ALERTS

 

This page gives details of crimes and scams that are relevant to residents in the Lewes area.

 

If you know of any cautionary information that may be helpful to Neighbourhood Watch please use the Contacts page to send information by email to the Web Developer.

 

 

 

For more information:

 

 

1.     U Cash Scam

(Press here Nov’11)

 

 

2.     Computer Scam Alert

(Press here Sept’11)

 

 

3.     Beware Loan Scams

(Press here Sept’11)

 

 

4.     Police email Scam

(Press here May’11)

 

 

5.     Alarm Company Scam

(Press here Apr’11)

 

 

6.     A Survey that may lead to Foul Play

(Press here Nov’10)

 

 

7.     Another Postal Scam

(Press here Nov’10)

 

 

8.     Public Computer Users Beware

(Press here Nov’10)

 

 

9.     Dyson Owners Beware

(Press here Oct’10)

 

 

10. Motorists Beware

(Press here Sep ’10)

 

 

 

11. Another telephone scam

(Press here July ’10)

 

 

 

12. Direct Response Security

(Press here Feb’10)

 

 

 

13. Theft from Unattended Vehicles

(Press here Feb’10)

 

 

 

14. Scam Awareness

(Press here Feb’10)

 

 

 

15. Doorstep Traders

 

(Press here Oct’09)

 

 

16. Do you know this man?

 

(Press here May’09)

 

 

17. Distraction Burglary

 

(Press here Feb’09)

 

 

18. Water Board Conmen Warning

 

(Press here Feb’09)

 

 

19. New twist to telephone scams.

 

(Press here)

 

 

20. Purse Thefts in the Lewes area.

 

(Press here)

 

 

21. Christmas warning of a Postal Scam.

 

(Press here)

 

 

22. Third World Clothing Collection.

 

(Press here)

 

 

23. Rural garage breaks

 

(Press here)

 

 

 
This page is part of the website for the Lewes Town and Rural Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Click here to enter the website.

 

 
U Cash Scam


A scam phone call was made to an elderly lady in Chailey. The received call was from a Middle Eastern male who informed the lady that she was entitled to some money and that if she purchased some U-CASH vouchers to she would be given a cheque for a substantial sum.

 

The lady was told she could get the vouchers from local newsagents. The lady could not get the money together and the male stated he would call her back. A further call was made an hour later and she was asked again if she could get the money. After final call was received sometime later, the lady told the man not to call back.

 

The number the male called from is confirmed to be unused.

 

Police were advised and the manager of the local store was contacted. 

The store does not sell U-CASH vouchers.

 

Enquiries into this have shown that several people have received calls of this nature telling them to do exactly the same thing and that it is a confirmed scam.

 

Although this incident has occurred on Lewes District, it is not an isolated occurrence and could be occurring across the country.

 

Please be vigilant and report any suspicious incident to police on 101.

Or report via email at contact.centre@sussex.police.uk

 Return to Alert Index

 

 

 
 

 

 
Computer scam alert

 

East Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards Team is repeating its warning to residents and businesses about a scam involving bogus telephone callers who ring to say your computer has been attacked by a serious virus.

 

The warning follows a flurry of recent complaints to the Trading Standards team about the scam, which is believed to originate from call centres in India.

 

The scam starts with a call from someone who says they are from Microsoft. The caller says they’ve had reports from your internet service provider of a serious computer virus which, if not fixed, could cause your computer to completely crash. The owner is then asked to open various programmes on their computer that appear to show critical errors.

 

The caller then says the only way to fix the problem is to download a special programme from a website - which will cost £185. If the owner complies, not only will they have been scammed for this bogus ‘fix’ but also the programme they have downloaded will enable every bit of personal and financial data on their computer to be handed over to a complete stranger.

 

Microsoft has made it clear that they have absolutely no connection with the companies offering these ‘services’. Microsoft says it does not send unsolicited email or make unsolicited phone calls.

