesting bank and card details.
On Tuesday 21 January, an elderly lady from Ermin Street, Shefford Woodlands, and an elderly lady from Lancaster Close, Hungerford, both received calls. Fortunately they realised that it was a scam before any money could be taken from their accounts.
Police are reiterating their advice about this type of fraud and asking everyone who has elderly or vulnerable family members, friends, or neighbours, to let them know about the scam.
The most important three things to remember are:
- Your bank and/or the police will never ask for your PIN
- Your bank will never attend your home to deliver a replacement card or to collect cash
- Your bank and/or the police will never collect your bank card
This type of fraud is known as courier fraud or vishing and often targets the elderly and vulnerable. The victim receives a phone call from fraudsters who say they are from their bank or the police. They tell the victim that they are calling because there has been suspicious activity on their account and advise them to call the bank from the number on the back of their card, which helps the victim believe the call is genuine.
The victim disconnects the phone and dials their bank or police, however the fraudster has kept the telephone line open so even though a number is dialed, it is not connected and the victim is still on the phone to the fraudster, who then gains their trust and asks them to either say or key in their pin, before telling them their card will be collected and a replacement delivered.
Once the fraudster has all the information they need, a courier is sent to collect the card from the victim, and a replacement is delivered at the same time, which is not a genuine bank card.
The offender has obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN. The bank cards are then used fraudulently without the victim’s knowledge.
Police advice is that if you receive such a call, end it immediately. Then use another phone-line, neighbours phone or mobile phone to make a report. If this is not possible please wait a period of time before you use your phone (10 minutes should be sufficient).
If you receive this type of call, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or via their website. In an emergency, dial 999.
On Tuesday 21 January, an elderly lady from Ermin Street, Shefford Woodlands, and an elderly lady from Lancaster Close, Hungerford, both received calls. Fortunately they realised that it was a scam before any money could be taken from their accounts.
Police are reiterating their advice about this type of fraud and asking everyone who has elderly or vulnerable family members, friends, or neighbours, to let them know about the scam.
The most important three things to remember are:
- Your bank and/or the police will never ask for your PIN
- Your bank will never attend your home to deliver a replacement card or to collect cash
- Your bank and/or the police will never collect your bank card
This type of fraud is known as courier fraud or vishing and often targets the elderly and vulnerable. The victim receives a phone call from fraudsters who say they are from their bank or the police. They tell the victim that they are calling because there has been suspicious activity on their account and advise them to call the bank from the number on the back of their card, which helps the victim believe the call is genuine.
The victim disconnects the phone and dials their bank or police, however the fraudster has kept the telephone line open so even though a number is dialed, it is not connected and the victim is still on the phone to the fraudster, who then gains their trust and asks them to either say or key in their pin, before telling them their card will be collected and a replacement delivered.
Once the fraudster has all the information they need, a courier is sent to collect the card from the victim, and a replacement is delivered at the same time, which is not a genuine bank card.
The offender has obtained the person’s name, address, full bank details, the card itself and the PIN. The bank cards are then used fraudulently without the victim’s knowledge.
Police advice is that if you receive such a call, end it immediately. Then use another phone-line, neighbours phone or mobile phone to make a report. If this is not possible please wait a period of time before you use your phone (10 minutes should be sufficient).
If you receive this type of call, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or via their website. In an emergency, dial 999.
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Bank - credit card scams
Elderly people are being targeted with a new telephone scam that involves con men posing as bank staff or police, a fraud watchdog has warned.
The fraud, which has cost victims £7m in a year, is difficult to detect when well-executed, Financial Fraud Action UK said.
The criminals instruct the victim to disclose credit and debit card information before emptying the person’s bank accounts.
Those who have fallen into the trap have had their life savings wiped out within 24-hours. Around one in four adults in the UK has received a cold call like this. Financial Fraud Action said 43pc of victims have been aged over 50.
