CLIFTON NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

There have been no reported crimes during the previous four weeks. The focus this month’s in on identity fraud. Here are some tips:

POST – Make sure your letter box is secure and no one can take your mail. When you throw away any letters, documents etc. shred them first if they have anything that is confidential e.g. date of birth, PIN, passwords, account details or any other personal information. Criminals can cause problems if they have your name, address and just one other item of personal information.

PHONE – Do not give anyone any personal information over the phone if they call you. To reduce scam calls etc. opt in to the Telephone Preference Service which should stop some calls. If you have a BT phone line opt in to BT Call Protect, BT will automatically block many known scam/nuisance calls and you can block any other calls you do not want. If you receive a call, and to reassure you they ask you to call them back do so from another phone e.g. your mobile. They can hold their call so irrespective of what number you dial they are still on the end of the line. Do not give any callers details of your PC, laptop, iPad etc. even if they say you have a fault on you broadband etc. and they are from BT, Microsoft, your broadband provider etc. If they gain remote access to your device they can steal all sorts of personal information.

COMPUTER/MOBILE – Do not give anyone any personal information, similar to POST and PHONE above. Be very wary of “phishing” eMails/texts, particularly if they ask you to click on a link or go to a website. These may be identified; if the senders address is not genuine e.g. santanderbank@gerrybrown.co.uk , they are addressed to dear sir/madam/customer rather than you by name, or bt.com@customerserviceajs.com saying your eMail service is about to lapse click here to continue using your eMail address.

SOCIAL MEDIA – This can tell criminals a good deal about you and your life even if you have not given them access. If they have obtained your name and address from social media or elsewhere and they note you have said you are having a great time on the beach they will call at your house with a good chance you will be away and they can rummage around at leisure.

There is far more than this, so for more information go to https://www.warwickshire.police.uk and select CRIME AND SAFETY.

Please remember the MOBILE POLICE STATION is available for you in Lilbourne Rd; next visits 23rd May and 27th June 2018 from 11.00am to 12.00pm.

All households in the village are covered by Clifton NHW so there is no need to apply for membership. However, if you would like to know more or take an active part in CliftonNHW please contact Chairman David Glover on 01788 535574 djglover1951@gmail.com