Many people are falling victim to fraudulent subscriptions or “Scamscriptions” that they have unwittingly signed up to via fake emails or through tempting “Free Trial” offers of products or software, which are also often falsely endorsed by celebrities without their knowledge.

These subscriptions will seem to be too good to be true with offers of free trials/samples, but these can stop abruptly, but the subscription rolls on and then becomes very difficult to cancel in many cases.

So beware of the following:

Hidden Contract Terms in the small print, so always read these very carefully before committing with a Card payment
Billing descriptions on your bank statements may carry unclear or misleading business names, so may go by unnoticed
You may think you have a free trial period, but a charge is imposed from the start which is difficult to reconcile or dispute with the company which may also be fictitious or uncontactable
Scammers rely on you forgetting to cancel your payments, not noticing small monthly payments from an account or just simply not checking the bank statements at all.
So always;

Check the small print
Look out for negative reviews
Mark your diary with the end of the so called “free period” and cancel if appropriate especially with “free” software offers
Report any suspicious charges to your Card provider as soon as possible to give you a better chance of being able to cancel and recoup any charges

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours

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If you’ve fallen for fraud

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Fake Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report fraudulent mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudster’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.

We have some top tips to help keep you and your home safe this Summer and deter potential burglars.

During the hot weather people understandably like to have their windows and doors open, however this can make a home more vulnerable to intruders.

Here’s some advice to keep in mind during warmer weather:

Ensure all windows and doors are locked when you leave the house – even if you’re only popping out for a few minutes!
Make sure to lock away ladders at all times
Keep front, patio and back doors closed and locked when you are elsewhere in the house or the garden
Trimming hedges and trees at the front of your property removes opportunities for burglars to hide out of sight
Consider growing prickly hedges or roses around the perimeter of your back garden – these are known as defensive plants and provide a level of deterrence
Installing a dusk to dawn security light (at head height by front and back doors) – this increases levels of surveillance and will deter offenders
Intruder alarm systems and CCTV will improve security – not to be replaced of basic security methods!
Make sure to keep garden sheds and other outbuildings locked at all times
Secure side gates and keep them well maintained with padlocks on
Keep valuables out of sight and away from windows and doors
Lock your bike away in a secure shed or garage
Clear or hide heavy, loose debris from garden areas such as bricks, slabs etc. as these can be used to access your home
The West Mercia Police website offers further Crime Prevention advice:

Crime prevention advice | West Mercia Police

Neighbourhood Watch | West Mercia Police

You can also reply to this email if you have any questions, and I will get back in touch.

To report a crime follow the link below or call 101.

https://www.westmercia.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

In an Emergency, please call 999.

Kind Regards,

PCSO 40646 MILLER