Telephone/Bank Card Scam.

This message has been passed on to us by our local beat officers, having been received from the Wiltshire Constabulary. It is a very convincing SCAM. We have been asked to disseminate the information as widely and as quickly as we can through Neighbourhood Watch.
This one is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.. One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard". The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?" You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"
Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number.
But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 was charged to our card. Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening.

Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.
- posted by allan on Thursday, November 25, 2010

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Attempted Burglary - Hazel Close.

At approximately 2.00am on Friday 12th November an attempted burglary took place in Hazel Close. The culprits were disturbed and fled the scene. Two young(ish) males were seen in the area.
Were you in the area of Hazel Close/Hawthorn Avenue around this time, did you see or hear anything suspicious? Please report any information, however minor, on (0116) 2222222.
(Information from local beat officer)
- posted by allan on Monday, November 15, 2010

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Suspicious Vehicle/Activity in Birstall.

Officers from Charnwood local policing unit are appealing for public help after the occupants of a vehicle were seen acting suspiciously in the Birstall area.
Police received a report just before 9am this morning (Wednesday November 3) that two men were seen leaning over some fencing in Park Road at the junction of Loughborough Road, Birstall.
The men lifted four or five black plastic bags up and placed them in the boot of a car, they then drove off and turned left on to Loughborough Road with the boot of the car still open.
The vehicle has been described as a clean silver five-door petrol hatchback. The driver of the car was white, in his early 20s, wearing a beige or brown cap and light coloured jacket. The passenger in the car was also white, in his early 20s and wearing dark jacket.
PC Andy Johnson is investigating the report, he said: “We have carried out a number of enquiries in the area since the incident was reported to us and have not been able to trace the vehicle or the occupants.
“We would appeal to anyone who was in the Park Road or Loughborough Road areas of Birstall this morning to think back and contact us if they remember seeing the vehicle or anyone acting suspiciously. Any information, no matter how small, could assist with our enquiries.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 1980 Andy Johnson on Leicester (0116) 222 2222, follow the instructions to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key in the officer’s identification number 1980. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

(Information taken from Leicestershire Constabulary Website)
- posted by allan on Wednesday, November 03, 2010

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Shop Burglary

Overnight on Saturday/Sunday 30th/31st October a shop on Sibson Road (between Crossways and Wanlip Avenue) was broken into. Access was gained from the rear of the premises.
Were you in this area around this time, did you hear or see anything suspicious? Please report any information however minor on 0116 2222222.

(Information from local beat officers)
- posted by allan on Monday, November 01, 2010

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