Crime: 19 August 2013  

FINAL REMINDER – THE RETIREMENT FAIR on Wednesday – Ascot Racecourse.  See you there !
 
I have had this in as a result of the recent changes to the formatting of Thames Valley Alert.  We did not ask for the changes – the grey border – they were just done over a weekend – we knew nothing about it !
 
Hi Jeff,
 
The last few Alert messages have displayed (in Outlook) with a black or near-black background over the whole screen.  So when I forward  the message any text I add, such as my signature file, is almost invisible in black and has to be rendered in, say, red.   This seems to be a totally unnecessary inconvenience (possibly an error) and adds nothing to the value of the messages.   I hope it can be corrected.
 
In general, however, I think  the message service is excellent and I have great  respect for your part in it.
 
Best regards,
 
Colin
 
Several of you have raised this issue and I have raised it with VisaV.  They won’t change the border back to white, but are looking at alternative ways of your forwarding the messages.
 
NEXT A REPORT RE THE WINDOWS SCAM PHONE CALLS.  I HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE:
 
Hi Jeffrey
Last Tuesday evening, I was contacted on phone by supposedly ‘Microsoft Windows Service Centre’ offering me a super security product.
 
I stupidly fell for the scam, let them into my computer and gave the numbers of my Master Card for payment of the product via Western Union and the numbers of my Visa debit card, to cancel the Norton security which was just then due for renewal.
 
The following morning I realized that I had been duped and phoned Master card - £201.90 had been withdrawn via Western Union.  I then checked my Visa debit card - £300 withdrawn by some kind of Investors Fund. I stopped both accounts instantly and they are issuing me with new cards.  I am very relieved, as they are also both refunding the loss.
 
I gave my DEBIT VISA Barclay card details as the conman convinced me that he could cancel Norton.  He insisted and eventually convinced me that it had been paid for on a different card.  I could not have been more stupid  !!!
 
I have had Norton for about 3 years and always paid using my Master card, but he insisted that he could see, as he was in my computer, that I had paid with another card and foolishly I gave my other card details to him.
 
I hope my experience helps someone else not to fall for this con.
 
Can everyone be alert ? I was clearly conned.
 
CAN EVERYONE BE AWARE – THE ISSUES GO ON AND ON ONCE YOU HAVE LET THEM RUMMAGE THROUGH YOUR HARD DRIVE.  IF YOU HAVE ONLINE BANKING, A PAYPAL ACCOUNT OR PERSONAL DETAILS – THEY COULD COPY THE LOT !  IF YOU FEEL SOMEONE MAY HAVE CONNED YOU IN THIS WAY THE FIRST THING TO DO IS CHANGE ALL YOUR PASSWORDS AND CHECK AND KEEP RE-CHECKING YOUR BANK ACCOUNTS.
 
I have asked Paul Hay our Volunteer IT Guru for advice:
 
Hi Jeff,
Often they don’t actually access your hard drive, but let you think they have, in order to get your credit card details.
 
My general advice would always be never give somebody your credit card or any other personal details over the phone if they have called you. Even if my bank calls me, I call them back using a number I have – not one they give me !.
 
Secondly and most important:
Never believe people who call saying you have a problem with your computer.
They cannot possibly know.


Regards,
Paul
 
MAIDENHEAD CENTRAL:
maidenheadcentralnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Neighbourhood Page:
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-tvp-pol-area/yournh-tvp-pol-area-berkse-winds/

yournh-tvp-pol-area-n391.htm
17/8  Saturday 1.30 a.m. / 8 a.m.  Bridges Court, Kings Quarter.  Communal door kicked and damaged.  The intercom has also bee dislodged.
 
