Neighbourhood Watch



Be aware of Scams

Stay Safe

28th June 2025

Winter Fuel Payment scam alert!

Be scam aware - there's a new text scam to look out for.

If you get a text saying you need to apply for Winter Fuel Payments or pay a fee, it’s a scam. Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you don’t need to do anything.
You can report suspicious texts online at stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk



5th February 2025

Devon & Cornwall Police have reinvested money from illegal activity to help fund two local community projects in Callington.

The Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) fund is made up of money seized from criminals and proceeds made from criminal assets that are sold by the police at auction. This money is then reinvested for good by awarding it to local projects who make a difference in the community.

We are really pleased that we have been able to support both the Callington Youth Project Group and Harrowbarrow & Metherell Community Shop.

If you are in the Callington area and would like more information on how to apply, please email callington@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk


18th September 2024

Report of a walk in theft at a home in Harrowbarrow
Residents are advised to keep their doors locked when home.


24th August 2024

Cybersecurity At Home



Use strong and different password for your email using 3 random words

Your email password should be strong and different from all your other passwords. Combining 3 random words that each mean something to you is a great way to create a password that is easy to remember but hard to crack.

Do not use words that can be guessed (like your pet's name). You can include numbers and symbols if needed. For example, “Hippo!PizzaRocket1”

Turning on 2SV is one of the most effective ways to protect your online accounts from cyber criminals.
You should protect your most important accounts (such as email, banking, social media and online shopping) by making sure you have 2-step verification turned on for each of them.

2-step verification (2SV), which is also known as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA), helps to keep cyber criminals out of your accounts, even if they know your passwords. The NCSC recommend you take time to set up 2-step verification on all your important accounts, even for ones that you've protected with strong passwords.

Further details for Cybersecurity can be found by clicking on the Government link Stay Safe. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/   


Local Telephone Numbers

Please be aware scam callers are now using local telephone numbers, if in doubt hang up. Remember your Bank etc will never call you, do not give out your Pin Number or Account details.

19th July 2024
No Cold Calling Zone
The whole residential site is now a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’.


10th January 2024

Free Solar Panel Scam

Telephone Caller ID 02922711684


This number is operated by Twilio Ireland Limited and is primarily associated with fraudulent activities, where callers impersonate Solar Energy Company. While its dialling code associates it with Cardiff, Wales, it utilises VoIP technology. As a result, the actual location of the caller cannot be determined.


5th May 2023

Please be aware there have been several bank scams in the area, please note your bank will never telephone you asking for PIN numbers, your postcode, house number, the long number on your debit/credit card or security code.  Put the telephone down if you receive one of these calls.  Wait 10 minutes hen telephone your bank their telephone number can be found on he back of your bank card.
If you have passed on any personal information to a cold caller please phone Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or make a report via the website https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
If you have given out any financial information please phone your bank or building society immediately and then make contact with Action Fraud.


8th April 2022

 Medical alert systems scams

People are receiving telephone calls and are being told that they might be entitled to a free medical alert button from Medical Alert Systems. The caller knows the name of the person and says that the offer is for vulnerable adults who are at risk of falls. This is a potential scam. Never give out personal details whether on the phone, or email, or text.


3rd April 2022

Council Tax Rebate Warning.

Most people are aware of the £150 fuel rebate, that the government is giving people, to help with fuel costs. There has been a number of calls from people who have had a phone call from 'The Council', asking for bank details, so the payment can be put directly into the bank. THIS IS A SCAM TO GET YOUR BANK DETAILS! Never give any details to a 'cold caller'. Please take care not to fall for this, and warn any vulnerable people.


The Council will confirm how the rebate will be paid, please make sure that communication is from your local council before providing payment details.



2nd September 2021.

Today letters were delivered from ‘Nextdoor Neighbours’ stating to be from a resident, the letter as far as we know wasn’t from one of our residents.  Please don’t download the app there are various warning on using this site/app on the internet.


14th August 2021

Bogus Tradesman Warning.

Trading Standards are warning all park home residents NOT to deal with anyone who knocks at the door without a prior appointment.  This is traditionally the time of year when bogus tradesmen and con-men will call offering to undertake ‘essential repairs’ or maintenance.  Don’t get caught out, no matter how good a deal it sounds or how convincing the person seems


27th April 2021

FluBot Spyware Text Scam

FluBot: 'Package delivery' text message scam
The NCSC has warned that a malicious piece of spyware - known as FluBot - is affecting Android phones and devices across the UK.

The spyware is installed when a victim receives a text message, asking them to install a tracking app due to a 'missed package delivery'. The tracking app is in fact spyware that steals passwords and other sensitive data. It will also access contact details and send out additional text messages - further spreading the spyware.

