Your local Safer Neighbourhood Team is Dorchester West
click for website
Call them at Dorset Police on: 101 or on their team mobile: 07500 816292
or email: dorchester-rural-snt@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Dorchester Police Twitter Page
Have you discovered the Dorchester Police Twitter page yet? Why not take a look and follow the team who will give you up to date
information. Their Twitter page can be found on https://twitter.com/DorchesterSNT?
Please only use the numbers above for non-emergency calls. If a crime is in progress or life is in danger, please dial 999.
For help and advice, to report an incident or if you have been a victim contact Dorset Police on:
Telephone: 101 Non-emergency; Email: 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk; Online: www.dorset.police.uk
.
Comprehensive help and advice on crime prevention is available at:
https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/
INFORMATION from DORSET POLICE
Action Fraud is the name given to the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and financially motivated cyber crime. The team is run
by the City of London Police, working alongside the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and Neighbourhood Alerts team. They use
information from all fraud and cyber crime cases reported to them to create alerts about new types of crime or those which are
increasing in severity.
Fraud is when trickery is used to gain a dishonest advantage, which is often financial, over another person. This can have a
devastating impact on those affected. Knowledge is the best defence when it comes to fraud. The more you know about the most
recent or common techniques fraudsters are using to defraud victims, the less likely you are to fall into the trap. Dorset Police has
designed a new webpage that will keep up to date with the latest frauds affecting the county on our website. Action Fraud also
sends information about scams and fraud in your area by email, recorded voice and text message.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, please report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting
www.actionfraud.police.uk.
LOCAL SERVICES
Computer Safety Warnings
Photo by Claire Moore 3_7_2021
Fake emails and text messages are a common tactic used by cyber criminals, their goal is often to convince you to click a
link. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords
and personal information.In order to try and convince you that their messages are legitimate, criminals will pretend to be someone
you trust, or from some organisation you trust. This could be your Internet Service Provider (ISP), local council, even a friend in
need. And they may contact you by phone call, email or text message.Reporting suspicious emails:If you have received an email
which you’re not quite sure about, you can report it by forwarding the email to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service at:
report@phishing.gov.ukAs of 31st October 2021, the number of suspicious email reports stands at more than 8,100,000, with the
removal of more than 67,000 scams and 124,000 URLs.Thank you for your continued support.*In a small number of cases, an
email may not reach our service due to it already being widely recognised by spam detection services. The vast majority of reports
do reach our system so please keep reporting any suspicious emails you receive.Reporting suspicious text messages:You can
report suspicious text messages to your mobile network provider, for free, by forwarding the text to 7726.If you forward a text, your
provider can investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious. If 7726 doesn’t work, you can find out how to
report a text message by contacting your provider.(On many Android devices and iPhones, pressing and holding on the message
bubble should present the option to forward the message)For more of the government’s latest advice on how to stay secure online,
visit the Cyber Aware website: ncsc.gov.uk/cyberawareThanks for reading! If you found this information useful, please help us spread the
word by forwarding this email to your friends.
Do You Know Where To Report Scam Messages?
Are You Leaving The Door Open For Hackers?
Why are software updates important?Software updates are an important part of staying secure online. But why? You’ll often
hear about the new features or performance improvements in a software update, but what isn’t talked about as often are the bug
fixes and security improvements. Out-of-date software and apps contain weaknesses. This makes them easier to hack. Companies
fix the weaknesses by releasing updates. When you update your devices and software, this helps to keep hackers out.Why would
cyber criminals target me?Your device contains a lot of personal data that is highly valuable if it fell into the hands of a fraudster.
The likelihood is your device will contain your full name, date of birth, address, bank details, passwords, as well as many other
forms of personal data such as private photos or videos.Improve your online security by using automatic software updatesWe
understand it can sometimes be annoying to remember to update your devices every time a new update is released, that’s why we
encourage you to enable automatic updates wherever it’s available. That means you don’t have to manually install updates every
time they’re released. We’ve provided some useful links below where you can find step by step instructions on how to
enable automatic updates for your devices and apps.
·
Apple - Mac (opens in a new tab)
·
Apple - iPhone and iPad (opens in a new tab)
·
Microsoft Windows 10 (opens your MS settings)
·
Windows 7 is no longer supported. You should upgrade to Windows 10
·
Android smartphones and tablets (opens in a new tab)
·
Android apps (opens in a new tab)
·
For more of the government’s latest advice on how to stay secure online, visit the Cyber Aware website:
www.cyberaware.gov.uk Thanks for reading! If you found this information useful, please help us spread the word by forwarding this
email to your friends.
Police Alert - Doorstep Cold Callers
PARISH COUNCIL
ABOUT LITTON CHENEY
VILLAGE FACILITIES
LOCAL SERVICES
VILLAGE INFORMATION
Over the last few weeks Dorset Police have received calls from members of the public regard Doorstep callers, sometimes known
as Nottingham Knockers.
The unannounced callers have a story to tell and are invariably selling household items at an inflated cost.
These callers can sometimes intimidate, worry , use pressure tactics and frighten householders into buying their wares.
It’s okay to be suspicious of someone you don’t know knocking on your door. Distraction burglars pretend to be someone they are
not to gain entry to your home.
Here’s some top tips to avoid doorstep crime:
1.
NEVER let anyone into your home you do not know or isn't pre arranged
2.
Ask for proof of identity
3.
Beware of common tricks such as being asked to make a telephone call, wanting to retrieve a lost ball, or being asked to
check water, gas or electric
4.
Be suspicious of people looking for work or offering services
5.
Don’t rush to agree to work or sign any documents; tell them you want to get a second opinion
6.
NEVER go to the bank with a tradesperson or give them your account details
7.
