Scam Watch 37Scam Watch

By Bill Cunningham By Bill Cunningham Romance Fraud and its coercive control is currently very prevalent. Likely aligned to social isolation. However, it downs that lonely people of all ages can be ideal targets for defrauding. Huge amounts of money are lost in this way. £70m reported in the last year. Plus there is an enormous emotional impact if and when the targeted person realises that it is fraud rather than a romance / friendship relationship. The effect on the victim can be devastating, and though this type of very distressing fraud has been aired in the media, it is still happening. Not all cases come to light for some victims are too embarrassed to admit to their naivety, albeit that the fraudster has been extremely proficient in convincing their newly cultivated partner-tocated scam, and many hours of careful research, much through social media, will have been done in victim selection. A victim can also be so convinced of the sincerity of the romance and want it so much to be real that even family members and close friends will find it very difficult to convince otherwise. Photographs sent by the scammer could be of anyone. Staring the victim in the face are tell signs of this type of fraud. Mostly the fraudster begins to ask for money either to visit the victim in the UK, or for medical fees or for an emergency that has arisen for them or their family. Or they may have lost their job due to the pandemic. Of course none of us should ever transfer money to a person met only online. And as soon as Thinking of Selling your Stamp Collection? Cut out the commissions and sell direct to the dealer! Home visit valuations. Immediate payment, however large or small. Call 01932 785635 www.jcstamps.co.uk Romance Fraud and its coercive control is currently very prevalent. Likely aligned to social isolation. However, it’s not just in lockdowns that lonely people of all ages can be ideal targets for defrauding. Huge amounts of money are lost in this way. £70m reported in the last year. Plus there is an enormous emotional impact if and when the targeted person realises that it is fraud rather than a romance / friendship relationship. The effect on the victim can be devastating, and though this type of very distressing fraud has been aired in the media, it is still happening. Not all cases come to light for some victims are too embarrassed to admit to their naivety, albeit that the fraudster has been extremely proficient in convincing their newly cultivated partner-to-be of their sincerity. It is a sophisticated scam, and many hours of careful research, much through social media, will have been done in victim selection. A victim can also be so convinced of the sincerity of the romance and want it so much to be real that even family members and close friends will find it very difficult to convince otherwise. Photographs sent by the scammer could be of anyone. Staring the victim in the face are tell-tale signs of this type of fraud. Mostly the fraudster begins to ask for money either to visit the victim in the UK, or for medical fees or for an emergency that has arisen for them or their family. Or they may have lost their job due to the pandemic. Of course none of us should ever transfer money to a person met only online. And as soon as we are asked then alarm bells should ring. The sob story will be elaborate and the need for money time critical. Once the money has been transferred it will be gone for ever and very likely that tranche will be just the initial plea. Thereafter there will be another urgent need for additional monies to be sent. As in all scams if anything is too good to be true in realistic expectations then head should rule heart. Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 is where to contact about. If help wanted then contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service 0808 223 1133 https:// www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getmore-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-aconsumer-issue/ Also Scams Awareness Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/ groups/585664875410363 where members of the public can post information to warn others about the scams that they have come across. Thinking of Selling your Stamp Collection? Cut out the commissions and sell direct to the dealer! Home visit valuations. Immediate payment, however large or small. Call 01932 785635 www.jcstamps.co.uk Romance Fraud and its coercive control is currently very prevalent. Likely aligned to social isolation. However, it’s not just in lockdowns that lonely people of all ages can be ideal targets for defrauding. Huge amounts of money are lost in this way. £70m reported in the last year. Plus there is an enormous emotional impact if and when the targeted person realises that it is fraud rather than a romance / friendship relationship. The effect on the victim can be devastating, and though this type of very distressing fraud has been aired in the media, it is still happening. Not all cases come to light for some victims are too embarrassed to admit to their naivety, albeit that the fraudster has been extremely proficient in convincing their newly cultivated partner-to-be of their sincerity. It is a sophisticated scam, and many hours of careful research, much through social media, will have been done in victim selection. A victim can also be so convinced of the sincerity of the romance and want it so much to be real that even family members and close friends will find it very difficult to convince otherwise. Photographs sent by the scammer could be of anyone. Staring the victim in the face are tell-tale signs of this type of fraud. Mostly the fraudster begins to ask for money either to visit the victim in the UK, or for medical fees or for an emergency that has arisen for them or their family. Or they may have lost their job due to the pandemic. Of course none of us should ever transfer money to a person met only online. And as soon as we are asked then alarm bells should ring. The sob story will be elaborate and the need for money time critical. Once the money has been transferred it will be gone for ever and very likely that tranche will be just the initial plea. Thereafter there will be another urgent need for additional monies to be sent. As in all scams if anything is too good to be true in realistic expectations then head should rule heart. Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 is where to contact about. If help wanted then contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service 0808 223 1133 https:// www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getmore-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-aconsumer-issue/ Also Scams Awareness Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/ groups/585664875410363 where members of the public can post information to warn others about the scams that they have come across. we are asked then alarm bells should ring. The sob story will be elaborate and the need for money time critical. Once the money has 37 www.villagematters.co.uk Please mention Shepperton Matters when responding to adverts 37 www.villagematters.co.uk Please mention Shepperton Matters when responding to adverts

Pinewood Studios Group is delighted to be supporting the local communities and small businesses around Pinewood and Shepperton Studios by introducing a brand new directory called ‘Off the Lot’. The directory will list local services and businesses and be distributed to staff, productions and tenants internally at both sites.

If you would like to be included in the first edition, please submit your application ASAP to the studios online at https://pinewoodgroup.com/on-the-lot/off-the -lot-directory-listing.

We will aim to get the first directory distributed by January 2021

Please note the clause on the application form that outlines the studios cannot list services already provided by a tenant on site. To check your company’s eligibility, please see the list of businesses via the ‘On the Lot’ directory via the group’s website: www.pinewoodgroup.com.

Coffee Shop PURVEYORS OF FINE COFFEE, TEA & SNACKS WINTER FUEL NOW AVAILABLE

Ferry Lane, Shepperton, TW17 9LQ Open Every Day: Mon - Sat 9am-5pm & Sun 10am-5pm Tel: 01932 221094 - www.FerryCoffeeShop.com