Keeping our Community Safe

Keeping our Community Safe Keeping our Community Safe Keeping our Community Safe By Tracy Moore, Neighbourhood Watch and Bill Cunningham, Scamwatch By Tracy Moore, Neighbourhood Watch By Tracy Moore, Neighbourhood Watch and Bill Cunningham, Scamwatch and Bill Cunningham, Scamwatch

SCAM WATCH - by Bill Cunningham

Currently 30% of all we buy is obtained online. So, we should be vigilant about our purchasing for there are many fraudsters earning off online traffic.

There’s a lot we should consider before parting with our card details. A lot.

The padlock icon in the address bar tells that traffic between us and the website is encrypted. Information we send over the internet to the site, like our password and card details, are scrambled. To make it practically unreadable if intercepted. But the padlock doesn’t guarantee honesty of the website operator. A scammer can add a padlock to his website.

We would transmit securely, but to the fraudster!

On the website, is there an office contact number; not just a mobile, with full address and email address? If not, then it’s a gamble.

If a UK company name check it out on Companies

House register. If it’s there it doesn’t guarantee honesty, but we can see who is the director(s). Other details too. If unregistered, then it’s more of a gamble.

The stars on retailer review platforms can be manipPlease mention Shepperton Matters when responding to adverts 54 www.villagematters.co.uk

Neighbourhood Watch - By Tracy Moore This month’s update comes with kind assistance from Sue Mansell, a local NHW co-ordinator; Neighbourhood Watch There are still some worrying trends going on in Spelthorne so please be vigilant about the following; This month We see that pick pockets are still stealing from ladies’ handbags in the Staines area, please, zip closed your handbags or shopping bags that have your purse in. if you have a handbag you can place over your shoulder can you put it under your top coat this will at least give you added proThere are still some worrying trends going on in Spelthorne so please be vigilant about the following; tection. I am not sure if men are having the same issues with their wallets usually in their back We see that pick pockets are still stealing from ladies trouser pockets. When drawing money out from a cash point make sure you have no one nearby looking over your shoulder or distracting you from completing your transaction. If this should happen to you closed your handbags or shopping bags that have your purse in. if you have a handbag you can place over your shoulder can you put it under your top coat this will at least give you added propress the cancel button and retrieve your card. This is still being carried out by unscrupulous tection. I am not sure if men are having the same issues with their wallets usually in their back people who don’t care about you or your financial circumstances. Also, I am sure you know that electric scooters are illegal on public highways and footpaths and if caught by the police, you will face a fine and they will confiscate your very expensive item. trouser pockets. When drawing money out from a cash point make sure you have no one nearby looking over And if you didn’t know there are new Highway Code Rules which we all need to be aware of. your shoulder or distracting you from completing your transaction. If this should happen to you press the cancel button and retrieve your card ulated. Reviewers can even be rewarded by the people who don seller to give 5 stars. Even if a vendor’s products are Also, I am sure you know that electric scooters are illegal on public highways and footpaths and first class, in real life some will say they are rubbish. Reviews with nearly / exactly the same words suggests same ‘handwriting’? Is there a returns policy clearly stated? if caught by the police, you will face a fine and they will confiscate your very expensive item. And if you didnSCAM WATCH - by Bill Cunningham The Pearls or Perils of Buying Online

If using a search engine to look up a business by name or find a service then it’s generally safer to ignore sponsored results. Currently 30% of all we buy is obtained online. So, we should be vigilant about our purchasing for there SCAM WATCH are many fraudsters earning off online traffic. Prices much lower than comparable product/ same The Pearls or Perils of Buying Online

There’ product even at a huge discount, elsewhere? We s a lot we should consider before parting with know, don’t we, that if it’s looking far too good to be true then …. For something costing over £100 we should pay by Currently 30% of all we buy is obtained online. So, we should be vigilant about our purchasing for there our card details. A lot. The padlock icon in the address bar tells that traffic between us and the website is encrypted. Infor- credit card. Read up on Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act to see why, and how in detail we are protected. are many fraudsters earning off online traffic. There mation we send over the internet to the site, like our password and card details, are scrambled. To make

Read about it practically unreadable if intercepted. But the pad- Chargeback if spending less or paying our card details. A lock doesn’ . by debit card. This scheme works like Section 75 if The padlock icon in the address bar tells that traffic t guarantee honesty of the website opergoods are damaged, not as described or haven’t been delivered. Remember that bank transfers offer us the least ator. A scammer can add a padlock to his website. We would transmit securely, but to the fraudster! On the website, is there an office contact number; between us and the website is encrypted. Information we send over the internet to the site, like our protection of all. Up from nil in 2018 to about 50% password and card details, are scrambled. To make not just a mobile, with full address and email ad-chance now of a bank refund. . dress? If not, then it’s a gamble. If a UK company name check it out on Companies it practically unreadable if intercepted. But the padlock doesn

House register. If it’s there it doesn’t guarantee honesty, but we can see who is the director(s). Other details too. If unregistered, then it’s more of a gama We would transmit securely, but to the fraudster! ble. On the website, is there an office contact number;