 

Councillor Carl Maynard, Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at the County Council said: “Very often, the victims of these types of scams are elderly or vulnerable people in our communities who may not be as confident or familiar with IT, computer programmes and email.

 

“Our advice is that if you receive an unsolicited email or telephone call that purports to be from Microsoft or any other company that you are not sure about then do not give out any of your personal information. Do not click on website links or download computer programmes. The best thing to do is delete the email or hang up the phone.”

 

Common scams ‘cyber criminals’ using the Microsoft name include:

• “You have won the Microsoft Lottery”

• Microsoft “requires credit card information to validate your copy of Windows”

• An unsolicited email message with ‘security updates’

• Someone from “Microsoft Tech Support” calls to fix your computer

 

For more information about the work of East Sussex County Council Trading Standards visit: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/consumeradvice.

 

For further information please contact: Martin Fitzgerald Tel: 01273 481691 Out of hours: 07974 427569 Email: martin.fitzgerald@eastsussex.gov.uk

 

Follow East Sussex County Council on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/eastsussexcc

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Beware of loan scams

Unscrupulous credit businesses are cashing in on people's desperation for loans during tough economic times.

That’s the latest warning from East Sussex County Council’s Trading Standards team following a significant number of complaints about these scams.
 

Many people have reported receiving unsolicited text messages or telephone calls from firms offering to find them an unsecured loan.

Those who accepted were then charged large up-front fees for little or no service in return.


One victim reported that she was called by a trader offering her an unsecured loan of £10,000, but that she would need to pay £150 to insure the loan. The consumer paid this money and the trader said the funds would be in her account within 20 minutes: the money never came.


As loans fail to materialise, scam victims are often only given a premium-rate telephone number to call to complain, usually with no positive outcome and leaving them further out of pocket.


Cllr Carl Maynard, County Council Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said: “In this current economic climate people are very financially vulnerable and these companies are preying on these individuals.


The Office of Fair Trading estimates that roughly 1 in 20 people fall victim to scams every year, but fewer than 5% of victims report their experience. We are urging people to be wary, to use our ‘how to spot a loan scam’ guide, and to report any suspicious loan offers.”


How to spot a loan scam:

 

§         Loan scammers often target people who are already in debt.

 

§         Avoid loan companies that say you have been pre-approved for a loan: legitimate lenders base their decision on whether you'll be able to repay.

§         Legitimate loan companies don't request money up front.

 

§         You should also be concerned if the loan application involves ‘wiring’ or sending money as soon as possible by Western Union, Moneygram, or similar methods.

§        
Stay away from loan companies that pressure you for an instant decision.


If you think you've been the victim of a loan scam, or you suspect a loan offer is a scam, contact Consumer Direct for advice.


If you are having trouble meeting existing payments on loans or you are having money worries, speak to Direct Debt line or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

For further general information about Trading Standards please visit the County Council’s website at: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/consumeradvice.


For further information please contact: Martin Fitzgerald Tel: 01273 481691 Out of hours: 07974 427569 Email: martin.fitzgerald@eastsussex.gov.uk


Follow East Sussex County Council on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/eastsussexcc

 

Return to Alert Index

 

 
 

 

 
Scam using what appears to be a police email

A had recent call from Hampshire Police asked if we had contacted a gentleman in Hampshire demanding that he give us his bank details, after refusing to pass them to an alleged government body (also a scam email). The original email told the man that as he had paid his council tax on time, he was due a refund of £7,000 .
The gentleman then received a threatening email from : communitymessaging@sussex.police.uk

This is most certainly not a Sussex Police email address.

All the forces throughout the UK must include a secure site within.(pnn)

eg cherie.lebozec@sussex.pnn.police.uk

I thought that Neighbourhood watch would benefit from this knowledge, should a similar scam be attempted in Sussex.  Cherie Le Bozec – 27906 Police Contact Centre Communications Investigator Tel 0845 60 70 999

 

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Alarm Company Scam

Dear Colleagues

This message is being sent out to all NHW Coordinators in East Sussex on behalf of  East Sussex Trading Standards.

