FIRST: AN ACTION FRAUD CALL
On Monday morning 7.30 a.m., the aggrieved received a call from someone who purported to be from BT at the Thames Valley Park in Reading.
He said that their internet had been intercepted and was being used to circulate porn from China and Germany. They needed to take control of the computer, to clear this. The aggrieved let them do this and a day later, they still could not access anything on their computer. Everything was blocked.
The man then said that he had transferred £2,100 into her bank account and they needed this money returned using a ‘Money gram’
They went to the Post Office, but were unable to use their bank cards, as everything was blocked. They then went to their bank, who also explained, the account was blocked and they could not transfer any money from the account, but they would try to unblock it.
They went back to the Post Office, but had the same response.
When the bank were able to access the account, they explained nothing had been transferred into the account and it was all a scam.
After investigation, the scammers had accessed their Paypal Account, their emails and all their bank accounts, which they could have emptied, at any time. Nothing had been taken.
Once in control of the computer, they had changed all the passwords, so the aggrieved could not access anything. They have been advised to keep the Laptop closed, until it can be reset to default settings.
We all know the correct advice. If anyone asks you hand over access to your computer to them / ask you to type in some code and press enter. You end everything there and then. This aggrieved was really lucky ! If the scammers had been more efficient, they could have taken everything.
NEXT: I have received an email from one of our members. He has obviously been hacked and a message has gone to everyone in his personal address book that he is abroad, been robbed, has no money to get home – send him some !!!
If you ever get something like this – think about the person you know. Is this the type of thing, they would write to you
Is it their ‘style’ ?? If not bine it or perhaps, phone them to ask if it is genuine. Often the first they know about this is the phone calls asking if they are OK !!!
NEXT: 10/11 Wednesday 5.10 p.m. Courthouse Road. A young girl knocked at a house. When the owner answered the door, she said she had no money, would they give her the train fair home. The resident was really concerned, as she appeared to be very young – about 10 / 12 years old, very slim, with blonde hair, tied back in a pony tail. Ref. No: 43210509600 Did she call anywhere else ??
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.uk9/11 – 10/11Tuesday 5.30 p.m. / Wednesday 12 noon. Windrush Way. The owner looked out and saw a man trying the car door handles of the car on the drive. He was looking into the car with a torch. A bag of valuable electrical facial items stolen from the back seat of the car. Ref. No: 43210510161
11/11 Thursday 7 a.m. / 11 a.m. Cordwallis Road. Bike propped up outside a shop stolen. A black, Slant bike Ref. No: 43210510122
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
11/11 Thursday 11.50 a.m. Ray Lea Road. The owner returned to find earth down the driveway and a large terracotta flowerpot had been damaged. Ref. No: 43210511045
MAIDENHEAD WEST
maidenheadwestgeographical@thamesvalley.police.ukBISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
maidenheadsouthgeographical@thamesvalley.police.ukBOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK
NO CRIME TO REPORT.
OLDFIELD, BRAY & HOLYPORT:
10/11 Wednesday 7.30 p.m. / 9 p.m. River Gardens / Old Mill Lane, Bray. Car broken into and Laptop in laptop bag stolen. Ref. No: 43210509640
MEMBERS’ COMMENTS:
First – re Covid passes
Hi Jeff,
My wife got a text message on her mobile, stating that she had to get an updated Covid Pass. As the message had the NHS logo on the top, she clicked on the link to the website and started to fill in the requested information.
After entering her name and her address, the next request, was for her to enter her payment details for a £ 4.99 fee. At this point, she asked me if this was correct ?
As I had already used the correct NHS website for my free Covid pass, it was obvious to me that this was this was a scam. I immediately told her to stop entering any additional information.
When she tried to delete the information already entered, a message came up, saying that it was legally required and if she did not supply the information, she could be prosecuted !
If I had not been there, she would definitely have gone on entering sensitive information that could then be used, for further access to our bank account !
I assume that it is not only my wife that received this. I thought it would be a good idea, to spread this message – the NHS Covid pass is FREE and can downloaded from the NHS Aapp, or from their website. No payment is required, nor is it a crime not to have this available.
Yours sincerely,
Karl
Thanks Karl – a really useful reminder, as the busy period of Christmas travel approaches !
NEXT FROM THE WINDSOR, ASCOT & MAIDENHEAD COMMUNITY LAND TRUST:
Hi Jeffrey
Can you put out a reminder for people to complete our survey ?
We would like to thank those who have already completed it on affordable housing needs in the RBWM area. We would like to remind people that our survey is due to close on 21st November and there is still time to complete it.
We really need as much input as we can get.
Are you struggling to afford housing in Windsor, Ascot, or Maidenhead ?
Then help us understand your needs so that we can represent you by completing this survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DXSG53F About WAMCLT:
We are a new ‘not for profit Community Benefit Society’, set up by local people to create and hold community-led housing and other community assets, for the benefit of the community - forever.
As many of us know, the cost of local housing, both for sale and rent, is very high. This is making it difficult for many households to afford local housing costs, or meet their specific needs.
Inspired by the growing, national ‘Community-Led Housing’ movement, the objective of Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead Community Land Trust (WAM CLT), is to provide housing that is:
• affordable and environmentally sustainable in perpetuity
• clearly linked to the needs of local communities
• created with the community involvement in each scheme
WAMCLT is also open to members and volunteers. You can find out more information about us by visiting our website:
https://www.wamclt.org/Very many thanks
Claire Milne (Director)
On behalf of Windsor Ascot and Maidenhead Community Land Trust
Tel 07932 635580
www.WAMCLT.org