Neighbourhood Watch - By Tracy Moore This month’s update comes with kind assistance from Sue Mansell, a local NHW co-ordinator; There are still some worrying trends going on in Spelthorne so please be vigilant about the following; We see that pick pockets are still stealing from ladies’ handbags in the Staines area, please, zip closed your handbags or shopping bags that have your purse in. if you have a handbag you can place over your shoulder can you put it under your top coat this will at least give you added protection. I am not sure if men are having the same issues with their wallets usually in their back trouser pockets. When drawing money out from a cash point make sure you have no one nearby looking over your shoulder or distracting you from completing your transaction. If this should happen to you press the cancel button and retrieve your card. This is still being carried out by unscrupulous people who don’t care about you or your financial circumstances. Also, I am sure you know that electric scooters are illegal on public highways and footpaths and SCAM WATCH - by Bill Cunningham if caught by the police, you will face a fine and they will confiscate your very expensive item. The Pearls or Perils of Buying Online And if you didn’t know there are new Highway Code Rules which we all need to be aware ofCurrently 30% of all we buy is obtained online. So, we should be vigilant about our purchasing for there are many fraudsters earning off online traffic. There’s a lot we should consider before parting with our card details. A lot. ulated. Reviewers can even be rewarded by the The padlock icon in the address bar tells that traffic seller to give 5 stars. Even if a vendor’s products are between us and the website is encrypted. Infor- first class, in real life some will say they are rubmation we send over the internet to the site, like our password and card details, are scrambled. To make bish. Reviews with nearly / exactly the same words it practically unreadable if intercepted. But the pad- suggests same ‘handwriting’? lock doesn’t guarantee honesty of the website oper- Is there a returns policy clearly stated? ator. A scammer can add a padlock to his website. We would transmit securely, but to the fraudster! On the website, is there an office contact number; If using a search engine to look up a business by name or find a service then it’s generally safer to not just a mobile, with full address and email ad- ignore sponsored results. dress? If not, then it’s a gamble. Prices much lower than comparable product/ same If a UK company name check it out on Companies House register. If it’s there it doesn’t guarantee product even at a huge discount, elsewhere? We honesty, but we can see who is the director(s). Other know, don’t we, that if it’s looking far too good to details too. If unregistered, then it’s more of a gam- be true then …. ble. The stars on retailer review platforms can be manip- For something costing over £100 we should pay by credit card. Read up on Section 75 of the ConsumPlease mention Shepperton Matters when responding to adverts 54 er Credit Act to see why, and how in detail we are protected. www.villagematters.co.uk Read about Chargeback if spending less or paying by debit card. This scheme works like Section 75 if goods are damaged, not as described or haven been delivered. Remember that bank transfers offer us the least protection of all. Up from nil in 2018 to about 50% chance now of a bank refund.

Neighbourhood Watch - By Tracy Moore This month’s update comes with kind assistance from Sue Mansell, a local NHW co-ordinator; There are still some worrying trends going on in Spelthorne so please be vigilant about the following; We see that pick pockets are still stealing from ladies’ handbags in the Staines area, please, zip closed your handbags or shopping bags that have your purse in. if you have a handbag you can place over your shoulder can you put it under your top coat this will at least give you added protection. I am not sure if men are having the same issues with their wallets usually in their back trouser pockets. When drawing money out from a cash point make sure you have no one nearby looking over your shoulder or distracting you from completing your transaction. If this should happen to you press the cancel button and retrieve your card. This is still being carried out by unscrupulous people who don’t care about you or your financial circumstances. Also, I am sure you know that electric scooters are illegal on public highways and footpaths and if caught by the police, you will face a fine and they will confiscate your very expensive item. And if you didn’t know there are new Highway Code Rules which we all need to be aware of. ulated. Reviewers can even be rewarded by the seller to give 5 stars. Even if a vendor’s products are first class, in real life some will say they are rubbish. Reviews with nearly / exactly the same words suggests same ‘handwriting’? Is there a returns policy clearly stated? If using a search engine to look up a business by name or find a service then it’s generally safer to ignore sponsored results. Prices much lower than comparable product/ same product even at a huge discount, elsewhere? We know, don’t we, that if it’s looking far too good to be true then …. For something costing over £100 we should pay by credit card. Read up on Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act to see why, and how in detail we are protected. Read about Chargeback if spending less or paying by debit card. This scheme works like Section 75 if goods are damaged, not as described or haven’t been delivered. Remember that bank transfers offer us the least protection of all. Up from nil in 2018 to about 50% chance now of a bank refund.

Well, it is here again! No sooner have we celebrated the best in Spelthorne than it is time to be inspired and think about entering your business in 2022. The entry start date is April 4th but if you are interested in entering the competition and can’t wait, please email e.development@spelthorne.gov.uk and the link to enter will be sent to you. It is clear that we have a hugely diverse and very successful bunch of companies and small businesses in the area. This competition is open to any business in Spelthorne. Don’t hold back. This is the time to shout about your successes and what you are most proud of. Last years winners of the Best in Spelthorne was husband and wife team, Taste Creative. Before that it was Quality Fruit and Flowers in Shepperton. But as well as the overall winner, you have the chance to win Best in Sunbury (still proud of winning that one myself!), Best Healthy Business, Best Sustainable Business, Best Exporter, Best Franchise, Best Corporate Social Responsibility, Best Small Business or Best new Start Up. So to all your wonderful businesses, come on, get involved. It is a chance to raise your profile and you can celebrate at a glittering awards ceremony in the autumn in the presence of the great and the good of Spelthorne.

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Solution to March Sudoku

C A T A S T R O P H E S R B R V I S E N C O U R A G E M E N T N N I N R O S P E E D I N G H A I R E V A S D R Y R E I N S F A N C Y T R T P M H K E D G E M E G A B Y T E M R C N G N P R E S U M P T I V E L Y T E B A N O A I N T E L L I G E N T

Solution to March Quick Crossword