Category: Policing

How To Spot A Remote Access Scam

Message from our local Police

 

Dear Watch Member,

A Remote Access scam is when criminals contact you out of the blue, pretending to be the representative of a reputable organisation. This may be a telephone or internet provider or sometimes a bank or other service provider.

Once the criminals have your attention, you’ll usually be offered services such as;

  • fixing, upgrading or protecting your computer or device, internet service or the websites you use
  • help getting you a refund for an overpayment
  • help stopping a payment from leaving your account

In order to provide you with their ‘help’ criminals will typically ask you to assist by allowing them access to your computer or mobile device. To do this, they may ask you to download software to your computer, or download an app to your mobile device, and accept their request for access. After successfully gaining access to your computer or mobile device, criminals may ask you to log onto your Online Banking.

They may have told you a story about why you need to make a payment or they’ll set up the payment themselves if they have access to your Online Banking; to complete their scam they’ll need you to take some action. Usually, they’ll ask you to share codes sent to your phone (OTPs) or authorise activity yourself through a Mobile Banking app.

If you ever get a call like this, hang up immediately and follow the below tips to help protect yourself.

– Never share a One Time Passcode (OTP) with another person, not even an employee of your bank.

– Never authorise a transaction using the Mobile Banking app that you haven’t requested yourself. Check the details match the transaction you intend to make.

– Never download software or let anyone remotely log on to your computer or other devices, either during or after a cold call.

– Never enter your Online Banking details after clicking on a link in an email or text message.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: pinner.snt@met.police.uk
Tel: 020 8721 2775

Cuppa with a Copper

Dear Watch Member,

Today we will be holding our first Cuppa with a Copper contact point since lockdown was relaxed.

We will be at Daisy’s in the Park in the glorious surroundings of Pinner Memorial Park between 1pm-2pm.

Please do come and chat with us about any concerns you have regarding anti-social behaviour and crime in Pinner.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Opportunist Thefts

Dear Watch Member,

Earlier in the week a gas engineer had £600 worth of tools stolen from the rear of a property where he was undertaking work.

The suspect walked through the property’s open side gate to gain access to the tools, before leaving the location in a white transit van.

As a general crime prevention measure, it is important to ensure that all access points into your property, e.g. windows, doors etc, are secure whenever left unattended.

Building sites are an attraction to any opportunist thieves driving around the area looking to take advantage of unattended equipment, insecure work vehicles and open garages, so please have a conversation with anyone working at your property regarding what they should do to protect you and them from becoming a victim of crime.

Please click on the below links for further theft / burglary prevention advice.

www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/non-residential-burglary/secure-shed-garage/

www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/residential-burglary/

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Persistent Cold-Caller in Pinner

Dear Watch Member,

We have received a couple of reports of a labourer in the area who is persistently knocking on the doors of elderly residents and asking them if they need any work completed, such as having their driveway pressure washed.

Please do not accept any offers of work from cold-callers or pay for work that has been undertaken without prior consent and having first agreed on a price.

The link below has advice on how to prevent yourself becoming a victim of doorstep scams: http://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/personal-fraud/door-to-door-courier-fraud/.

At the bottom of the page, please do not forget to read the excellent Little Book of Big Scams PDF booklet.

You can also report concerns about traders by contacting Brent & Harrow Trading Standards on 020 8937 5555 and trading.standards@brent.gov.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Catalytic Converter Thefts In Pinner.

 

Dear Watch Member,

In recent weeks, there has been a rise in the theft of catalytic converters in the Pinner area. Thieves have been targeting specific models, namely pre-2008 Honda Jazz models, Toyota Prius (2004 to 2016 inclusive models) and Toyota Arius (2012 to 2018 inclusive models).

We would like to offer the below crime prevention advice to help reduce your chances of being a victim of this crime:-
• Lock your car in a garage when parked at night.
• If 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 and 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 models 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 advertise this.
• Noisy gravel on your drive can help deter a would-be thief, as they do not want to alert you to their approach.

We urge the public to remain vigilant and report incidents of suspected catalytic converter theft, particularly where people are trying to get under cars in public car parks or on public roads. If you see this happening, please call 999 immediately.

Please find attached further vehicle crime prevention advice.

Vehicle Crime Prevention Advice

Test and Trace Scam – Warning

Test and Trace Scam Warning

Dear Watch Member,

We are warning residents to be aware that scammers are posing as NHS Test and Trace contact workers.

The new Test and Trace system is being rolled out across the country, meaning contact tracers are now getting in touch with those who have had recent close contact with people who have had a positive COVID-19 test.

However, it is important that people are aware that fraudsters are trying to take advantage of this process by posing as contact tracers and gathering personal information by deception.

