North Wales Community Alert

[SteveH]

Royal Mail scam e-mail / E-bost scam y Post Brenhinol.

⚠️ Scam emails claiming to be from the Royal Mail have recently been reported to Action Fraud over 5,000 times, so keep an eye out for them.

The e-mails claim that the recipient has missed a delivery and that a parcel is waiting for them. The links in the emails lead to fake but genuine-looking Royal Mail websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.

Despite these type of scam e-mails being quite common and most people being aware of the ‘parcel waiting’ scam, they are still catching people out. Please take your time to read and consider any e-mails like this carefully and never click on unverified links.

Please also take a few minutes to make sure that your family, friends and neighbours are aware of this type of scam and that they know what to look out for and what to do if they receive such a message.

✅ If you can please report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk

 ℹ️ Your reports have led to the removal of 337,672 scam websites as of June 2024.

#NWPCyberSafe

Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

 

[SteveH]

Please find attached the most recent Fraud Alert.

More information about fraud can be found at Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams (stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk)
https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/
 
If you have been the victim of fraud, please report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk

Tarian monthly fraud alert.... 
 https://members.northwalescommunityalert.co.uk/AlertMessage/Attachment/5140013A3A954F884ED57F50DA77702E

Message Sent By
DC 2675 Rachel Roberts
(North Wales Police, Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer, North Wales )

[SteveH]

We understand our communities may be feeling anxious in light of some of the disorder happening around the country and the tragic event in Southport. Yesterday was National play day and many of our schools and community officers attended events across North Wales and were welcomed by children and adults alike.

We are here for you and want to listen to your concerns, if you have an upcoming event this summer and would like us to attend, or if you have a community group that would like us to talk to you about crime prevention / personal safety, or if you are a business and have concerns please get in touch via email wedontbuycrime@northwales.police.uk and we will endeavour to come and see you, (resources permitting) alternatively you can call us on 101 with any concerns or information you have.

Community Safety Sgt
Message Sent By
PS 1620 Sue Carrington
(North Wales Police, Sergeant - Community Safety, Central Division)

[SteveH]

ℹ️ Watch out for FAKE NatWest emails claiming that your account's contact number has been updated. Action Fraud have received a number of reports about these e-mails recently.

If you receive an unexpected message, you should verify it’s validity by contacting the organisation directly using a verified number or e-mail address for them. Don’t reply to the message, click on any links within it or use any of the contact details noted within it.

✅ If you receive a suspicious email, you can also report it by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk. Over 337,000 malicious websites have been removed as a result of your reports.

#NWPCyberSafe
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)


Also I have experienced two cold callers recently (Llandudno) offering to clean my drive ranging from £500 to £800 and slowly reduced to £300,
not the tactics of honest businesses, be careful they are very glib..............

[SteveH]

HMRC scams are nothing new and are something that most people are aware of. However there has been a spike in this particular type of e-mail recently with over 700 reported to Action Fraud so far this month.

The emails state that the recipient is owed a tax refund, and so it may be very tempting to click on the link to find out more. However, the links provided in the scam emails lead to genuine-looking phishing websites that are designed to steal your personal and financial information.

 ✅ If you receive suspicious emails claiming to be from the HMRC you can report them by forwarding the emails to: phishing@hmrc.gov.uk

Learn more about different types of HMRC scams and how to spot them here - Examples of HMRC related phishing emails, suspicious phone calls and texts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

#NWPCyberSafe
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

We have received further reports of fake QR codes being placed on car parking machines and electric vehicle charging points across Conwy and Denbighshire. It is probable that it will spread to other parts of North Wales too.

Criminals often place stickers with their fake QR codes on them over the genuine QR codes. This is known as ‘quishing’ and the criminal’s fake QR code will take you to a fake website that will steal your financial and personal information. In addition to taking your money via the fake website, criminals will also capture your bank details and possibly other sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, or personally identifiable information (PII). That information can also be used for other purposes, such as identity theft, financial fraud, or ransomware."