Trading Standards have been made aware of an Alarm Company contacting Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinators and offering them an alarm system for £1.

The company allegedly state that the alarm system will be connected to the Fire Brigade and will have a one of maintenance charge that they will not disclose until they inspect your property.

We would ask all Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinators to contact us should they have been approached in this style.

Please contact paul.taylor@eastsussex.gov.uk

Regards

Paul Taylor
Fair Trading Officer
Trading Standards
Economy, Transport and Environment
East Sussex County Council

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A Survey that may lead to Foul Play

 

The following cautionary advice was received from ESCC Trading Standards

 

Police and Neighbourhood Watch would like to make people aware of the following report on BBC's "Watchdog" programme featured on 4 November 2010. This warned viewers about a consumer market research survey that is soon to be sent to over one million homes.  N-Power, Unilever and Talk-Talk are among the many companies sponsoring the survey that is to be sent out by TNT.

 

They request you fill in a questionnaire detailing your personal information and to leave it on your doorstep in an unsealed paper bag for collection the following day.

 

Anyone completing the questionnaire and leaving it in a paper bag outside their home will apparently get a free box of Thorntons chocolates (the bag is very distinctive since it says Thorntons Chocolates in big letters on the bag).

 

The questionnaire is five pages long and contains one hundred and eighty six questions about your personal circumstances.  The Information Commissioner's Office has stated that;


"These surveys usually require people to provide a large amount of personal information - ranging from whether they have any outstanding medical conditions, to details of their household income. Anyone approached to fill in one of these surveys should think twice before leaving information like this on their doorstep. They should be aware that anyone could potentially pick it up, opening the way to identity theft. People completing these forms should also understand who will have access to their information and what it will be used for."

 

More advice and information is available from the Watchdog website link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2010/11/tnt_survey.html

Return to Alert Index

 

 

 
 

 

 
Another Postal Scam
 

The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam that has been confirmed by Royal Mail:
 
Beware of a card posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service)

suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel

and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).
 
DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize.
 
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you may be billed £315 for the phone call.
 
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Customer services 0845 7740740.

 

Return to Alert Index

 

 

 
 

 

 

Public Computer Users Beware


PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHENEVER YOU'RE USING
A public computer (Like INTERNET CAFES, HOTELS, ETC ).
CHECK THE BACK OF THE PC AND SEE IF THE BELOW DEVICE IS THERE
IF SO, then DO NOT USE IT!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

New storing device (also known as a key logger) fits at the end of the keyboard cable
connecting to the PC specialized to save all typed keys in it.  


Mostly could be used in net cafes, exhibitions, hotels and airports therefore be careful especially the people who use the internet in these places to enter their bank accounts online or any other important sites.


After you enter the bank account and leave the PC it will be easy to open your account again as all what you have typed has been saved in the Black device.

Therefore, you should check the PC for any suspicious piece behind it before using the net in public places for important sites.

(This warning comes from NARPO, National Association Of Retired Police Officers)

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Dyson Owners Beware

 

The Manageress of the Dyson Service Centre in Lower Dicker has advised us about a scam aimed at Dyson owners.

 

The perpetrators cold call by telephone. If householder admits to having a Dyson they are told that a full service will be carried out for between £30 and £60 and can be carried out on their premises. Two men arrive in a nearly new small white van. All they do is change the filters in a matter of minutes before making off with the requested payment. The men said they were from Croydon.

 

It was brought to the attention of the Manageress of the Dyson Centre. She has advised the Trading Standards and asks that if anyone received a cold call can they please phone the Dyson Service Centre (Tel: 01323 844228) as they are monitoring the situation.

