Details

Written by Super User

Category: Neighbourhood Alert

Published: 01 December 2015

Hits: 1653

There has been a recent series of incidents whereby fraudsters either phone or attend the home address of elderly members of the public, claiming to be police officers.

The fake officer/s will claim that they are investigating a fraud which they believe the elderly person to be a victim of. The fake officer/s will then request the bank cards and personal identification numbers (PIN) of the victim and claim these are needed for investigation purposes. If the first contact was made by a phone call, the fake officer/s will tell the victim that someone will be over to collect the evidence. In one case the victim was instructed to attend their local bank and withdraw all of the money from their account. The suspect was left alone in the victim’s house whilst the victim carried out the instructions.
 
Protect Yourself

• Before letting anyone into your home who claims to be from any law enforcement agency, ask to see their identity card and check it by calling 101.
• Ask if they can attend at a pre-arranged time when a family member or friend can also be present.
• If you receive a phone call from a police officer,  ask for their name and force and tell them you will call them back. Wait a few minutes and then use 101 to call them back through their force’s switchboard and verify their identity.
• The Police will never ask for your PIN or passwords. Do not give this information to anyone.
• The Police will never request that you withdraw/transfer any money to them.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

Details

Written by PCSO Phil Brandreth

Category: Neighbourhood Alert

Published: 19 November 2015

Hits: 1598

Message sent by PCSO Phil Brandreth

Good Morning,

There has been a report of a male calling at properties in the Kingsley area. The male was trying to sell pictures / drawings and also asking for money. The male claimed he was deaf and wanted £10 per drawing.

If you have had anything similar at your property please email PCSO Phil Brandreth on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If cold callers ever come to your address and you are unsure who they are and the company they work for, then always ask for ID and if you are still suspicious call Cheshire Police on 101.

Many thanks

Phil Brandreth
PCSO 21596
Chester LPU

Details

Written by Super User

Category: Neighbourhood Alert

Published: 24 November 2015

Hits: 1447

Fraudsters have set up a high specification website template advertising various electrical goods and domestic appliances. These goods are below market value and do not exist. The fraudsters will request your card details via the website; however the purchaser will then receive an email stating the payment failed and they must pay via bank transfer.

The fraudsters entice the purchaser and reassure them it is a legitimate purchase by using the widely recognised Trusted Shop Trustmark. The fraudsters are using the Trustmark fraudulently and have not been certified by Trusted Shops and therefore the purchaser is not covered by the Trusted Shop money-back guarantee. 

Protect yourself:

• Check the authenticity of the websites before making any purchases. Conduct a ‘whois’ search on the website which will identify when the website has been created, be wary of newly formed domains. You can conduct this search using the following website - https://who.is/.
• Carry out online research in relation to the website, company name and the business address provided to identify any poor feedback or possible irregularities.
• Check the Trusted Shops Facebook page where warnings about websites using their Trustmark are published. If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of a Trustmark then you can contact Trusted Shops on 0203 364 5906 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. They will confirm whether they have certified that website.
• Payments made via bank transfer are not protected should you not received the item. Therefore always try to make the payment via PayPal or a credit card where you have some payment cover should you not receive your product.
• If the item advertised seems too good to be true, then it probably is. 

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.

Details

Written by PCSO Phil Brandreth

Category: Neighbourhood Alert

Published: 13 November 2015

Hits: 1630

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by PCSO Phil Brandreth

Good afternoon,

There have been a number of reports of a suspicious white van with two males on board in the Kingsley area going door to door trying to sell residents a generator. Unfortunately no vehicle registration has been passed over. The males are quite persistent and are asking for payment via cheque or online payment.

If you have had these males at your address or seen something similar in your area please call 101 and report it or email your local officer on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..police.uk

Many thanks

PCSO Phil Brandreth