The new con is dubbed ‘vishing’. It involves a fraudster posing on the phone as someone from a bank or building society fraud investigation team, the police or another legitimate organisation such as a telephone or internet provider.
Remember this advice
Your bank or the police will never ring you and tell you that they are coming to your home to pick up your card or cash. Never hand it over to anyone who comes to collect it.
Your bank will never ask you to authorise anything by entering your PIN over the phone.
Never tell anyone your PIN. The only time you should need to use it is at a cash machine at a shop's chip & pin machine.
If you think that you have been the victim of a scam or fraud of this nature you should inform the police or you bank/card companies A.S.A.P
You can download a Free No Cold Callers message here
Remember this advice
Your bank or the police will never ring you and tell you that they are coming to your home to pick up your card or cash. Never hand it over to anyone who comes to collect it.
Your bank will never ask you to authorise anything by entering your PIN over the phone.
Never tell anyone your PIN. The only time you should need to use it is at a cash machine at a shop's chip & pin machine.
If you think that you have been the victim of a scam or fraud of this nature you should inform the police or you bank/card companies A.S.A.P
You can download a Free No Cold Callers message here
Illegal pesticides
Thames Valley
Police is currently investigating the distribution and use of illegal
pesticides, including counterfeits, across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and
Berkshire.
Illegal pesticides have been found in increasing amounts across the UK and Europe and Thames Valley Police has a particular interest in illegal pesticides not just because of the risks they pose to the rural communities but the links to organised crime gangs. There is growing evidence that the illicit activities of such gangs finance other serious crimes such as human trafficking and international terrorism.
It is not yet known to what extent, if any, illegal pesticides are being sold within our rural communities. Gathering intelligence and information is a vital part of the investigation, which is where you come in.
If you notice anything suspicious about pesticides you have either been offered or purchased, please call the 24 hour non-emergency number 101 and mention ‘Operation Silo’.
Things to look out for:
Illegal pesticides have been found in increasing amounts across the UK and Europe and Thames Valley Police has a particular interest in illegal pesticides not just because of the risks they pose to the rural communities but the links to organised crime gangs. There is growing evidence that the illicit activities of such gangs finance other serious crimes such as human trafficking and international terrorism.
It is not yet known to what extent, if any, illegal pesticides are being sold within our rural communities. Gathering intelligence and information is a vital part of the investigation, which is where you come in.
If you notice anything suspicious about pesticides you have either been offered or purchased, please call the 24 hour non-emergency number 101 and mention ‘Operation Silo’.
Things to look out for:
- Does the product look or smell unusual?
- Have you been offered a product which has been described as the same as another but at a discounted rate?
- Have you been sold a product because your first choice was ‘out of stock’?
- Do you have any feelings that a product you have bought isn’t quite right? Are there any unusual symptoms or irregularities?(clog spray jets / nozzles) etc
- Is the packaging unusual or not what you would expect?
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Computer virus
Should any of
you receive an e-mail similar to the picture of one below delete it immediately,
it is fake !
Do not
under any circumstances click on the link as it will install dangerous
malware.
>>
Friday, 6 December 2013
Burglaries Wallingford & Benson
On Thursday 5th December between 4.45pm and 5.15pm
a property in Old London Road, Benson was burgled. Offender(s) have gained
entry and stole laptops, hand held computers and jewellery.
On
Thursday 5th December between 3.30pm and 4.50pm a property in
Blacklands Road, Benson was broken into. Offender(s) have forced entry to rear
glass door and stole cash, jewellery and a tablet computer.
On Thursday 5th December between 5.20pm and 5.40pm a property in High Street, Wallingford was broken into. Offender(s) have forced entry to a rear door by smashing the glass pane and stole two pouches of tobacco.
Between 11am and 12pm (4/12) two females aged between 18-20years called at an elderly person’s property in Wilding Road, Wallingford claiming they were there to clean the house. It is believed this was an attempted distraction burglary. No entry was gained.