Return to Alert Index

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Subject: THIS IS NOT A JOKE.
Police Warning - worth a read

Worth Passing On! 
This is happening now!

Sad, especially if you are inclined to 'help' people...

While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I saw an infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it.  For whatever reason, I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of thoughts running through my head.  But when I got to my destination, I called the  Police and they were going to check it out. But, this is what the Police advised even before they went out there to check....

"There are several things to be aware of ... Gangs and thieves are now plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women)to stop their vehicle and get out of the car.

"There is a gang initiation reported by the local Police  where  gangs are placing a car seat by the road...with a fake baby in
It...waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the abandoned baby.  
 
"Note that the location of this car seat is usually beside a wooded or grassy (field) area and the person  -- woman  -- will be dragged into the woods, beaten and raped, and usually left for dead.  If it's a man, they're usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead, too.
 
DO NOT STOP FOR ANY  REASON!!!
 
    DIAL 9-9-9
AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW, BUT DON'T EVEN SLOW DOWN.

"IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSCREEN, DO NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR,  DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPER  AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED
WITH WATER BECOME MILKY AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5%,  AND  YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINALS.
 
THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS, SO PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES.

THESE ARE DESPERATE TIMES AND THESE ARE UNSAVOURY INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET WHAT THEY WANT."
 
 
Please talk to your loved ones about this. This is a new tactic used.  Please be safe.  
 
Get started NOW -- SEND THIS MESSAGE TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES TO BE CAREFUL AND AWARE OF EVERYTHING AROUND THEM SO AS NOT TO BECOME A VICTIM.

 Return to Alert Index

 

 

 
 

 

 

ANOTHER TELEPHONE SCAM

This message was sent out to all NHW Coordinators in July 2010 to raise awareness of a current trend in fraudulent telephone calls. This telephone fraud has occurred in the East Grinstead area and they may start targeting elsewhere in Sussex.

"There has been a report of cold callers advising that the receiver has won the lottery in another country. They are asked to send money - usually around £100 to receive the winnings. More calls are then received later asking for additional money with the excuses that the cheque has been 'lost in the post' or in this incident, 'lost in a fire at Heathrow'.

In this instance the caller asked for money to be sent via WESTERN UNION to PANAMA."

Please make your neighbours aware.

To contact your local officer or PCSO visit www.sussex.police.uk or call 0845 60 70 999

 Return to Alert Index
     

 

 
 

 

 

DIRECT RESPONSE SECURITY

 I would like to make you aware that a salesperson from the above company, which is a legitimate company, has been cold calling by telephone to interest the householder in purchasing an alarm system.  This company has been misleading people by informing them that this system is approved by the Police.  This is false.  If you do receive a call I would suggest you refuse to engage in conversation with them and replace your receiver.  Do not divulge any personal information to the company.

Yvonne Mortlock
Police Community Support Officer

Neighbourhood Policing Team
Salvington Ward - Worthing
Centenary House | Durrington Lane | Worthing | BN13 2PQ
Telephone 0845 60 70 999 Ext. 81367 Mobile: 07775 827021

 Return to Alert Index     

 

 

 

 

 

Theft From Unattended Motor Vehicles

 

Although weather patterns rarely effect hardened hikers or dog walkers using rural locations to exercise themselves and their dogs with a change in seasons there is an increase in the amount of people who will visit beauty spot locations for leisure pursuits or to enjoy the fresh air. With this in mind I would ask you all to consider the opportunities given to offenders who pray on the motorists who park their vehicle at these locations and leave items of value in the car. The people committing these offences are well versed in the habits adopted by car owners who tuck handbags, sat navs and mobiles under the seat or put them in the boot before locking up leaving it unattended. These actions are usually viewed by offenders from a distance.

 

If you must have valuables with you limit them to their use and take them with you on your walk carrying them in a small rucksack or gym bag. The mobile could be an asset if you witness an incident from a distance and are able to make a 999 call.