Contact tracers will never:

  • ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
  • ask you to make any form of payment
  • ask for any details about your bank account
  • ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
  • ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
  • ask you to purchase a product
  • ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet
  • ask you to access any website that does not belong to the Government or NHS.

The following link will help to identify if you are genuinely being contacted by the NHS.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Regards,
Lee O’Brien

NHS Track & Trace Scam.

 

A new telephone scam is coming to light …. callers contact residents saying they are from the NHS Track & Trace service telling the resident that they have been in contact with someone suffering from COVID-19 and need to have a test sent out to them.

This is swiftly followed with a request for the resident’s bank details; the caller stating the test & results cost £500. Please do not fall for this scam. If you need a test sent out to you because you are unable to attend a test site, this is done for free, both via delivery & collection, followed up by the result.

***Important***

The NHS Test and Trace service will NOT:

  • ask for bank details or payments;
  • ask for details of any other accounts, such as social media;
  • ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone;
  • ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087.

Outbuilding Security Advice

Dear Watch Member,

As the weather starts to become warmer (although not in May according to the weather forecasts!), people confined to home are spending a lot of time in their gardens using gardening tools and leisure equipment, which are often left out or stored in outbuildings.

Burglars tend to target sheds, garages and outbuildings at this time of year looking for valuable power tools, bikes and other expensive items.

We recommend that everyone takes some basic security measures to make sure their gardens and outbuildings are secure. Leaving tools and gardening equipment lying around in your garden can attract thieves, as they are valuable and could also be used to break into your home.

Locking tools away in a shed or garage when you are not using them and making outbuildings as secure as possible, with strong locks or even an alarmed padlock, will help keep your property safe. Dusk till dawn security lights in your garden will make your home even safer, along with locking windows, doors and garden gates and making sure your fences are in a good condition.

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If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Keep Your Money Safe Online and Offline

Keep Your Money Safe Online and Offline

Dear Watch Member,

The closure of many businesses and changes in most people’s routines has presented new opportunities to criminals looking to commit fraud and cybercrime. Those working from home or furloughed are likely to see more fraudulent emails, SMS messages or bogus callers.

Fraudsters are taking advantage of the fact that more people are at home due to social distancing measures. Naturally they will be easier to target by bogus callers who look to commit burglaries by distracting the occupant or posing as someone from the water board or gas supplier. People will also be spending more time online, making them more susceptible to online fraud, such as phishing emails, bogus text messages and social media posts.

Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to fraud:

  • Don’t respond to emails or texts out of the blue asking you for your personal or financial info
  • Don’t respond to messages asking you to “confirm” or “verify” your personal or financial details – this is a common tactic used by criminals
  • Create strong passwords using three random words. For example such as a fruit, a colour, and make of car i.e. Yellowappleford1! Use passwords with over 15 characters, using upper and lower case, numbers and symbols.
  • Use a different password for every login and use either a password manager or if you don’t want to / can’t do that write them down if you can’t remember them. If you do write them down don’t leave your password list in plain sight.
  • Use two factor authentication wherever this is an option, which requires two different methods to prove your identity before you can access a service. This is usually a password and another method, such as a code sent to your mobile phone.

For more simple tips on how to protect yourself online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: pinner.snt@met.police.uk

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team

Recent Burglaries

It looks as if Pinner is currently the target area. Police LogoPlease be extra vigilant.

At some point between Sunday 12th January – Thursday 16th January, a burglary occurred in Athol Close. The property had been unoccupied for several weeks; the unknown suspect(s) gained entry by forcing open a rear dining room window.

At an unknown time between Tuesday 14th – Friday 17th January, a burglary occurred at an empty property in Birchmead Avenue. Entry was gained by kicking in the property’s front door.

On Thursday 16th January between 12:35pm to 12:45pm, an attempted burglary occurred in Jubilee Close. The three suspects initially rung the victim’s doorbell, and having not received a response, they attempted to force open a window to the property, before fleeing after being disturbed by the victim.

On Saturday 18th January between 06:30am – 8:45pm, a burglary occurred in West End Lane, at an address close to Hillcrest Avenue. Access was gained via a rear kitchen window.

On Sunday 19th January between 4:35pm – 10:15pm, a burglary occurred in Waxwell Lane. The unknown suspect(s) smashed the window of a rear patio door to access the property.

On Monday 20th January at 6:30pm, a burglary occurred in Eastern Avenue when the unknown suspect(s) smashed a rear window of the property. The burglar alarm’s activation is believed to have caused the suspect(s) to flee the property prematurely and empty-handed.

On Tuesday 21st January between 8:30am – 10:30pm, a burglary occurred in Athol Gardens. Again, the unknown suspect(s) smashed the window of a rear patio door to access the property.

On Thursday 23rd January at approximately 9:00pm, a burglary occurred in Bell Close after the unknown suspect(s) smashed the window of a rear patio door to access the property.