PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMMERS
According to the British Crime Survey crime, and in particular violent crime, has declined significantly in the UK since the 1990s. However, there is currently a huge surge in Cybercrime. This is mainly fraud. Normal people and companies are being manipulated out of huge amounts of money, sometimes to the point of bankruptcy.
Langford Budville Parish Council has created this page to help members of the community protect themselves. It thanks the BBC and the podcast series Scam Secrets for its superb advice, much of which is distilled below.
If you do just 3 things:
1. If someone claiming to be official contacts you and you find yourself in a state of alarm, do not follow their instructions without first checking their credentials. Click here to find out how to do this.
2. Listen to the BBC's Scam Secrets - find out how to recognise a different scam with each episode.
3. Read Derek's 'Scamphlets' - how to spot and deal with scams, written by retired bank manager Derek Sowden.
Scam Alert - Derek's Scamphlets & Scam Secrets
Report Fraud
There are a few ways you should report cybercrime, depending upon how it takes place.
Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud): This is the UK’s national reporting centre for cybercrime and online fraud. You can submit a report 24/7 on reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm).
If You Suspect Immediate Danger or Financial Loss
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Contact Your Bank: If you’ve lost money, given out financial details, or noticed unauthorized transactions, call your bank immediately to freeze your account or card.
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Emergency: If you or someone else is in immediate physical danger, call 999.
Further Information
If you have a smartphone you can sign up to the Langford Budville Community Discussion Group on WhatsApp, where locals can discuss everything from scam alerts to bin days and philosophy to lost dogs. Details on how to join are printed in your regular copy of our brilliant newsletter, Roundabout.