 

Enjoy the countryside but please don’t become a victim.

 

Mick Cogger

Crime Prevention Officer / ALO

0845 60 70 999 Ext. 80213   Direct Dial: 01243 52021   Fax:01243 520207

Chichester Police Station
West Downs Division
Kingsham Road
Chichester
West Sussex, PO19 8AD

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SCAMNESTY

 

East Sussex Trading Standards 2010 “Scamnesty” campaign is off to a flying start with over 3500 mailings being handed in the first week of the campaign which is set to run throughout February. 

The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the problem within East Sussex, and helping victims of scams receive advice and support.

In the opening week of the campaign officers met with one scam victim who had been sending around £100 a week to scammers around the world, responding to prize draw letters each telling him he had won a fortune. He admitted that despite having been doing this for many years he had never actually won a penny. He handed in 5 bin liners of scam mail, and the officers were able to advise him regarding the true nature of the scams.

Trading Standards will have a “Scamnesty” information stall in the Hastings Priory Meadow Shopping Centre on the 16th February and Eastbourne Arndale Centre on the 18th February, where people can hand in suspicious mailings and speak to officers about scams or about any friend or relative they may be concerned may be a victim of scam mail.

There also is a free “Scambuster” theatre event on Tuesday the 9th March from 10am-1pm  at the Horntye Park Sports Centre, Bohemia Road, Hastings and Monday 15th March 2pm -5pm at the Communitywise centre, Ocklynge Road, Eastbourne.

All of the County Council’s libraries are taking part in the campaign which is being replicated by Trading Standards across the UK with the support of the Office of Fair Trading.

For more advice please call 08454 040506

 

Louise Baxter
Team Manager
East Sussex Trading Standards
East Sussex County Council
Telephone 01323 463446
Fax 01323 463422
Email trading.standards@eastsussex.gov.uk

To find an Approved Trader, please visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/buywithconfidence 

 

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DOORSTEP TRADERS

 

The following advice was received from Trading Standards in September 2009, in response to a request for information:-

 

The Regulations covering the rights for consumers when shopping at home were changed on 1st October last year. The Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work etc. Regulations 2008 are aimed at traders who contract in a consumer's home or place of work.

Now for contracts worth £35 or more, whether the visit was solicited or unsolicited the consumer gets the right to have a minimum 7 calendar day cooling off period. The cancellation rights have to be clearly and prominently displayed in any written contract or provided as a separate document if no written contract is supplied. There is no requirement for all contracts to be in writing but the notice of the right to cancel must be in writing.

The wording of the cancellation notice is detailed in the regulations and includes giving the identity of the trader and an address to which the cancellation notice can be sent.

For certain contracts the consumer can sign a written request for the trader to commence within the 7 day period. This would be along the lines of an emergency call out say for a plumber to fix a burst pipe or services needed after an emergency situation.

The following link gives guidance on the Regulations for your information:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/buying-selling/Doorstep-selling/index.html

 

East Sussex Trading Standards

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DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?

 

Over recent days Sussex Police have had an increased number of calls in relation to a male that has been described as using befriending behaviour to gain entry into the properties of elderly and vulnerable people.

 

These incidents have occurred between 28th April to 7th May in areas as far apart as Barcombe, Bexhill, St Leonards, Lewes and Seaford.

 

The male has been described as being mid forties to mid fifties and of stocky build. He has also been described as unshaven or with a moustache.

 

Whilst wanting to reassure you that these incidents are rare, Sussex Police are concerned about the way this man is repeatedly managing to win the trust of residents. On some occasions he claims to have previously left a business card at the address or that he knows the householder concerned before engaging them in conversation. Once in the house he identifies goods that he is interested in purchasing and actually offers money for them before leaving and saying that somebody will come back to collect the items. To date, there is no suggestion that anything has been stolen.

