New orchard planted in Honeybourne Allotments – A Fruitful Partnership!

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Thank you to all the allotment holders and residents who helped plant 15 fruit trees at Honeybourne Allotments on Saturday 1st February. The trees, a mix of local apple and plum varieties, were provided by the Coronation Living Heritage Fund through Worcestershire County Council Countryside Service.

The trees are to be maintained by the plot holders. The fruit produced in the orchard will be a valuable source of locally grown produce for the community.  These trees will supply shade and habitat for animals, store carbon dioxide, improve air quality, and contribute to climate change mitigation.

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The Fraud and Scam Bulletin – February

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Romance Fraud

An increasing number of people are falling victim to romance fraud, which do not only cause financial harm, but also can inflict emotional and mental damage to those victims.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, romance may be high on many people’s agenda as they seek an appropriate way to celebrate the day. However, at the same time criminals are using this as an opportunity to devise new scams to defraud their victims on dating Sites and social media.

At this time of the year there is a rise in Romance Frauds as the fraudsters draw their victims into false relationship, gain their confidence, before the requests for money start to come in. These are accompanied by heart rending pleas about personal, or family problems, and emergencies which need finance.

Are any platforms safe?

Fraudsters continue to target users of popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as dating sites such as Tinder and Plenty of Fish, and many others.

Messaging sites such as Google Hangouts and WhatsApp may also be used to find unsuspecting victims.

As well as conventional dating platforms, online Gaming platforms may be used to seek potential victims since there are fewer protective measures in place.

Who are their targets?

Females over 40 years are common victims as well as younger males, but users also need to be aware on age related dating platforms too.

How does it work?

Basically, criminals will go to great lengths to gain the victim’s trust by claiming they are in a genuine relationship which is built up over time

  • They will manipulate and exploit the victim to the extent they are persuaded they are in a real and genuine relationship
  • They create convincing persona such as military personnel, medical staff, engineers and many others to convince the victim they are genuine
  • Then, when they ask for money, the victim is convinced there is no problem with the request
  • The requests can be very emotive citing reasons such as medical emergencies, travel costs, payment of fines or taxes, or even claiming their bank account has been frozen

Tell-tale signs a friend or family member is involved in a Romance Scam

  • They may be very secretive about their relationship or provide excuses for why their online partner has not video called or met them in person.
  • They may be unwilling to discuss their online relationship
  • They may express very strong emotions and commitment to someone they have only just met
  • They have sent, or are planning to send, money to someone they have not met face-to-face. They may take out loans or withdraw from their pension to send money.

Stay safe

  • Never send money to someone you have never met in person
  • Never part with your bank or personal details to strangers online however genuine they claim to be
  • The fact that they may request payment to another named bank account, not their own, can be another tell-tale sign of a fraudster
  • Always seek advice from somebody trusted before parting with any money in any format, whether it is bank transfers, PayPal, Gift Cards or bitcoin currencies.
  • Profile photos are very often fake, you can research any image by doing a “Reverse Image” search to find photos that have been copied from elsewhere.
  • Never share images of yourself that you would not want your own family and friends to see

 

SAFER INTERNET DAY 2025

SAFER INTERNET DAY 2025 takes place 0n 11th February 2025 based on the theme of

“Too good to be True? Protecting yourself and others online”

Each year the event covers an online issue/theme relevant to the things younger people see and experience online. Topics covered include:

  • The impact of AI and its use by fraudsters
  • What role can government and the Internet industry take to tackle this?
  • What changes do young people, want to see to help protect them?

A full set of resources are available online for schools and other organisations covering all young age groups – https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2025

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours

Road close sign

PUBLIC NOTICE Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (U45017 School Street, Honeybourne) (Temporary Closure) Order 2025

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Proposed Order: to close that part of U45017 School Street from its junction with Corner Farm Drive (NSG Ref. 45400383) to its junction with Reades Piece (NSG Ref. 45401110).

Reason: New customer connection by Wales & West Utilities Ltd

Exemptions: to permit access to any land or premises fronting the highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to allow the works to be undertaken.

Alternative route: U45017 School Street (part), C2049 High Street, U45017 School Street (part) and vice versa.

Maximum duration: 18 Months. Anticipated duration: 4 days (24hrs) Commencing: 17 February 2025

Thomas Pollock Head of Commercial Law (Legal & Governance) County Hall Spetchley Road Worcester

23 January 2025

 

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The Fraud & Scam Bulletin JANUARY 2025

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NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

At the start of another New Year, what better time to make a new resolution to examine how we can protect ourselves from Fraudsters, strengthen our protection and do all we can to avoid being a victim of the scammers in the coming months.

There is no doubt the criminals will be planning their next moves to defraud any unsuspecting members of the public, and their methods are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. The use of AI to generate messages, images and clone voices increases the need for greater vigilance in all we do online.

What can we do?

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO PROTECT

  1. Use strong and separate passwords for each of your online accounts. 3 Random Words with at least 8 characters and a combination of upper and lower case, numbers and symbols.
  2. 2 Step Verification (2SV) – Also known as 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) for your online accounts adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or PIN to confirm your identity when you log in.
  3. Take time to stop and think before continuing a phone call, or clicking on a link from an unknown source. Never be pressurised into making a quick decision. Always check the email address before opening emails claiming to be from bona fide organisations such as your Bank, Government organisations or other businesses.

