WATCHWORD
Page last updated on Wednesday, 14-Jul-2010
1) This was received by a group coordinator.
A phone call is made to you from someone called John Peacock( with a distinct Arican/Jamaican accent) saying he is from B.T. and that unless you settle an unpaid bill in full -to the value of £31.00, there and then by credit card/visa, he will cut your 'phone off and charge a reconnection fee of £118.00 at a later date. If you refuse his demand and hang up, then try to redial, it will seem as though he has carried out his threat. When you stop trying to dial, he will ring you back as "proof" he is able to do as he says.
His action has been easily explained by Ian Younger, Certified Fraud Examiner and Member of the Fraud Advisory Panel: " The cutting of the line is very simple...the caller stays on the line with the mute button on and you cannot dial out -but he can hear you trying, (this is because the person who initiates the call must be the one who ends it). When you stop trying he hangs up and immediately calls back. VERY CONVINCING! This is not so much about obtaining money but getting your credit card details to be used at a later date for much larger purchases. BE WARNED. The Police have been informed.
2) This is from the Hants Police Coordinator;
A resident in South London received a phone call from a man claiming to represent "NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SUPPORT" saying that a brochure was going out to all local residents encouraging local businesses to advertise in it. The resident agreed and was later contacted by a "company" called 'BUSINESS COMMUNITY SUPPORT MULTIMEDIA' who took some details. A 'proof' document arrived at a later date with almost all the advertisers' details incorrectly printed. Despite repeated attempts, the"company" could not be contacted. Luckily, no money had been paid.
"NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SUPPORT" does not exist. The Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch Networks do not produce any brochure nor contract 'BUSINESS COMMUNITY SUPPORT MULTIMEDIA' to do so.
3) Tree Workers
A resident in Wood Road in Ashurst was approached by 'tree-workers' offering their services, to which the reply was... " no, we do our own". They then approached another house further up the road and became insistant that all trees in the surrounding area had to be checked.
If you are approached by these people and you do not want their services be firm in saying no, do not give any details of other properties and contact the Safer Neighbourhood Police Team on 0845 045 45 45 and your road coordinator.
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- Crimestoppers
- Hampshire Constabulary
- Hampshire County Council
- New Forest District Council
- New Forest National Park