 

Sussex Police advise you to be extremely cautious in allowing entry of any strangers into your home, for any reason, but especially if you are not expecting them. Stop and think! When you hear a knock at the door ask yourself whether you are expecting any visitors? Always ask for identification from any callers indicating an interest in buying any of your property. You are also asked to make a note of the description of callers and any vehicles that may be outside at the time and never feel pressured into selling any of your property to anybody.

 

If you are not thinking of selling property prior to a knock at the door, why let somebody into your house if you do not know who they are? If you are at all concerned call Sussex Police.

 

Whilst it is appreciated that the weather is getting warmer, local residents are advised to please ensure that doors and windows are closed when you are not in their immediate vicinity to prevent the cowards that prey on our neighbours from being able to take advantage.

Residents with elderly neighbours are also asked to keep an eye on them over the Summer months and ensure that they are not targeted.

 

Anybody with information in relation to this series of incidents, either by having had a call themselves or who may have witnessed a similarly described male in similar circumstances are asked to call Sussex Police quoting serial number 1550 of 7th May 2009.

 

If the man described is you then you are also asked to contact Sussex Police as detailed above in order that we can discuss the concern and eliminate you from our enquiry.

 

Natalie Carron

Lewes District Commander

Newhaven Police Station

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Distraction Burglary

Hello all, I need to make you all aware of a distraction burglary that happened on Friday the 20th February 2009 at number 4 Gundreda Road, the occupant Mr Jones was sitting in his lounge at 18:30hrs when 2 males banged on his window Mr Jones went to his door and put the chain on, he then spoke to the males through his letterbox. They said they were police officers who had just arrested a burglar and they needed to speak with Mr Jones, Mr Jones then unwittingly opened his door and let them in despite neither of them being in a police uniform.

They asked Mr Jones where his money was as the burglar they had in there van had a large amount of money on his person Mr Jones took them into his kitchen and showed them £100 one of the male's said this is not enough money you will have to come to the station to make a statement at this request Mr Jones realised they were bogus police men and showed them out of his house. When Mr Jones returned to his kitchen the £100 was missing as was his wallet that contained a further £10 and some id cards.

Can I please ask that you all make as many people aware of this on Wallands Park especially the elderly, there have also been other distraction burglaries in Lewes in the last week with the offenders claiming to be from the water board.

Many thanks PCSO Alan Ash

PCSO 19020 Alan Ash
Lewes Town NPT

Lewes Police Station
West Street
BN7 2NY                                                                
Telephone 0845 60 70 999 Ext. 63390 Mobile: 07795968909
www.sussex.police.uk

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WATER BOARD CONMEN WARNING

 

Sussex Police are reminding householders to be vigilant following several recent incidents in which three men claiming to be from the water board has either entered, or tried to enter, the home of an elderly person.

 

The offenders tend to claim to be investigating a water leak, or problems with the pipes, and have given the ruse of working on a neighbour's kitchen.

 

The offenders are pushy and make reference to it being an emergency.

 

Descriptions of suspects seen in the vicinity of offences indicates that the offenders are likely to be a team of three males, aged in their twenties to thirties. At least one of the males is described as Eastern European, Southern European or North African.

 

Detective Inspector Rob Walker said: “If anyone comes to your front door you must ensure you know whether or not they are genuine. Always ask for ID. If you are not certain, do not open the door and do not let them in. Genuine callers won’t be offended and will not mind if you check. The same advice goes for any caller to your door."

 

“If you have any suspicions whatsoever about a caller to your home contact the police immediately by dialling 999.”

 

Natalie Carron

Lewes District Commander

20 February 2009

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New twist to telephone scams

 

East Sussex County Council's Trading Standards is warning consumers about a sinister new twist to bogus foreign prize draw scams in which victims are unwittingly being used to help defraud others.