RIVERSIDE & BELMONT:
maidenheadcentralnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
16/8 – 18/8  Friday 4 p.m. / Sunday 7 p.m.  St. Mark’s Road.  Bike hidden in an alley, but INSECURE stolen.  A white gents Trek 4 Series bike – WITH FRAME NUMBER !!!!  That is 2 bikes stolen over the weekend had their FRAME NUMBERS !  Our message must be getting through !!!
14/8 – 17/8  Wednesday 5 p.m. / Saturday 10 a.m.  Ray Park Avenue.  Bike stolen from the bike rack at the rear of the property – the chain had been cut and padlock removed.  A red ladies Apollo bike
 
MAIDENHEAD WEST
BISHAM, COOKHAM, HURLEY, THE WALTHAMS, LITTLEWICK GREEN & KNOWL HILL:
maidenheadwestnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Neighbourhood Page:
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-tvp-pol-area/yournh-tvp-pol-area-berkse-winds/

yournh-tvp-pol-area-n393.htm
18/8  Sunday 3 a.m. / 9 a.m.  Groves Way.  Unknown offender has entered a rear garden and piled up some cardboard and started a fire.  A wooden fence has been damaged.
15/8 – 16/8  Thursday 5.30 p.m. / Friday 10 a.m.  Longridge scout Camp, Quarrywood Road.  Kyak stolen from the storage area.
 
PINKNEYS GREEN & FURZE PLATT:
maidenheadwestnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
19/8  Monday 1.30 a.m. / 6.30 a.m.  St Timothy, Darlings Lane.  The owners were woken by strange noises outside their property at around 1.30am and went to investigate.  They saw a man trying to get into a tractor parked on the driveway.  They challenged him and he left – climbing over a fence and walking off.  They woke again at 6 am and saw a man – believed to be the same man as earlier, walking across the rear garden pushing a wheelbarrow full of tools.  The man then walked to the front of the house and attempted to open the locked electronic gates by hand.  The police were called and attended immediately.  Officers located a man, matching the description given, nearby and arrested him on suspicion of burglary. A wheelbarrow with tools was also recovered.
 
MAIDENHEAD SOUTH
BOYN HILL, COX GREEN & WOODLANDS PARK:
maidenheadsouthnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Neighbourhood Page:
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh/yournh-tvp-pol-area/yournh-tvp-pol-area-berkse-winds/

yournh-tvp-pol-area-n392.htm
17/8  Saturday 11.35 p.m.  Bracken Road, Cox Green.  The owner was in his front garden when he saw 4 lads walking past acting suspiciously.  He then heard the sound of smashing glass.  A car window had been smashed.
10/8 – 17/8  Saturday / Saturday Waltham Close, Woodlands Park.  Car rear windscreen wiper stolen.
 
OLDFIELD & BRAY:
maidenheadsouthnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
 
MEMBERS COMMENTS:
 
FIRST – IN RESPONSE TO THE SCAM AT THE POST OFFICE IN VALE ROAD, DEDWORTH:
14/8  Wednesday 1 p.m.  Post Office, Vale Road.  A SCAM.  A man entered the post office and selected some items to purchase.  He then asked at the till for a £20 Vodaphone upgrade voucher, which had to be printed out at the till.  He then confused the staff and left.  They later found out the vodaphone top up had been activated – even though they still had the receipt.
 
Hi Jeff,
 
If he or she can read the number on the vodafone voucher, that's all they need, to top up the phone, so even if it is not in his or her physical possession but still on the counter. If the number on the slip is in sight. That is all you need.
Michelle
 
Another member has asked if the person photographed the voucher, using their phone during the confusion ?  They could easily have been waving it around at the time and a photo may not have been noticed ???
 
If you, or someone you know, works for someone who issues ‘top up’ vouchers for phones – just let them know people are trying to scam and confuse them into letting them see the voucher number
 
SCAM INVESTMENT LETTERS:
Good afternoon Jeff
 
Have just received a scam letter from a Private Investment Manager acting in respect of an ‘Anderson Coombs’.  It relates to an estate worth $24 million US dollars.  They want me to keep it all confidential !
 
It is very similar to the Nigerian scams a few years ago.
 
Just so people are aware.
 
Barbara