February 2021 NHW Updates

Lloyds Bank, Text Message Scam

One of our coordinators in Cheddar, has very kindly made me aware of this latest scam. I then had a conversation with a very helpful member of staff from Lloyds bank who offered some useful tips.

The scam itself which you can view on the attached document comes from a random mobile number suggesting a new payee has been linked in your app and to click on the below link if this was NOT you. (Please do not do this)

Having queried this, two details are missing. When contacted in this way legitimately by Lloyds they will always include your name and the last 4 digits of your account number.

If you do receive one of these messages do please take a moment to ensure these details are included, if indeed you do bank with Lloyds.

Attachments: scam-text

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Car Crime

A car has been damaged overnight on the 18th whilst parked in The Bury, Locking, WSM. The offender cut the Catalytic Convertor from the Honda make car. Do please remain alert to any suspicious activity particularly around the underside of any vehicles. Honda, Toyota & Lexus models in particular and report anything you feel unusual, this may include observing more than one person, jacking a vehicle in a hurry and cutting noises.

Please read the attached advice.

Attachments: catalytic-convertor-theft-prevention

Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting Ref number: 5221038273 stating NHW Release or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Thank you for your support.

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National Insurance Scam (Telephone Call)

We have been made aware that a scam has been circulating where the offender is claiming either your National Insurance number has been compromised or has been used in serious crime. This scam is conducted via a telephone call which is automated, promptly followed by the usual request for action on the part of the recipient to press 1 on the keypad, again 'please do not do this'. You may feel pressured into doing so as the message may state they are from the National Crime Agency, 'they are not'. This is a scam.

If you receive a call claiming your National Insurance number has been compromised asking you to press a button on your keypad, please terminate the call.

Any general National Insurance enquiries can be found here (PDF)

Attachments: do-not-press-1

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Distraction Burglary

AMBERLANDS CLOSE, BACKWELL, sometime between 3:30pm and 3:45pm on Tuesday the 16th of February, a mixed race male has knocked on a door when answered he said he had a food delivery, the resident refused delivery, the male then asked for a note to say they refused delivery, while the victim went to get some paper the male has stepped inside and has stolen a purse, which contained cash,

Please remind your members, family and friends to ask for identification of callers and if necessary close the door while checking, genuine callers will understand the need for security,

When reporting a crime or giving information through Crimestoppers, No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to a police officer.

If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the Police on 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or via their online form.

Please quote Reference number 5221034194, Thank you.

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Residential Burglary

A property has been burgled between 7pm on the 10th and 3:15pm on the 11th in Bristol Road, Huish, WSM. The offender appears to have forced entry to the property via the front door, tool marks are evident on both the door and door frame. Once inside a search of 3 rooms was conducted before the offender departed with a small amount of cash.

Any information please contact the Police on 101 quoting Ref number: 5221030533 stating NHW Release or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Thank you for your support.

Attachments: burglary-prevention-advice

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Drugs seized after search near Banwell

We seized drugs, cash and an unlawful knife following a search of a rural property near Banwell last week.

Officers from the Operation Remedy team set up to target burglary, drug and knife crime searched the address on Wednesday afternoon, 3 February.

They seized cannabis plants and dried cannabis, growing equipment, a flick knife, cash and also substances believed to be cocaine and heroin.

A man is due to be interviewed in connection with the seizures at a later date.

If you or someone you care for is affected by drug use, there’s information on the support and advice available on North Somerset Council’s website.

If you have information about drug crime, talk to your neighbourhood policing team. You can get in touch online through our website, or call 101.

If you don’t want to talk to us, you can give information 100 per cent anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never tell us who you are, just what you know.

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BT Telephone Scam

One of our schemes from North Somerset has kindly notified me of an old scam that has re appeared. Here are the basics of what you need to look out for and be aware of:

A caller will state they are from BT, and you have an unsettled balance on your account of £****, you will be disconnected if immediate payment if not made and the bill will rise when re connected at a later date.

When challenged, they provide a false name, last used was 'John Peacock' and a strong foreign accent was detected, the caller states they can prove they are from BT and goes through a process where they pretend to disconnect the line momentarily. The recipient is asked to end the call and try and call someone else which they find is not possible The reason this is not possible is the caller had initiated the call and only they can terminate, they simply mute the phone to make it appear they are not there, this gives the impression the line is dead. When the Scam caller hears you stop trying to call out, they will clear the line and call you back giving the impression they have re connected your line.

At this point you may feel reassured this is genuine, IT IS NOT.

If in any doubt call your provider and check with them, never hand over your bank details to someone that calls you out of the blue.

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