Youth Bus stopping in Littleworth at NJK, C of E Primary School, 5.35pm on 17th December and dates in January tbc.
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
No sooner has the threat of Black Friday passed, then we enter the full-on Christmas shopping period, and once again the criminals will want to tempt the unwary online with those “too good to be true” offers.
So, what are the options, face the crowds in the shopping malls, or relax at home and do the Christmas Shop online?
Whilst the internet is the first port of call for Christmas Gift bargains for many in terms of speed, convenience and savings, it also provides a great opportunity for Fraudsters to profit at your expense.
Even when you have been wary throughout the year with your online shopping, it can be so easy to be caught out in the heat of the moment in the rush up to Christmas when our minds are elsewhere, or just too busy to carry out a check to see if that “bargain” really is a bargain.
Also, beware of those Phishing emails claiming to be from genuine charities and playing on the season of goodwill. They may even display seemingly genuine logos for national charities, such as Red Cross or Salvation Army, but the charity will never see your money.
So always go directly to the chosen charity’s website to donate, and always beware of door to door, and street collectors if they cannot show genuine identification for the actual charity. So once again, it is safer to donate to that charity direct.
Therefore, once again, please make family members aware, particularly those in the vulnerable age groups. Especially be mindful when shopping on Social Media platforms, as this is by far the most likely medium for shopping and auction frauds to take place.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
So online shoppers are urged to protect their accounts. Do use secure payment methods to stay ahead of the threat from fraudsters who are particularly active with the build-up in Christmas shopping online.
Protect your accounts: set up 2-step verification and use 3 Random Word passwords to prevent Cyber criminals gaining access to any of your accounts (see Three random words – https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/)
Be wary about where you shop online – check out Online Retailers, especially ones you have not used before and make sure they are legitimate
Don’t pay for goods or services by bank transfer unless you know and trust the person. Payments via bank transfer may not offer you sufficient protection if you become a victim of fraud.
Pay Securely: use a Credit Card when shopping online as most major Credit Card companies protect online purchases. Also using a Credit Card rather than a Debit Card means your main bank account will not be affected if your details are stolen.
Whenever you pay always look for the “Closed Padlock “symbol in the web address bar showing your connection is secure
Finally, Do not let Christmas come early for criminals and fraudsters.
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT
Take Five to Stop Fraud
STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud
If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.
Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. Scam mobile calls can also be forwarded to 7726, followed by the word “CALL”, then the scam phone number
Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk
For further information visit:
Recycle right and you could win with Litter Lotto at Home™
Residents can now win amazing cash prizes just for putting their recycling in the right bin with the launch of a new app.
Wychavon has joined forces with Litter Lotto at Home™ to make it even easier for people to put the right item in the right bin thanks to the app’s cutting-edge AI technology.
All residents have to do is download the free Litter Lotto® app and register for an account. They then click on the Litter Lotto at Home™ section and use their phone’s camera to scan the item they want to dispose of. The app will tell them which bin it needs to go in. Every item correctly recycled is as an entry into an exclusive monthly prize draw for Wychavon residents with a £250 cash prize on offer. Residents also get access to a national prize draw with £1,000 up for grabs.
Wychavon has launched the app in response to growing levels of recycling contamination – when the wrong items are put in the green recycling bin. Recent analysis has revealed items including nappies, food waste, electric items and plastic film have all been put in the green bin when they should have been disposed of in other ways.
Contamination is an issue as it can not only damage other items so they can no longer be recycled but it is also expensive to deal with.
Tim Lewis, Wychavon’s Head of Client Services, said: “With Litter Lotto at Home™ it is now easier than ever to get your recycling right. By using the app, not only will you be sure you are putting the right item in the right bin, but you also get the chance to win cash prizes as a reward for doing the right thing.”
The app is free to download from the Google Play and Apple App stores by searching for Litter Lotto ®. People can also visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/litter-lotto for more information.
Pictured: Tim Lewis, Head of Client Services for Wychavon District Council, with the new Litter Lotto at Home™ app.