FIRST – THE BANKING PROTOCOL TO PREVENT SCAMS AND FRAUDS
Yesterday, I attended a briefing about the Banking Protocol and how it prevents fraud. This is a system of protection.
As you will have seen from this week’s messages, we have had two Courier Frauds reported to us this week alone – one, didn’t succeed. The other did and the victim lost nearly £6,000. These are the ones reported to us. Most victims, once they realise they have been scammed, say nothing and do not report it !
Saying nothing is much worse for victims and their mental health as they feel, stupid, isolated, alone and possibly now desperate for money. Once reported, we never judge and can provide help, assistance, reassurance and most importantly – ongoing support.
We are all aware that our banks often temporarily put a stop on our debit cards, if they believe they are being used for ‘Unusual Expenditure’. Their ‘algorithm’ watches our accounts and it is notices any expenditure, which is out of the ordinary for that customer, or from abroad, when they have that day, spent money in the U. You normally get a text to your registered mobile phone, asking if the person using the card is you ! If it is, you press ‘Yes’ and the transaction goes ahead. If you press ‘No’, the transaction is prevented.
There is a similar procedure, for ‘Unusual Withdrawals / Cash Transfers’. If you generally do not make large withdrawals or large cash transfers and you attempt to do so, the transaction will – again – be temporarily suspended, until you have completed the ‘Banking Protocol’.
It is a simple procedure, consisting of a list of questions, the bank teller must complete and record in the bank’s computers, to protect both you – and them, before any withdrawal / transfer, can take place.
It has been put in place to prevent scam and fraud withdrawals or cash transfers. It has saved vulnerable victims from losing thousands of pounds.
Often, if it is a scam / fraud, the scammer will know the victim will be questioned under the Protocol and will supply suggested appropriate answers. That should be a clue to anyone, that it is a scam. The usual reasons, they say to give to the bank are – you are buying a car and need the cash / you are making a present to a grandchild for their wedding / etc. etc.
Ask yourself – why would I need to give false answers to the Protocol
The scammers have an answer for this ! ‘There is fraud going on at that branch and they need the cash to prove it – they are usually passing counterfeit notes’ – and giving the suggested answers will get around the Protocol and not alert the teller, that there is a police investigation going on !!! The minute you hear anything like this – hang up, wait 5 minutes, to clear the line in case they are holding it open, then call the police – from a separate phone if possible.
To see more about this, go to the Which report:
https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/09/banking-protocol-stopped-32-million-of-fraud-in-the-first-half-of-2021/The website also explains how you may be able to get your money back, if you have been scammed.
NEXT ..…….. TWO SEXTORTION REPORTS !!!!!:
A young man was contacted by an attractive woman on Facebook. She maintained they were friends. They then went onto another App where they Facetimed each other. Intimate acts took place ! Immediately, she told him that she had recorded what had taken place and demanded £200, or she would send the video footage, to everyone in his contact list ! He paid the money via Western Union and immediately received a demand for more money. He then reported it to the police and has been advised to block her and close down all his social media
A young man was on WhatsApp, when he was contacted by an attractive woman wearing just a towel. Intimate acts then took place. The woman then said she had recorded the acts and posted the video on his Instagram, to prove that she had it. Since then, the victim has received multiple messages from a man demanding £1,000. If he did not pay, they would send the video to everyone in his contact list. He blocked everything and has not paid, but is concerned his family will find out
ONCE AGAIN – please do not say, write, text, video, photograph, record anything online or on your phone that you would not be happy for all your .friends, family, relatives, neighbours, work colleagues – and boss – school to see !!!
YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE.
NEXT: RE MY MESSAGE FROM MEN’S MATTERS IN WEDNESDAY’S MESSAGE:
Dear Jeff
I'm writing to say thank you SO much for including the information about the Men's Matters ‘Chair Exercise programme’ in your last Thames Valley Alert.
I have had four men interested to date, aged from 67 years to 94 years ! If anyone else is interested, they can contact me at the email below. The more the merrier !
We tried using an advertisement in the local papers in the past, but had no response.
So the Thames Valley Alert is clearly much more effective!
It's very much appreciated.
Best wishes
Paul
samuelsberks@aol.com.
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.orgMAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralgeographical@thamesvalley.police.uk4/2 Friday 9.35 a.m. Florence Avenue. Car wing mirror damaged. This was witnessed. Ref. No: 432200252513
2/2 Wednesday 2.45 p.m. High Town Road. Car driver’s side window smashed. Car searched, nothing stolen. Ref. No: 43220049402
1/2 – 2/2 West Street Car Park. Car driver’s window smashed with a branch. Searched, nothing stolen. Ref. No: 43220048911
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.police.ukBISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
29/1 – 2/2 The Terrace, Bath Road, Knowl Hill. Car front index plates stolen. The rear index plates damaged. Ref. No: 43220049385
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
3/2 Thursday 11.30 a.m. Switchback Road West. Burglary. The owner returned to find their front door open. A front window had been forced. There is video footage of the offender leaving the property carrying a cardboard box. Not known what was stolen. Ref. No: 43220051048
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
4/2 Friday 1.35 a.m. manor Lane. The owner has video footage of a man riding his bike along the road trying car door handles. Ref. No: 43220052162
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
2/2 Wednesday 6 p.m. / 8 p.m. Golf Club Car Park. Locked up bike stolen. A black Carrera, mountain bike. Ref. No; 43220049057
