PANWA Members
I am somewhat confused regarding the PANWA situation - this is an understatement!
I believe that HINWA have required that PANWA be shutdown. Hopefully PANWA members have been given an opportunity to engage with HINWA.
Sorry to add to any confusion - but I am where I am!
Cllr Bob Ayer
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Kathryn Morning (Police, PCSO, East Hampshire District) |
Dear Petersfield Residents
We are sending out this Hants Alert so that you can be aware of a new trend of Gift Card fraud.
ITUNES GIFT CARDS FRAUD
Police are warning people of a trend that has hit the UK where fraudsters contact victims claiming to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and other corporate companies. They then trick them into paying bogus debts and taxes using iTunes gift cards.
Over the past few months fraudsters have been tricking victims into buying iTunes Gift Cards and asking them to read out/send the serial code for payment in various types of fraud.
Victims are being contacted in a variety of methods by fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC and are told they owe an outstanding debt. In the hundreds of cases reported to Action Fraud in the past month, the fraudsters all ask for payment in iTunes gift card voucher codes.
Fraudsters are now moving onto iTunes gift cards to collect money from victims because they can be easily redeemed and easily sold on. The scammers don’t need the physical card to redeem the value and instead get victims to read out the serial code on the back over the phone.
Fraudsters are contacting victims in three ways:
- Voicemails: Fraudsters are leaving victims automated voicemails saying that they owe HMRC unpaid taxes. When victims call back on the number provided, they are told that there is a warrant out in their name and if they don’t pay, the police will arrest them.
- Spoofed calls: Fraudsters are cold calling victims using a spoofed 0300 200 3300 number or foreign numbers and convincing them that they owe unpaid tax to HMRC.
- Text messages: Fraudsters are sending text messages that require victims to urgently call back on the number provided. When victims call back, they are told that there is a case being built against them for an outstanding debt and they must pay immediately.
One victim had reported purchasing over 15 iTunes gift card vouchers from Argos at £100 pounds each and handing them over to fraudsters on the phone after receiving an automated voice message. Another victim handed gift card voucher codes worth £15,000 after receiving a cold call.
This new trend that has only surfaced in the UK over the past month has been used by scammers in the USA who have been posing as police, attorneys, debt collectors and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents, communications companies.
- How to protect yourself:
- HMRC will never use texts to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty or ever ask for payment in this way.
- Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number you see on your telephones display.
- If you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately.
- No government body, legitimate business, banks etc will ask for payment by ITunes vouchers.
- If you are unsure, or something doesn’t seem right, don’t do it. Get advice.
Kind Regards
PCSO MORNING 16171
Petersfield
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Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National) |
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has identified a number of reports where job seekers are being targeted by fraudsters trying to obtain personal and banking details from them, or requesting money to secure accommodation.
Individuals registering with job seeking websites or searching for jobs on The Student Room website are being contacted by bogus recruitment companies/businesses asking them to complete application and interview forms which request personal details and banking details, as well as copies of identity documents.
In some instances the applicant is invited along for interview, either in person or over the phone, to make the process look as legitimate as possible. This is impacting on students and graduates looking for work both in the UK and overseas. Some job seekers, as well as divulging personal details, have paid money to the fraudsters in order to secure a bogus rental property alongside the job offer.
How to protect yourself:
- Check emails and documents from the recruiter for poor spelling and grammar – this is often a sign that fraudsters are at work.
- If visa fees are mentioned, ask the embassy representing the country where you believe you will be working how to obtain a visa and how much it costs. Check that the answers the potential employer or recruiter gave you are the same – if they’re not, it may be a sign of fraud.
- Carry out thorough research to confirm that the organisation offering you the job actually exists. If it does exist, contact the organisation directly using contact details obtained through your own research or their website to confirm the job offer is genuine.
What to do if you’re a victim:
- If you think your bank details have been compromised or if you believe you have been defrauded contact your bank immediately.
- Stop all communication with the ‘agency’ but make a note of their details and report it to Action Fraud.
- Warn the operators of the job website you used that their site is being used by fraudsters.
- If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
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Tobey Mason (Police, PCSO, East Hampshire District) |
Sometime between the hours of 08:30 - 17:00 on the 10/11/2017 - there has been two burglaries reported to police from Heath Road , Petersfield. Person's Unknown have gained access to the properties by using an implement to force windows open at the rear of the houses.
If you have any information about these occurrence's please call 101 and quote the following reference numbers: 44170438594 / 44170438794Please ensure that your property is kept locked and secure at all times. If you are away from your property for a long period it is a good idea to get a neighbour to keep an eye on your property until your return.
Please follow the below link for crime prevention advice regarding keeping your homes secure:
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/advice-and-information/crime-prevention/
Please check your belongings to see if you can identify any unique etched code if so please sign up to immobilise at www.immobilise.com a national property register, this is free to sign up.
Please ensure you are vigilant at all times, calling police to report any suspicious activity, not just around your own property but anything suspicious in your residential area and community. In an emergency use 999 or 101 for non emergency. It is not too late to report any suspicious activity to police.
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Almera Toogood (Police, PCSO, East Hampshire District) |
There has been a burglary to a private home along Kiln Lane Buriton during the morning on 21st September 2017 between 09.00 - 13.00hrs
Your neighbourhood policing team are urging the community to come forward with any information that you may have. Please contact us on 101 and quote the reference number 44170366507 or alternatively you can email PCSO Almy Toogood on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Visit the Hampshire Constabulary website for comprehensive crime prevention advice at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ and register your unique personal property onto a national data base with Immobilise at https://www.immobilise.com/