Acting Detective Sergeant Roheryn Evans, from the North Wales Police Cyber Crime Team, said: “Criminals are always looking to exploit any means to trick people into providing their personal data, bank details or passwords. As with all other cybercrime, consider who is asking you to click on a QR code and whether or not the originator is genuine. Never provide personal information unless it is a trusted source.”

Advice when using QR codes:
Always check for tampered QR codes (stickers) before scanning. Some QR codes in open spaces (like stations and car parks) could be risky.
If in doubt, do not scan a code and use a search engine to find the official website or app for the organisation you need to make a payment to.
When scanning a QR code, use the QR-scanner built into your camera, or one that comes with your phone, as opposed to using a downloaded app from an app store.
If you receive an email with a QR code in it, and you're asked to scan it, you should exercise caution as police are seeing an increase in these types of 'quishing' attacks.
You should always check your bank accounts regularly and report any suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
 
#NWPCyberSafe
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

Local Results Analysis

A summary of the local results of the national Neighbourhood Alert annual member
survey October 2023

cont / stats https://members.northwalescommunityalert.co.uk/AlertMessage/Attachment/726DD0A209398B9E0CFC16B967E80F62

[SteveH]

A high number of people across North Wales have recently received fake messages alleging that they have an unpaid parking fine issued by a local council.

Links within some of these messages lead to a very convincing copy of an official government website, complete with accurate logos, branding and font. Recipients are asked for personal and payment details including the recipient’s name, email, phone number, home address and card details to pay the fine.

Never click on unverified links within unexpected messages. If you’re unsure if a message is genuine contact the organisation that it’s alleging to be from using valid and verified contact details to check if the message in genuine.

When you receive an unexpected message also consider checking the following -

- Check the URL - if it doesn't begin with 'https' or is different to what you're expecting, then don't visit it.

- Check for slight changes in the website address - scammers will often mimic an official website address, hoping you won't spot a small typo or slight change to the address.

If you think you’ve lost money due to a scam, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card or by calling 159.

#NWPCyberSafe
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)


 

[SteveH]

⚠️ Action Fraud have received numerous reports about FAKE emails claiming that your iCloud storage is about to run out.

The emails are designed to lure people to genuine-looking websites that steal your Apple ID login details, as well as other personal and financial information. Scammers will often use the stolen login details to hack into your account. Never click on any unverified links.

✅ You can help to beat the scammers by reporting suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk ℹ️ Over 345,000 malicious websites have been removed as a result of your reports.

#NWPCyberSafe
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

⚠️Action Fraud have received numerous reports about FAKE emails offering free Starbucks Coffee gift sets.

 The emails state that the recipient can claim a free coffee bundle. However, the links in the email are actually designed to steal your personal and financial information or download malware onto your personal device.

📨If you receive a suspicious email, you can report it by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk.

 NWPCyberSafe
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

£17.7 million was lost to pension fraud in England and Wales last year.

💰 Pension fraudsters will use the offer of a free pension review as a way of gaining access to your pension details.

If you get a call out of the blue about your pension, the safest thing to do is hang up.

It’s illegal and probably a scam.

Don’t let fraudsters enjoy your retirement! Learn more about protecting your pension here - https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/protectyourpension

#NWPCyberSafe #ProtectYourPension
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

📩Have you received a letter or invoice for a service you don’t recognise? This can be the first sign of identity fraud.

➡️Follow the Home Office’s checklist to help victims and organisations repair their identity and prevent re-victimisation.

Find out more here 👇

Identity fraud victims' checklist...........https://data.actionfraud.police.uk/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Identity-theft-victims-checklist.pdf

#NWPCMessage Sent By
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

⚠️Action Fraud have received over 1,100 reports about FAKE emails claiming to be from the DVLA. The emails claim that your "vehicle tax payment has failed". Their aim is to steal your financial and personal information.

📨 You can report such e-mail by forwarding them on to report@phishing.gov.uk

#NWPCyberSafe
Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)