Cookham Discussion Board

FIRST: a resident in Eton Wick reported receiving a possible scam call:

The caller said that they were working in conjunction with the emergency services and wanted to check that the people of Eton Wick were safe.

They were offering security equipment like pendants, which were free but had a £1 a day monitoring charge.

They knew resident’s name and address and asked if she was over 60.  They then started to ask questions about the house and whether or not they had a burglar alarm.

At that point the resident terminated the call saying she said she wasn't interested.

They checked the number on 1471 and redialled but there was just music playing and no-one answered.

The resident did not give any financial details and has been advised to report it to Action Fraud.

If every you get a call like this:

STOP – THINK – BREATHE – PAUSE AGAIN AND THEN REPLACE THE RECEIVER WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING.

When you answer the telephone, you do not give the phone number or a name – you only say Hello, until the caller identifies themselves as someone you will speak to.  These scam calls are dialled by a computer – 10 random numbers at a time – 99% may not even be telephone numbers.  If one actually rings, it is transferred to a ‘active number’ database for future calls.  If someone picks up the phone, the number is transferred to yet another ‘live number’ database.  If the person then engages in any way – the number is transferred to the most valuable database – an ‘engager database’.  This what they are searching for.  The person may not fall for this scam, but the number can be sold onto other scammers – ‘The suckers lists’.  These lists are very valuable and sold on and on.  So when you get a call from someone you don’t know:

LISTEN – SAY NOTHING OTHER THAN HELLO – THINK – BREATHE – PAUSE – JUST PUT DOWN THE RECEIVER – AND - BLOCK THE NUMBER FROM FUTURE CALLS


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.

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.
10/8  Tuesday 11.55 p.m.  Castle Hill.  The owners heard a loud noise and went to investigate – someone was trying to break down their bike shed door.  They shouted and the offender immediately made off. – this is a repeat of recent events.  Ref. No;  43210358259
9/8 – 10/8  Monday 11.30 a.m. / Tuesday 6 a.m.  Fairford Road.  CAR ENTERED BY UNKNOWN MEANS and searched.  Items moved around – nothing stolen.  Ref. No:  43210358541

RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.

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:
10/8  Tuesday 8.30 p.m.  Kent Way.  Car rear window smashed and Nintendo Switch Switch stolen.  Ref. No:  43210357985
11/8  Wednesday

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.


MEMBERS’ COMMENTS:

FIRST:  A NEW SCAM FROM JOHN:

Hi Jeff,

There is a new SCAM going around and you need to alert people aged between 55-85.

A man calls you on the phone, saying that he is from ‘Safety & Security’.

He goes on to say that if you join and are broken into, or had a fire, they would call the emergency services for you ?

I told the company I would check them out - and hung up ??

Everyone should do the same if they get one of these calls.

John

NEXT; FROM ANOTHER RESIDENT – THE COVID PASSPORT SCAM:

Hi Jeff,

Please can you remind everyone about the Covid Passport scam ?

I have stupidly entered some details on a scam email, offering me the option to receive an NHS health passport !
It was very convincing with the NHS logo, references to info discussed in the media about travel concessions etc.

The first page took my name, address, mobile number and mother’s maiden name.  When I entered that – it did make me think, why do they want that, but I filled it in and continued to the second page.

Second page asked for detailed bank info, apparently ‘for identification purposes’, that’s when the penny dropped and I stopped.

I am so cross with myself!

Could you let everyone know? At the moment – there is no such thing !!

Regards,

F
Thanks for this – we do these things without thinking – and – we are trained to be police and simply answer questions when asked – particularly in forms.

STOP – THINK – BREATHE – PAUSE AGAIN – THEN BIN IT !