 

An investigation, led by the City of Westminster Trading Standards Service, uncovered a complex national network of elderly fraud victims, who were called by phone and told they had won up to £500,000, and in a new development, some victims have been groomed by the scammers into acting as unwitting 'money mules' to bank money received from other victims, and then send cash transfers over to the fraudsters in Canada having themselves been conned into thinking these payments were from "sponsors" who would all be repaid out of their own "winnings".

 

One elderly victim in Hastings, East Sussex lost over £35,000, having sent off numerous cheques over a period of a year, to five other people, all based in the UK. Caught up in the same scam was another victim from Storrington, West Sussex, who was groomed into acting as a "money mule" and she unwittingly transferred over £21,000 of UK victim’s money over to the scammers in Canada.

 

In the case of the Hastings resident, the telephone calls she received were so regular that a Trading Standards Officer was able to visit and intercept an expected call from one of the scammers. The scammer politely and calmly lied to the Officer, who posed as a friend of the victim, about being a Canadian tax official and why the victim now needed to pay a further £3,000 to pay the "import levy" before her cheque could be released.

 

Councillor Bob Tidy, Lead Member for Community Safety at East Sussex County Council said: "This is an example of how sophisticated and devious these scams can be. The victims of these crimes were elderly people from across England, and are being ruthlessly exploited by those engaged in this type of callous financial abuse. Our advice to anyone who receives a telephone call, letter or email telling them that they have won a large cash prize is to stop, think and be sceptical."

 

Anyone who is contacted about an alleged prize draw or lottery win and suspects it may be a scam should immediately contact Consumer Direct for clear, practical advice on 08454 04 05 06 or http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

 

Reference ESCC PR2172   29 October 2008

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PURSE THEFTS

 

Lewes police are again investigating a spate of purse thefts, which have occurred over a seven day period at the end of October. During that time a total of eight purses or handbags have been

 

 stolen, seven of which were from Lewes town centre. The other occurred in Ringmer.  Three of the thefts occurred on a Saturday.

PC Duncan Ellison said: “We continue to remind people not to be complacent with their handbags and wallets. It only takes one second to steal the items when they are left unattended. We are currently working proactively, not only in an attempt to apprehend the offenders, but also to reduce the number of incidents occurring. We are working closely with members of Lewes ‘Shopwatch’ and together monitoring CCTV. I continue to stress that people should not leave their belongings unattended on trolleys or in any shop so as to reduce opportunities for the thieves.”

 

Police Initiative To Reduce Thefts Of Bags And Purses

 

· Never leave them unattended in shops, cafes, pubs or restaurants. They could be snatched  by thieves!

· Always make sure the clasp is closed shut and out of the way of pickpockets.

· Do not carry them over one shoulder where someone could easily grab them - wear them so the strap crosses from shoulder to hip.

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Postal Scam

 

The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam:

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number).
DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize.

If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been

billed £15 for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact

Royal Mail Fraud on 02072396655 or

ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk

 

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THIRD WORLD CLOTHING COLLECTION

 

A number of Lewes residents have received a flyer requesting unwanted clothes etc. for the Third World from a company called 'Helpmates'. Neighbours considering donating items should be aware that there is a large amount of adverse publicity about this company on the internet. In particular there is a transcript of the speech given by Jo Swinson MP in a parliamentary debate on bogus charities, Feb. 2007 The full transcript is at http://www.joswinson.org.uk/speeches/000015/

 

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RURAL GARAGE BREAKS

 

Across rural locations in the Lewes District, since the 7th of November, there have been five reported garage breaks. The offences are thought to have occurred overnight and property taken ranges from outboard motors to lawn mowers and power tools.  The areas affected to date are North Chailey, Plumpton, Barcombe, Newick and Ringmer. Police Sergeant James Vitler from the Neighbourhood Policing Team said “We are asking that residents ensure that their properties are secure and where possible with added security measures. We also need the assistance of local communities to report any suspicious behaviour to us.”

 

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This page is part of the website for the Lewes Town and Rural Neighbourhood Watch Association.
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