DO NOT accept a phone number they have provided to verify the individual. Use central office numbers from the internet or
your local directory to find the legitimate number. You can also keep your account numbers handy and ask the person to
provide this number. Ultimately though, if you are unsure: do not let them into your property.
8.
One of the most important things you can do is to simply talk about doorstep crime.
9.
Doorstep criminals often leave their victims feeling foolish or embarrassed, so people may be less likely to report the crime
and important conversations may not take place.
10.
Encourage friends and family to familiarise themselves with our advice.
11.
Identify someone nearby who your friend or family member trusts, who they can call for support if they would like to verify s
omeone's identity.
12.
Remind them that if someone they do not know is at their door, they have no obligation to let them into their property. If
someone will not leave: call the police on 999.
13.
Start a discussion about their home security. Help them to complete a home security self-assessment and put measures in
place, for example adding a safety chain to their front door, to help them feel safe.
You can follow this link to ask for a No Doorstep caller sticker https://orlo.uk/MnABS
It is ok to politely say NO Thank you.
Police Alert - Rural Theft
Over the last month there has been several reports of attempt breaks and thefts of items from Rural areas West of Dorchester
moving into Bridport's patch.
There have been several items that have been stolen some of which are trailers, Quad bike, building materials and a 1 ton digger.
Please try and secure your items as best you can by security marking them, put up CCTV, ground anchor, install trackers and if
anyone would like any advice then please contact your local NPT Home | Dorset Police who will be only too happy to visit.
Dorset Police also have a Crime Reduction Officer who is happy to visit residential, businesses, farms and offer her expertise.
If you ever see anyone or anything that doesn't look quite right them please call Police at the time which will enable officers to
attend and deal.
Thanks you Sarah PCSO 5410.
Facebook Hacking
We want to make you aware of a recent surge in hacked Facebook accounts being
used to perpetrate fraud. Fraudsters are gaining access to people's accounts and
using them to advertise and sell non-existent event tickets, products, and more -
often targeting local community Facebook groups and Marketplace.
Remember, there is more than one victim here - both the person whose account
was hacked and those tricked into sending money. If your Facebook account has
been hacked and used illegally, make sure to contact Facebook right away to secure
it, change your password, and notify contacts. You should also report the incident to
Action Fraud.
For more information on how to spot scams and stay safe online, visit the website Get Safe online, which offers hints and
tips.
Here are some tips to help identify hacked Facebook accounts and accounts selling fake event tickets or products:
Look for a change in tone or writing style from the account's previous posts. Hacked accounts often show odd changes if the
hacker is posing as the person but not mimicking them well.
Check when the account last posted or had regular activity. If there's a gap of weeks or months, that can indicate it was
inactive then suddenly became active again in a questionable way.
Look for friends commenting confusion on the posts selling tickets/products. They likely know if that behaviour seems strange
coming from their friend.
Click on the seller's name and check their profile and past posts. Scammers often hack accounts that have been inactive,
with few recent posts.
See if the account repeatedly posts the same or very similar ticket/product sales posts. Scammers tend to reuse the same
ads across targeted groups.
Check for other posts warning of the account being hacked or fake if the person has reached out to warn their legitimate
connections.
Reverse image search any photos of tickets or products. Scammers often steal images from other sites or past events rather
than taking their own.
Look out for one another, so please share this message to help prevent further victims. The more awareness we can raise,
the less power these fraudsters have to deceive members of our community. Thank you for your help and vigilance!
I am calling on residents in Dorset to join us in our fight against drug crime by reporting the small things which could make the
biggest difference to where you live. Have you seen odd or out of character behaviour on your street? Perhaps you’ve
witnessed a drug deal but haven’t reported it because you don’t think it’s important. Perhaps you don’t think anything will be
done? I am urging you to report your concerns, no matter how insignificant you think they might be. It could provide the
missing piece of the puzzle officers need to act.
Pprotect Yourself From Fraudsters This Christmas
Dorset Police is supporting Action Fraud’s 12 Frauds of Christmas campaign for residents to have a FraudFreeXmas.
When celebrating this festive season people are being encouraged to have a #FraudFreeXmas and stay alert to fraudsters taking
advantage of the time of year, as Action Fraud reveal the 12 frauds of Christmas.
Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has launched a Christmas campaign, revealing 12
fraud types to look out for throughout the festive season. People are being encouraged to stay extra vigilant both online and in
person, as criminals will be seeking to take advantage of people at this time of year.
Damian Cranny, Fraud Protect Officer at Dorset Police, said “Christmas is meant for giving, not for criminals taking - so let's keep
them off our Christmas list.
“Criminals don't take a break during the festive season and here in Dorset, we're seeing fraudsters using increasingly
sophisticated methods to target our residents.
“I strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant and follow Action Fraud's advice, particularly when shopping online or making
any financial transactions.
“If you think you've been a victim of fraud, report it to Action Fraud immediately.”
New national figures from Action Fraud show that the 12 types of fraud featured in this year’s Christmas campaign resulted in
victims losing a combined total of £224 million during the 2023 festive period.
Data also shows that nearly three million phishing emails were reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) from
November 2023 to January 2024.
What are the 12 frauds of Christmas?
Phishing Pet fraud Online shopping fraud Social media and email account hacking Courier fraud
Romance fraud Gift card fraud Charity fraud Investment fraud QR code fraud Holiday Fraud
Ticket Fraud
For more information on how to protect yourself and where to report should you suspect fraud, please view the full article here:
https://news.dorset.police.uk/news-article/e168ee4e-d1b7-ef11-9d72-6045bdd24049
Dorset Police urges residents to protect themselves
from fraudsters this Christmas