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Christmas Drink Drive
Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary Joint Roads Policing Unit launches its Christmas anti-drink and drug drive campaign on Sunday (1/12).
The
two forces will be working in close partnership and conducting more
cross-border operations than ever before with the aim of reducing the number of
alcohol and drug related incidents on our roads.
Party-goers
are being warned to think about the consequences before they consider having a
drink and getting behind the wheel during the festive period.
The
crackdown follows last year’s successful enforcement activity, which saw 6,585
drivers breathalysed by Thames Valley Police between 1 December 2012 and 1
January 2013.
The
campaign is part of a national crackdown by the Association of Chief Police
Officers (ACPO) and the Department for Transport (DfT), aimed at reducing the
number of people killed and injured on our roads by people who drink or take
drugs and drive.
Impairment
through drugs and/or alcohol is an important factor influencing both the risk
of a road collision and the severity of the injuries that result from these
collisions.
Across
the Thames Valley, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, 68 people were killed or
seriously injured last year (Jan-Dec 2012), where alcohol was a factor in the
collision (61 seriously injured and 7 killed). In the first eight months of
this year (Jan-Aug 2013), 38 people have been killed or seriously injured where
alcohol was a factor in the collision (six killed and 32 seriously injured).
In
addition, many people are not aware of the continuing effects of alcohol the
morning after. In many cases, alcohol is still present in the body and will be
identified during the breath test.
The
overall aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of people killed or
seriously injured as a result of drink driving and to convince drivers that a
conviction for drink/drug driving has the potential to ruin their life.
Thames
Valley Police, Hampshire Constabulary and ACPO hope that understanding the
consequences of their offending will deter people from being so irresponsible.
A night in police cells sobering up with the possibility of being charged and
going straight to court, followed by a lengthy ban, are the reality.
The
campaign will also link with the European TISPOL police campaign during the
second week of the campaign (9-15 Dec) where all police forces across Europe
will tackle drink and drug driving concerns.
The Joint
Roads Policing Unit will conduct road safety checks at all times of the day and
night across the Thames Valley and Hampshire. Drivers will be asked to provide
a specimen of breath in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988. Where there
is no suspicion of alcohol, no moving traffic offences being committed, or no
involvement in a collision, drivers will be offered the opportunity to
participate in the campaign and provide a sample on a voluntary basis. We will
explain the reasons for these checks to drivers and ask for the motoring
public’s support.
Officers
will also record additional information about those stopped, relating to what
age bracket they fall into. This data will be provided to the DfT, who will
analyse it to understand the level of drink-driving nationally and the
correlation between age and drink-driving behaviour.
Ch Insp
Henry Parsons, of Roads Policing for Thames Valley Police and Hampshire
Constabulary, said: “We are asking the public to be safe rather than sorry.
Collisions involving alcohol or drugs not only devastate the lives of victims
and their families, they also ruin the lives of offenders, who could face a
lengthy driving ban or imprisonment.
"As
well as having to live with the lifelong guilt of having killed or injured
someone through their reckless behaviour, offenders could also lose their job,
home and their livelihood.
“If you
are going out and know you will be drinking, organise alternative transport or
a designated driver to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the festive period
safely.”
Officers
across the Thames Valley and Hampshire will be wearing purple ribbons in memory
of those killed on our roads as a result of drink-driving. The purple ribbon is
linked to the tragic death of Evey Staley in the Isle of Wight last August.
Evey was just 10-years-old when she was killed by a drink and drug driver.
Purple was Eveys favourite colour
Total
number of breath tests in last year's Christmas campaign:
- Berkshire – 1,757
- Buckinghamshire – 1,142
- Milton Keynes - 1,169
- Oxfordshire – 2,517
Total –
6,585
Total
number of arrests following positive breath tests during last year’s campaign:
- Berkshire – 113
- Buckinghamshire – 53
- Milton Keynes - 38
- Oxfordshire – 74
Total -
278
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