East Leake

INFORMATION UPDATED December 2009
BOGUS EMAILS
If you receive E Mail that you think could be a scam please check the following web site for information.
http://www.safefromscams.co.uk/

THE SILENT KILLER
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer. It can infiltrate your home through the most apparently harmless devices, like your boiler or cooker. It is impossible to see or smell.
BEWARE OF COWBOYS
CORGI estimate there could be as many as 20,000 people working illegally on gas in the UK. With carbon monoxide claiming needless lives you must never use an illegal gas worker, they could put you and your family in danger. Illegal work is gas work carried out for gain by a person not working on behalf of a CORGI registered business. Such work is far more likely to be unsafe and, in such cases, the illegal gas worker far less likely to offer support to the customer in the event of an incident.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF USING A COWBOY?
A cowboy may seem like a cheap option however they will probably cost you much, much more in the long term:
1. A cowboy is not inspected by CORGI
2. A cowboy will not keep up to date with training
3. A cowboy may not use the correct equipment
4. A cowboy may not hold the correct qualifications to do the type of work you need
5. A cowboy may leave you with unsafe appliances
6. A cowboy will not provide a Declaration of Safety Certificate or Building Regulations Compliance Certificate
for any installation or replacement of a gas appliance in your home. As a home owner you will find it beneficial to include this in your Home Information Pack.

FARMS AND EQUESTRIAN ESTABLISHMENTS
Please ensure that any equipment stored in barns, work sheds etc. is permanently identifiably marked so that it can be traced back to the owner if recovered. Such marking reduces the value of the item to the thief, as it is identifiable.

Consideration should be given to stamping with dies and a hammer, engraving, Smartwater or a corrosive paint that burns into the metal. Data Tag micro chipping can be used on tack, particularly saddles.

Security measurers such as Alarms, CCTV and Security Lighting should be checked for functionality and repaired if broken. Try to ensure that vehicle access gates are securely locked at night to prevent easy access by vehicles.

Should you witness anything untoward happening on your property please ring the Police immediately using the 999 systems. Try to obtain any details of vehicles used and the occupants.

RESIDENTS REMINDED TO BE SHED SAVVY THIS WINTER.
Items ranging from bikes, power tools, camping equipment and a drive on lawnmower have been stolen from seven sheds over the last two weeks in Arnold, Stanton on the Wolds, Bingham, Ruddington and West Bridgford.

Police crime reduction manager Robert Vaughan Newton says: "The best way for people to protect their property and deter thieves is to store expensive property inside their home or garage.

"Make sure you mark your bike with your post code or house number and use a bike lock. Marking it will help identify it as your property if it's stolen. If using a shed, make sure it is reinforced with stronger material, better locks and use an alarm. Shed alarms are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased from most DIY stores."

BAG THEFT WARNING ISSUED
People out and about in south Nottinghamshire are being reminded to look after their bags. The warning comes after five were stolen in a week from people shopping or socializing.

Two handbags were stolen during a party in Colwick on three more were stolen from people at supermarkets in Arnold. These bags were stolen from shopping trolleys, which were either left unattended or whilst the victim was distracted by doing the shopping.

Police crime reduction manager Robert Vaughan Newton says: "Never leave your bag unattended - as it will only take a thief a few seconds to steal it.

When at a pub or party don't put your bag on the floor to dance round or leave it on a table or on the back of a chair. Make sure you have it at all times or give it to someone you trust to hold. When shopping make sure you remain vigilant to your surroundings and never leave a bag in an unattended

VISA & MASTERCARD TELEPHONE CREDIT CARD SCAM - Warning from Trading Standards (Shortened version – Dec 2009)
The callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA and Mastercard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.

The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London?"

Then we say a credit needs to go to your account and will demonstrate that they know your card provider’s 0800 phone no. and will EVENTUALLY GET ROUND

TO ASKING FOR THE THREE DIGIT SECURITY NUMBER ON THE BACK OF THE CARD – REAL CARD PROVIDERS NECER ASK FOR THIS AND IT SHOULD NOT BE DISCLOSED TO A CALLER OF WHOM YOUR ARE ABSOLUTELY CERTION OF – and one where you instigated the call.

WATER BOAD SCAM
Severn Trent Water Plc. have experienced a high number of complaint calls over the last two days from members of the public who have received fake telephone calls from persons purporting to be from Severn Trent Water. The fake callers state that the householders owe money to Severn Trent and that Severn Trent representatives need to visit the householder to collect this. This is clearly not the normal protocol for the company. Severn Trent will not cold call, either on the doorstep or by telephone. Any billing anomalies are dealt with at the time of billing and never at the doorstep!

If anyone has any queries with Severn Trent they should contact the call centre on 08457 500 500. Alternatively they should call the police on 0300 300 9999.

If anyone attends your home claiming to be from the "Waterboard" DO NOT LET THEM INTO YOUR HOME and phone the Police on 999.

Legitimate callers will not mind their identities and reason for being at your home being checked.

POSTAL SCAM
It has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam:

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 will be billed £15 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or ICSTIS (the Premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk

DOOR TO DOOR SALES
Door Salesman are offering items for sale, despite being told that the occupant did not wish to purchase anything from him he refused to leave and became aggressive. It was only when the Ladies Husband intervened that the man left. He was seen to vault over the wall into a neighbour's garden and was later seen at other properties in the street. He had no identification on his person."

The Salesman is described below:
White Male; Early 20's; Skin head; Wearing: Jeans; T shirt; Fleece jacket; carrying a large holdall.

Please note: Persons who travel from door to door offering items for immediate sale require a Peddlers Certificate. These are only obtainable from the police and are not given to persons with Criminal Convictions. You should ask to see such documentation. Trading in the manner described without one is an offence.

Be aware that it is not unknown for such activity to be used as cover to reconnoitre dwellings prior to carrying out burglaries. Do not allow such persons into your property or leave them unattended on the doorstep. Partially close the door behind you so that they cannot see into your home.

If such people are in your area inform the police by calling 0300 300 99 99 (new none emergency number for Nottinghamshire Police). If you suspect criminal offences are taking place use the 999 system.

AND MORE RECENTLY….
There have recently been a number of incidents reported nationwide where individuals have been selling door to door offering merchandise branded with the 'Keep Britain Working' logo eg:- cloths, tea towels etc. Reports received by Reed Recruiting who initiated this project back by a broad range of businesses and the three main political parties would indicate that these people are bogus.
Such persons claim to be young ex-offenders who are selling these items as an alternative to crime. This is untrue. The sponsors of the scheme confirm that the use of their name and logo is totally unauthorised and these individuals are in no way associated with their scheme.
Anyone selling goods for immediate delivery at the door require a Peddlers Certificate issued by the police, to trade without a certificate constitutes an offence.
Please inform the police if you are approached by such individuals.

MOBILITY SCOOTERS Recently a resident in the area who is a mobility scooter user was contacted by a company, calling themselves British Mobility Services purporting to be the maintenance company for her mobility scooter. They supposedly worked on it for half an hour, charging her £40 for the work. After they had left, she checked her records and found it was not her usual company, she was told that no other company are authorised to operate on their behalf. Subsequent attempts to contact British Mobility Services failed, and they are completely untraceable.
This raises issues of not only the safety of the equipment, but the security of the infirm, allowing these people into their homes.
Do not allow anyone into your home, unless you are satisfied that they are genuine. We can only reiterate that all genuine employees of organisations carry identification cards. They will not mind if you make them wait outside while you check their identity. Close the door and 'phone the organisation to verify, do not use the number the caller gives. Get it from the directory or from previous correspondence.