Neighbourhood Watch

Courier Fraud: A Reminder

It's been a couple of years since we warned about ‘courier fraud’ scams, where fraudsters pose as a police officer or bank official to persuade their victims to hand over large amounts of cash or high value items. These scams still occur and victims of courier fraud typically tend to be between the ages of 70 to 89 years old, with women more likely to be targeted than men. Even if you don't think that you would fall victim to this kind of scam, if you are in a caring or supportive role to people in this group then looking out for warning signs or talking to them about these scams could help prevent them from becoming a victim. Courier fraud usually starts with an unsolicited telephone call requesting that the victim withdraws cash or purchases high value items for collection by a courier, or transfers money to a 'safe' account. Fraudsters claim that this is part of an 'undercover investigation' so they shouldn't tell anyone what they are doing. Fraudsters may request that the victim ends the call and calls their bank for confirmation, but the fraudsters keep the line open and pose as bank officials. The police will never request that you transfer money to another account or send someone to your home to collect cash or valuables. If you receive an unexpected call, you should verify that you are speaking to someone genuine by hanging up and calling back on a number you know is correct on a different telephone. If it's not possible to use a different telephone, wait for five or more minutes and ensure that there is a dialling tone before dialling. If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, protect your money by contacting your bank immediately on a different telephone from the one the scammer contacted you on, and report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk. If you're not sure whether something is a scam, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham (01763) 260358 Linda (01763) 261405 Peter (01763) 260323 Tim (01763) 262801 You can contact Neighbourhood Watch by phoning Graham on the above number, or by emailing nhw.meldreth@btinternet.com. Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY The Moor Melbourn SG8 6EF 07163 223400 office@melbournvc.org www.melbournvc.org

A highly-rated community secondary school committed to ensuring every student achieves his or her very best through a rich and varied curriculum. OFSTED (Sept 2017) confirmed: ‘An innovative curriculum that truly meets the needs of pupils’ ‘The first school in Cambridgeshire to introduce Mandarin at Key Stage 3’ ‘The school’s vision of Everybody is Somebody is evident in the support you provide for all pupils’ ‘Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school’

Senior Leaders will be delighted to show around prospective students and their parents. For more information or to book your tour, please contact

Karin Doyle – office@melbournvc.org

Unit 1, Whitecroft Rd, Meldreth, Royston, SG8 8NE