Author: News Team 1

Dear Watch Member,

A Pinner resident has contacted me after receiving a scam phone call from people purporting to be from Virgin Media.

Please click on the attachment to read, in their own words, (but with a few minor amendments), the resident’s experience.

Utility providers will usually provide you with advance notice when they are conducting work in your area that may cause disruption to your internet reception or water supply etc.

For fraud and scam prevention advice please click here.

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Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.

• Virgin Media Scam (5 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

Following a growing number of catalytic converter thefts across Pinner over recent weeks, we are urging drivers to protect their vehicles, particularly specific hybrid models such as the pre-2008 Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius (2004-2016) and Toyota Auris (2012-2018).

In order to minimise the chance of becoming a victim we offer the following advice:

• Lock your car whenever it is left unattended and keep it in a garage when parked at night, if possible.
• When using a garage is not possible, park close to fences, walls or a kerb with the exhaust being closest to the fence, wall or kerb to make theft difficult.
• Consider fitting CCTV on your home or driveway, to help deter thieves.
• Use PIR or LED security lighting to make your vehicle more visible; this can also act as a deterrent.
• If your catalytic converter is bolted on, consider having the bolts welded to make removal difficult.
• Fit protective coverings on catalytic converters, such as the Toyota manufactured CATLOC device, (these are made for Toyota Prius made between 2004 and 2009) as these can make it much more difficult for thieves.
• Have your catalytic converter etched or forensically marked, and put stickers in the windscreen to say this has been done.
• Look for car parks with a Secured Car Park sign that have recognised levels of security. If you have a garage at home, ensure you use it and lock it properly.
• Noisy gravel on your drive can help deter a would-be thief, as they don’t want to alert you to their approach.
• Never leave valuable items or tools on display in your vehicle as this may encourage a thief to break in.

More advice on how to make your vehicle safe is available here.

If you have information about vehicle crime, you can contact the non-emergency 101 number, CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or make an online report at www.met.police.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

We are still seeing the use of electric scooters, commonly known as e-scooters, on roads and pavements across the area. Currently they are only legal to ride on private land with the landowner’s permission or as part of a government trial.

With trials of rented e-scooters taking place around the country, some people are purchasing their own in the mistaken belief they can legally use them on public paths and roads. This is not the case and we are finding that otherwise law-abiding citizens are inadvertently breaking the law in this way.

If you have an e-scooter on your Christmas wish list please ensure they will be ridden legally. For more information on using publicly owned e-scooters please visit www.gov.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

With Covid-19 restrictions keeping people away from High Streets and shopping centres, a lot of us are turning to online marketplaces for Christmas gift buying. But these websites are not subject to the same regulations as other retailers, meaning it’s easy for dodgy dealers to sell counterfeit and sub-standard products. And when it’s an electrical fake you’re buying, the risk isn’t just that it might fall apart or stop working – fake electrical products have a serious risk of electric shock or fire.

So, if you’re buying electrical products online, make sure you know who you’re buying from. Stick to the websites of known manufacturers and retailers such as those found on the High Street, rather than buying from third party sellers on online marketplaces.

Find out more about Safe Shopping Online here.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Dear Watch Member,

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins on Saturday 14th November.

Celebrations will understandably be very different this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, despite being in a lockdown and most people staying at home, criminals intent on committing burglaries may use the sound of fireworks to break into homes, especially those that appear to be unoccupied.

Whether you celebrate Diwali or not, please protect your home and jewellery by following the attached advice, remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious or criminal activity to either the non-emergency 101 or emergency 999 numbers.

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page.

• Safe Diwali (524 KB)
• Asian Jewellery Leaflet (147 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

 

Dear Watch Member,

Between January to September 2020, Action Fraud have received 21.349 reports regarding fake PayPal phishing emails, resulting in a total reported loss to victims of £7,891,077.

Online marketplace sellers have received a fake email that appears to be from PayPal, stating that the fraudster has made a payment for an item. A follow up email requests the shipping tracking order reference, prompting the seller to dispatch the item. The fraudster relies on the seller not verifying that the payment has been received in their PayPal account, before shipping the item leaving the seller at a loss.

The reporting to Action Fraud does not suggest that PayPal are implicated or complicit in any fraud, either directly or indirectly. The use of a popular, trusted brand may be exploited by fraudsters to commit fraud.

What you need to do:

Verify the payment: If you’re selling goods on an online marketplace, such as eBay, don’t post the item to the buyer until you have verified, using the official app or website, that the payment is in your account.

Report suspicious emails: If you’ve received an email you’re not quite sure about, you can report it by forwarding it to: [email protected].

For more information about how to protect yourself online, visit: www.cyberaware.gov.uk and www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien