Cookham Discussion Board

FIRST - A COLD CALLING SCAM THAT HAPPENED IN DATCHET, BUT MAY WELL HAVE HAPPENED ELSEWHERE:
 
A man knocked on the front door and asked the homeowner for money, so that he could visit his son in hospital.
The householder felt intimidated, but her husband thought he believed the story.
The householder had heard a very similar story, just 3 weeks previously, at Datchet railway station, when she was approached by a woman claiming, she needed to take her son to hospital in Reading.
I did not give her any money, but I did buy her train tickets for herself and her ‘son’ (who looked about the same age as her).
This man, claimed to live in London and said the people at a local hotel would vouch for him.
They sent him away, but felt disturbed, and would like other people to be warned about these scams.
Description: white, aged approx. 40, 5’ 10’’, Overweight, wearing a black T shirt and, possibly, black shorts
 
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR NHW MOTTO:
 
I AM SORRY I DO NOT BUY GOODS AND SERVICES AT THE DOOR.
 
This person wasn’t selling anything, but it is similar to a lot of scams we get.  Someone calls at your door: and says:
His wife, who is in labour, is in a car nearby, but they have broken down and need to get her to hospital, can he come inside and use the phone.

An elderly lady knocks on doors, explaining that she suffers from cancer and part of her treatment, was to take a walk every day, but she feels she has done too much and needs to rest and sit down - she asks to come in for a moment and have a glass of water.

A man in overalls calls and says they are working on the house next door and have cut through a water pipe and the house is flooding, can they come in and turn off the water.
 
Scammers always try to panic you, into making a fast decision, which if you thought about it …….  As in the last case - next door’s water supply is in no way connected to your house, but the panic of a house being flooded, overrides logical thought.

There are many more scenarios like this.  The answer must always be the same from everyone - we present a united front against these scams.  YOU SAY:
 
I WILL HELP YOU IN ANY WAY I CAN.  WAIT THERE - ON THE DOORSTEP - I WILL PHONE FOR WHATEVER YOU NEED.  IF YOU NEED AN AMBULANCE / MECHANIC / TAXI, I WILL PHONE FOR ONE - BUT WAIT THERE.
YOU GO INSIDE, LOCKING THE DOOR BEHIND YOU AND DO WHATEVER IS NEEDED - THEY WILL BE GONE, BY THE TIME YOU GET BACK !
 
ANOTHER COLD CALLING AT THE DOOR CASE:
 
12/8  Wednesday Old Windsor.  A man cold called at the house selling ‘household products’.  They bought a large number items and invited the man into the house, to pay him by cheque.  While they fetched a cheque book, they left him alone in the living room.  They came back and gave him a cheque, then went to fetch some chocolate, for his children.  Later they found a cigarette lighter, a cigarette case and the cheque book missing.  PLEASE REMEMBER THE NHW MOTTOS - 1.  I AM SORRY I DON’T BUY GOODS AND SERVICES AT THE DOOR - AND - 2.  NO-ONE COMES INTO YOUR HOME, UNLESS YOU KNOW THEM, OR THAY HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT.
 
As with all scams - at the door, by telephone, by letter and by email - STOP, PAUSE AND THINK before responding
 
NEXT: An update re HMRC scams:
 
Hi
 
Thanks for all the Neighbourhood Alert emails, including today's, which included an "Inland Revenue" scam.
 
Could you mention - that if a caller identifies themselves as part of that organisation, it is obvious evidence of a scam !
 
The "Department of Inland Revenue" has been part of HMRC for many years, since about 2006 I believe.
 
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-inland-revenue
 
Thanks
Stuart
 
Thanks Stuart
 
NEXT:  MORE EMAILS ARRIVING FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE HANG SENG BANK IN HONG KONG.
 
The one where they have a deceased wealthy client and are willing to share some of that wealth of you send them your full details including bank account etc.
 
DON’T DO IT - BIN IT
 
CRIME
 
I have attached reference numbers to each crime report. If you live in the vicinity of any of the crimes mentioned and have CCTV or a video doorbell, can you please check the footage. If you have any that might be of interest to the police, can you please make contact with us, quoting reference number given.
 
I have added a new email address below.  The first email address is directly to your local Neighbourhood Team.  The second is to our investigation team.  Please use it to send any intelligence / video doorbell / CCTV footage you may have, which is relevant to any of the crimes lists below - quoting the reference number.
 
Alternatively you can call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email - www.crimestoppers-uk.org
 
MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
SR.windsor&maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
12/8 - 13/8  Wednesday midnight / Thursday 0.01 a.m.  Ashdown.  Burglary - car keys and a green, Landrover Freelander index DE ** UPC stolen.  Ref. No:  43200251978
 
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
13/8 - 14/8  Thursday 8 p.m. / Friday 6.10 a.m.  Lower Cookham Road.  Communal bike shed - bike stolen.  43200252551
 
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
SR.windsor&maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
 
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
12/8 - 13/8  Wednesday 9.30 p.m. / Thursday 7 a.m.  Courthouse Road.  CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS - Sunglasses, cash, tablet and wireless credit card machine stolen.  Ref. No:  43200252037
 
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
SR.windsor&maidenhead@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
 
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.