HOW TO DATE ONLINE SAFELY

BY CLAUDIA DEAMER

Online dating is a brilliant way to find a new relationship, whether it’s an online companion or the love of your life. What you want to get out of it is up to you, but you need to consider that your new friend may not be who they say they are. Most people you’ll meet on dating sites and other online platforms are genuine, but if they’re not, you could potentially fall victim to:

• Romance fraud – when your date is actually a fraudster or identity thief

• Catfishing – when you’re lured into a relationship by a false or stolen profile

• Personal harm – when you meet in person

That is why West Sussex County Council have produced these tips to help you enjoy online dating with safety and confidence.

• Use a reputable dating site or app and stay on its messaging service until you’re confident your date is who they say they are and that you completely trust them even if it costs you money.

• Always use secure and unique login details on dating sites and apps to minimise the chance of your account being hacked.

• Look past the profile. Ask plenty of questions and don’t rush into anything.

• Search matches by name, profile pictures or any repeatedly used phrases and the term ‘dating scam’, ‘romance scam’ or ‘catfish’. To check if the photo is genuine or of somebody else, do a reverse image search. Start by searching ‘Search with an image on Google’.

• Be wary of anyone who seems over keen, as this may be a sign that they have other motives.

• Never ever send money, bank details or passwords to someone you’ve met online.

• Don’t reveal personal details such as full name, date of birth, home address or names, details and locations of your children or other family members.

• Sending intimate images or videos of yourself to someone you’ve met online definitely isn’t recommended. This could lead to problems such as extortion or reputational damage, and you can never be sure who will get to view the content.

• End conversations with anyone you meet online who tells you not to mention them to your friends and family.

• Don’t meet an online date in person for the first time without first telling a friend or family member where you’re going. Meet in a public place, keep your phone switched on and arrange for someone to call you to give you an opportunity to make your excuses and leave early. Arrange your own transport to and from the date.

If you become a victim of romance fraud, report it immediately to Action Fraud on www.actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040 as well as the dating site or app where you met the perpetrator.

Claudia Deamer is a Safe Digital Life Delivery Officer, Community Safety and Wellbeing at West Sussex County Council.

Rural Vehicle Crime

Arun Neighbourhood Policing Team

You can contact your local team in the following ways:

• Call us: on 101 to report a crime or 999 if it’s an emergency

• Email us: arun@sussex.pnn.police.uk

We have received an increase in the number of reports of thieves targeting vehicles parked in rural carparks, local beauty spots and laybys across West Sussex to steal valuables. Whilst your vehicle is parked, ensure you do not have any valuables on display and leave any high-value items at home before setting off on your journey. Having your car broken into and losing your possessions to thieves can be very upsetting. Wherever your car is parked – on your driveway, on the street, a car park or in the middle of the countryside, follow these simple steps to keep your vehicle and your belongings safe:

• Always lock it – even if you’re only away from it for a moment.

• Ensure windows and the sunroof are closed when you leave the vehicle to prevent “fishing”. Don’t give thieves any opportunity to access your vehicle.

• Secure your number plates with tamper-resistant screws to make it harder for thieves.

• Fit locking, anti-tamper wheel nuts to secure alloy wheels.

• Secure anything on the outside of your vehicle.

• Remove your belongings – mobile phones, coins, sunglasses, bags, purses and wallets can earn an opportunist thief quick cash.

• Never leave Sat Navs, cables or devices of any sort on view – preferably remove them from the vehicle.

• Vans are often targeted for the tools stored inside. Please don’t leave them in your van overnight. If you have to then please consider a lockable cabinet or property marking system. Should you witness anyone acting suspiciously around a vehicle or a crime in progress then please dial 999 straight away.

FRONT OFFICE OPENING HOURS: Bognor Regis: London Road, Bognor Regis, P021 1BA Mon – Fri, 10-2pm and 3-6pm. Littlehampton: County Buildings, East Street, Littlehampton, BN17 6AR Mon – Fri, 10-2pm and 3-6pm. We work closely with Neighbourhood Watch. Visit the Arun Neighbourhood Watch website: arunwestnhw.org.uk or email info@arunwestnhw.org.uk for more info.

Chichester Natural History Society

EVENTS FOR MARCH 2023

CHICHESTER, Wednesday 1 March

Illustrated Talk by Rob Eadie, volunteer warden for the Sussex Wildlife Trust, on ‘Levin Down Nature Reserve’ to the Chichester Natural History Society at The Pallant Suite, Masonic Hall, South Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1SY at 7.15 pm. Open to all. Wheelchair access. Entrance members free/visitors £3.

RSPB EVENTS for MARCH 2023

CHICHESTER, Thursday 30 March contact FELPHAM IN FOCUS please email: office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

Illustrated Talk by Stuart Malcolm on ‘Birds of Wisconsin’ to the Chichester Local Group at The Pallant Suite, Masonic Hall, South Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1SY at 7.30 pm. 07545 376074 Entrance members £2-50/visitors £5. Wheelchair access.

Power Of Attorney

Have you got one? If not, don’t wait until you need one!

A lot of my clients when I ask them if they have a Power of Attorney will reply by saying ‘no’, they don’t need one and that they are too young to think about putting such a document in place at the moment. I will then usually go on to politely explain that they’ve kind of missed the whole point of the document.

Age has nothing to do with whether you should protect yourself by putting in place a Lasting Power of Attorney. No matter how old you are, it is important to think about what you would want to happen should you become incapacitated (either temporarily or permanently) due to illness, accident or an impairment. Wouldn’t it be better if you decided (rather than the Court) who you would want to deal with your finances and/or business interests and who you would want to make health and welfare decision on your behalf if you are unable to express a view.

A Lasting Power of Attorney has to be given to a third party by you, rather than taken out by them for you.

If you have made a Will then that goes some way to getting your affairs in order and making things easier for your loved ones but the Executors appointed in your Will only have the power to deal with things when you have passed away. They don’t have any legal authority whilst you are still alive, but incapacitated. You need Attorneys under a Lasting Power of Attorney document to look after your needs in such circumstances. Call the office for a no obligation appointment to find out more details. Don’t forget I can also help you with:

Wills and Trusts - Inheritance Tax - Care Fees Planning Probate- Administration of Estates

Helen Gagan Solicitor ……. listening to her clients

Felpham Chambers, 60 Felpham Road, Felpham, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 7NZ

Office telephone number: 01243 867330 Mobile: 07584 991081

Email: helen@helengagansolicitor.co.uk www.helengagansolicitor.co.uk