Archive for category: News & Information

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/

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

 

WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

PUBLIC NOTICE

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

(C2049 Stratford Road, Honeybourne) (Temporary Closure) Order 2024

Proposed Order: to close that part of C2049 Stratford Road from its junction with C2274 Mickleton Road from a distance of 202 metres in a north easterly direction to its junction with C2274 Mickleton Road for a distance of 30 metres in a northerly direction
Reason: Bridge inspection works by Network Rail.

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: C2049 Stratford Road (part), C2006 Station Road, C2006 Buckle Street, C2114 Pebworth Road, C2114 Front Street, C2114 Chapel Road, C2049 Stratford Road (part) and vice versa.

Maximum duration: 18 Months. Anticipated duration: 1 night (21:00 – 05:00) Commencing: 15 December 2024

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

21 November 2024

BLACK FRIDAY

Are they bargains or scams ?

Whilst “Black Friday” is a relatively new event in the UK, it did not take long for criminals to seize another opportunity to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of their hard-earned cash.

Although Black Friday started life on the last Friday in November, this year, as in previous years, seems to start earlier and earlier each year and the adverts are already appearing on our TV screens.

So take your time –

• In the heat of the moment, it can be hard to tell if it is a bargain or a scam, especially in the run up to Black Friday!
• Criminals may try to trick you into purchasing goods/services that don’t exist by advertising them at too good to be true prices.
• Protect your money and information by only using retailers you trust, or authorised sellers named on official websites when shopping for deals online.
• Beware of Phishing emails that appear to come from reputable retailers with “too good to miss” offers, never click on links in emails from unrecognised senders
• Check out the security of the Website by looking for the Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. in the website address and the padlock symbol which should be in the address bar, and not in the body of the site, as confirmation of a website’s security
• Fake websites can copy mainstream online retailers and enticing buyers with unbeatable prices, always stick with well-known, reputable retailers online
• Some online sellers may be selling counterfeit products at Black Friday prices

 

SPOTTED AN ULTRA-LOW PRICE FOR A SOLD-OUT GAMES CONSOLE?

#TAKEFIVE – IT COULD BE A SCAM.

• Does the offer sound too good to be true? Are they refusing to provide you with additional photos? Do they want you to pay up front by bank transfer?
• Only use the secure payment method recommended by retailers and auction sites, where possible, use a credit card for purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 as you receive protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

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/