 

OTHER SIMPLE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

  1. Install the latest Software and App updates on your devices as these often contain security patches to protect you from hackers
  2. Back up your data regularly, by storing your important files in a separate location such as an external hard drive or on the Cloud. This way all is not lost if you experience a ransomware attack, device loss or damage.
  3. Be careful when using public Wi-Fi networks as they are often unsecured and can expose your activities to others. Using a Virtual Private Network – VPN – can protect your privacy.
  4. Protect your personal information online, and do not share too much information about yourself on social media, online forums and other similar platforms. This is how you could become a target for scammers and identity thieves. Check your privacy settings on Social Media to make sure only your real friends see your posts.
  5. Beware of your Digital Footprint – every time you go online you leave a digital “footprint” which can show where you are and what you are doing. Once you post a file or photo online it may stay there forever and be used by others, so do not share anything that may cause you problems or embarrassment in the future.
  6. Educate yourself and your family about online safety by learning how to spot common online scams, and how to avoid them, and use the internet responsibly and respectfully to protect you and your family.

If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. Scam mobile calls can also be forwarded to 7726, followed by the word “CALL”, then the scam phone number

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

For further information visit:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/    https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

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The Fraud & Scam Bulletin December 2024 Your monthly update direct from West Mercia Police on the latest scams and frauds

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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

No sooner has the threat of Black Friday passed, then we enter the full-on Christmas shopping period, and once again the criminals will want to tempt the unwary online with those “too good to be true” offers.

So, what are the options, face the crowds in the shopping malls, or relax at home and do the Christmas Shop online?

Whilst the internet is the first port of call for Christmas Gift bargains for many in terms of speed, convenience and savings, it also provides a great opportunity for Fraudsters to profit at your expense.

Even when you have been wary throughout the year with your online shopping, it can be so easy to be caught out in the heat of the moment in the rush up to Christmas when our minds are elsewhere, or just too busy to carry out a check to see if that “bargain” really is a bargain.

Also, beware of those Phishing emails claiming to be from genuine charities and playing on the season of goodwill. They may even display seemingly genuine logos for national charities, such as Red Cross or Salvation Army, but the charity will never see your money.

So always go directly to the chosen charity’s website to donate, and always beware of door to door, and street collectors if they cannot show genuine identification for the actual charity. So once again, it is safer to donate to that charity direct.

Therefore, once again, please make family members aware, particularly those in the vulnerable age groups. Especially be mindful when shopping on Social Media platforms, as this is by far the most likely medium for shopping and auction frauds to take place.

HOW TO STAY SAFE

So online shoppers are urged to protect their accounts. Do use secure payment methods to stay ahead of the threat from fraudsters who are particularly active with the build-up in Christmas shopping online.

  • Protect your accounts: set up 2-step verification and use 3 Random Word passwords to prevent Cyber criminals gaining access to any of your accounts (see Three random words –  https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/)
  • Be wary about where you shop online – check out Online Retailers, especially ones you have not used before and make sure they are legitimate
  • Don’t pay for goods or services by bank transfer unless you know and trust the person. Payments via bank transfer may not offer you sufficient protection if you become a victim of fraud.
  • Pay Securely: use a Credit Card when shopping online as most major Credit Card companies protect online purchases. Also using a Credit Card rather than a Debit Card means your main bank account will not be affected if your details are stolen.
  • Whenever you pay always look for the “Closed Padlock “symbol in the web address bar showing your connection is secure
  • Finally, Do not let Christmas come early for criminals and fraudsters

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED

OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT

Take Five to Stop Fraud

  • STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
  • CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
  • PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. Scam mobile calls can also be forwarded to 7726, followed by the word “CALL”, then the scam phone number

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

For further information visit:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/    https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

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The Christmas tree was erected today (26th November)

You are all invited to come to the Switch on this Friday ,29th November at the Village Hall!

There will be free fairground rides for children, balloon modelling, hot food, a pop-up bar, raffle and craft fayre.  Santa will also be there to meet the children.

Craft Fayre from 5pm – 8 pm

Christmas Tree lights Switch on from 6 pm – 8pm

Please note that there will be no parking at the village hall.

     

Community Orchard

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Your Parish Council will be receiving a number of fruit trees from the Heritage Coronation Fund which we would like plant at Honeybourne Allotments, Mickleton Road. Worcestershire County Council will be providing expert help and advice but we will need your help. We plan to plant the trees on a Saturday in January. If you can volunteer a few hours of  your time please can you let the Parish Clerk know by emailing her at

clerk@honeybourne-pc.gov.uk

 

Better Housing Better Health fuel poverty service

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The Better Housing Better Health service is a fuel poverty service run by the National Energy Foundation and has recently opened in Worcestershire, working to help residents living in or at risk of living in fuel poverty to access advice and support. They have recently reopened their Emergency Fuel Voucher Scheme, which means they can now issue vouchers worth £49 to anyone on a prepayment meter with any supplier. Their service has no eligibility requirements and to qualify for an Emergency Fuel Voucher, a resident only needs to be low on credit on their prepayment meter.

Alongside this, they have a helpline that’s free to call where their team can give valuable tips on how to stay warm at home, provide items to improve energy efficiency, sign up those in need of additional support to the Priority Services Register and access grants for energy efficiency grant funding.