The text message requests that victims click a link. Doing so directs them to a scam website, such as the one shown above (although the branding may vary). Given the increase in people using personal devices such as mobiles and tablets for work purposes, there is also the potential for these types of attacks to affect company assets as well as individuals' sensitive information.  



13th April 2021

Warning

White transit van WP02 CYO is of interest to the police, please report if seen.
Has been seen in Harrowbarrow, Tavistock and Launceston. Two separate incidents with lone female dog walkers in Harrowbarrow where the van saw the lady, drove slowly past and then stopped just further up the road and sat there. (Two males inside)
Not sure what their intentions are....I.e....dog napping or something more sinister.
PLEASE BE VIGILANT AND BE SAFE.



1st February 2021

Devon and Cornwall Police. 


After an incident in the Tamar Valley of a walk in burglary last week Callington Police would advise that even when you are at home you should still keep doors locked if you are not within eye sight or ear shot of them, and, to keep items of value such as car keys, mobile phones, handbags and computers etc, away from doors or windows, especially those in which have been left open for ventilation. If you do spot any thing suspicious don't hesitate to contact Police on 999/101 depending on the severity. It's also best to be overly cautious but please do not worry, these types of incidents are few and far between. Patrols have been increased in the local area. 
Stay safe Tamar Valley

Scam Information National Insurance Number




Corona Virus Scam


As of 7 January 2021, Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, had received 57 reports in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine.

- The NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details.
- The NHS will never ask you for your PIN or banking password.
- The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
- The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.  

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.
If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.


In the UK, coronavirus vaccines will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy local to you, to receive your vaccine. Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay.



Rogue traders

Please BE AWARE that some rogue traders are going around Park Home sites preying on the elderly. The Company in question is Smart Park Homes Ltd. They offer a free survey of the underneath of your home, loosen a pipe joint then video a leak, they then quote for pipe repairs and insulation at an extortionate price. On completion they video the area they have ‘repaired’ again before payment is made. When you check only half of the home has been done. When you ring to complain they give you a date when they will return to complete the work but don’t turn up and that is the last you will hear of them.
Post by IPHAS.

Trading Standards have received reports of bogus firms cold calling Cornwall park homes and offering to carry out repairs/improvements to units.  This is a scam.  Please avoid MPH Park and Leisure Ltd. (from Coventry or Lincolnshire).  Anyone with information about these tradesmen calling without appointment can Alert Trading Standards on: report-it@cornwall.gov.uk


TV Licensing Scam


Please be aware of an on-line message from the TV Licensing Authority, quoting your address and licence number and asking for payment on-line.


IT IS A SCAM TARGETING THE OVER 75's - It has been checked and the TV Licensing Office has said "Everyone will be informed by letter, there are no on-line messages from their office. The letter will explain how to pay"



Mobile Phones and Whatsapp.

Please be aware scammers are able to access the camera on you mobile phones etc;  covers are available to buy for PC, Mobile Phones, Ipad and Alexa Clock with Camera etc.  The covers slide open and shut and come in a pack of various sizes.  This enables you to choose when the camera is available. If you are using WhatsApp on your phone please be aware that this has happened to two residents recently.

There are many Scams around you may have had a call from Microsoft or BT saying there is a problem with your computer or internet. These are scams these companies will never telephone you.

 Take your time listen if in doubt hang up the telephone.

The scammers will say if you let them have remote control of your pc for a fee they will correct the fault.
Do Not do this.

 Fraudsters will ask for your account details their aim is to get access to your money.
Do Not give it.

 They may ask for your PIN details and other security information.  
Do Not give it.

 You may be asked to key your PIN into the phone using your keypad.
Do Not do it.  They have the means to record it and use later.

 They may say they need you to draw out a large amount of money as the bank has been involved with fraud.  They may ask you to put the  money and your card in envelope and they will send a taxi to pick up the money.
Do Not do this.
Action to take if you get a call: Be suspicious. End the call.

  NEVER give your PIN, security or bank details to anyone over the phone. Remember:

  WAIT at least five minutes before attempting to make another call to ensure you’re not reconnected to the offender.  Use a different phone e.g. a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone. If that is not possible then phone a known friend that you will recognise to test the phone to confirm you aren’t still unwittingly connected to the offender.

  •  NEVER give your bank account details or PIN number over the phone. 
  • NEVER withdraw money and send it to anyone via a courier, taxi or by any other means. 
  • NEVER send your bank cards to anyone via courier, taxi or by any other means. 
  • NEITHER the police,HMRC, nor your bank will EVER ask for this information.
You wouldn't give your information to a stranger face-to-face, don't do it over the phone.


Report

Don’t forget - wait at least five minutes before calling police or use a different phone e.g. a mobile or neighbour’s phone. Call 101 

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)