Fraud Alert!

People across Nottinghamshire are asked by Nottinghamshire Police to take 5 minutes to stop fraud and ensure that they do not fall victim to a fraudulent attack by phone , text, email or online. Details can be read​ ​here.

Current Scams

Rushcliffe Borough Council received reports of residents sadly falling victim to Amazon related scams. It involves an email or text request from individuals posing as a local neighbour or friend to assist them with an Amazon purchase on their behalf. The email or text then requests to get in touch by phone before asking for money to be taken via payment card to assist the delivery of the imaginary item to the neighbour or friend.

In another scam, individuals contact residents stating their Amazon account is due for renewal £70+ or to press 1 to stop the payments resulting in confusing them to hand over payment information. Everyone is asked to take five minutes to always assess ensure they do not fall victim to these fraudulent attack by phone, text, email or online.

Always take five minutes to reflect and step back from the situation if a phone call, message or online exchange requests personal or financial information. Even if an individual says they are the bank or other trusted organisation, residents still need to take the time to stop and think about what’s really going on.

Advice on Avoiding Daylight Burglaries

Many people don’t pay as much attention to their home’s security during the hours of daylight as at night. This is because people tend to feel safer when not surrounded by darkness. However, when looking at statistics burglaries are just as likely to occur during the day.

A burglary at a property can occur at anytime day or night. In fact many burglaries occur during the day, as offenders tend to blend in better with the surroundings and are able to offer more plausible excuses should they be challenged, such as “I am lost”, “I was looking for Mr X who lives somewhere around here”, “I thought this property was for sale” and “I’ve lost my dog”, along with various other excuses that can be more easily made during the normal daylight working hours.

If your home is unoccupied during the day here are a few tips to help you to improve security:
  •  ALWAYS lock your doors and windows when you leave the house, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Make sure your locks reach British Standards and are fit for purpose.
  • Close your curtains and blinds when it gets dark.
  • Never assume that your home, garage, shed or studio will be safe while unlocked, even if you’re currently at home. It only takes a minute for someone to enter and take what is not theirs.
  • Remove ALL tools and objects from within your garden that could be used by an offender to break into your home.
  • ALWAYS set your intruder alarm if you have one, during the day AND night. And consider installing an alarm in any outbuildings too. 
  • Use lights and, especially during the day, radios on timers inside your home.
  • Property mark all electrical and valuable items with a UV & permanent marker pen,  or use a property marking solution like Smartwater or SelectaDNA.
  • Register any items that have serial numbers on the UK property database www.immobilise.com for free, including any bicycles and power tools.
  • Ensure your perimeters are secure with fencing or appropriate hedging and lock side gates at all times with a padlock or mortice lock.
  • Ask a friend / neighbour to keep an eye on your house if you go away and ask them to report anything suspicious to the police.
  • IF YOU REMEMBER JUST ONE THING. Remember to store ALL important valuables including jewelry and cash out of sight and if possible in a hidden wall or floor safe. The first place an offender will look is in the top drawer of your dresser unit, or in the back of a wardrobe. DON’T MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM.
  • Additional advice from Nottinghamshire Police can be read online here.  
Remember also to look after your car.
  • Lock valuables in the boot of your car, don’t leave them on seats in full view.
  • Do not leave keys in the ignition when car is unattended.
  • Check that you have closed all windows, locked all doors and set the alarm.
  • Use well managed, well lit public car parks when away from home.
 
Should you require any Crime Prevention Advice, or a home security assessment, please contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
 
If you believe a crime is about to be or is in the progress or lives are threatened, call 999.

Finally, help to be our eyes and ears in the community. If you see something suspicious, or out of the ordinary then please report it and whenever possible report it straight away by calling 101. Do not leave it to someone else.