Essex Community Messages received -
JUNE 2015
Received 24/6/15 Beware Theft from cars
A message from Castle Point and Rochford District Essex Watch
With warmer weather finally with us there have been a few instances of property being taken from insecure vehicles. Can I remind you of a few simple steps to try and keep your vehicle and property safe.
• If you’re going out for the day or simply shopping in town please remember to lock your car, close windows and sunroofs as an open window is the ideal opportunity for a thief to reach in and take items within seconds.
• Remove or put items in the boot or glove compartment -
• Very simply, please lock your vehicle. Many thefts occur from vehicles that are insecure. Opportunist thieves will often try door handles to see if they are insecure.
For further information please visit
Received 23/6/15 Scam e-
A scam email is currently being sent to victims fraudulently claiming to be from the Royal Mail.The attachment on this email is known to infect the victim’s computer with CryptoLocker ransomware.
One of two email types have been received by the victims, both stating that the Royal Mail are holding an item for the victim and that a response to the email is required to arrange for the item to be resent/collected.
Email Type 1: Email states that they are holding a letter and there will be a £5 per day charge if the letter is not collected. It then instructs the victim to click on a link to get the letter resent. From here the ransomware infects the victims system.
Email Type 2: Email states that a parcel could not be delivered and that it is waiting for collection. A link on the email is provided for further information. The link takes the victim to a page that appears to be part of the Royal Mail website where victims are requested to enter a code (believed to have been in the original email). Once the code has been entered the victim is instructed to download an application, this application downloads the ransomware.
The ransomware encrypts files on the victim’s system and a window appears requesting a payment, to be made in Bitcoins, to decrypt the files. There is further incentive for early payment as the ransom states that the cost of decrypting the files will increase the longer the fine is outstanding.
The victim is asked to pay around £300-
The victims of this fraud, although primarily individuals, does also include a number of businesses.
Protection Advice
Essex Police advises that members of the public and businesses should take the following steps to reduce the potential for falling victim to this type of malware:
1. Look at who the email is addressed to; is it generic or specifically addressed?
2. Look at the quality of the images included on the email. Are they of sufficient high quality that they could come from Royal Mail?
3. Do not open attachments from unsolicited emails regardless of who they are from.
4. Do not click on the link supplied. Instead, go to the relevant website and log in from there.
5. Check the address of any email received to see if it appears legitimate.
6. Additional information regarding Royal Mail on-
Received 23/6/15 House Burglary
There have been a house burglary between 1pm and 2pm on Monday 22nd June in Rochford Garden Way Rochford.. If you have seen anything suspicious or have any information please call Essex Police on 101. You can also give anonymous information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or on-
Received 10/6/15 Courier Fraud
ActionFraud have announced details of a new tactic being used in relation to courier fraud involving Foreign Exchange Bureaus. As with the traditional types of courier fraud the victim receives a phone call and they are told that they’re speaking to a police officer and that the police want them to assist in an investigation. The police officer provides them with a phone number and asks them to call back so that the victim can verify their identity, or will direct the victim to contact their bank. The victim will physically put the phone down, but the fraudster will actually stay on the line – keeping it open.When the victim phones back they are still speaking to the fraudster who tells the victim that they are at risk of being defrauded and to stop this they need their assistance. They direct victims to visit Foreign Exchange Bureaus and withdraw foreign currency in Euros. The fraudsters will then arrange for the cash to be collected by taxi or courier service.
Protect yourself
• A genuine police officer would never contact you in this way.
• Banks and the police would never ask someone to aid an investigation withdrawing or transferring money
• If you receive one of these calls, end it immediately.
Victim advice
• Report this to Action Fraud
• If you have handed over any bank account details to the fraudster, call your bank and cancel your cards immediately.
• If you want to call your bank, then do it from another telephone. If you don’t have another telephone to use, call someone you know first to make sure the telephone line is free.
Please select the following link for further details.
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/alert-
Changes to the UK Driving Licence from 08/06/15
From June 8th, the paper counterpart (D740) to the photocard driving licence will no longer be a valid document and will no longer be produced and issued by the DVLA. Employers and vehicle hire companies who need to check driving entitlements or endorsements can now consult the online DVLA records directly, with the permission of the driver. Full details regarding the changes can be viewed on the following link -
Received 5/6/15 Burglaries in Rochford
We had 2 more house burglaries reported this morning on our District, Ravenswood Chase in Rochford and Park Gardens in Hockley. This is giving cause for concern and we are asking the public to be additionally vigilant. Ensure your homes are secure at all times and pay particular attention to anything you think may be suspicious and report it to us on 101 or 999 if you consider it an emergency so we can check it out. You can also give anonymous information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or on-
JULY
Received 10/7/15
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau Proactive Intelligence Team have identified that Courier fraudsters are identifying themselves to victims on the telephone as: Detective Constable Martin BENTON of New Scotland Yard Fraud Department
No such person exists at the Metropolitan Police. If you receive a call from someone purporting to be this individual, terminate the call immediately.
Protect yourself against courier fraud:
Your bank will never send a courier to your home
Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card
Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN
If you receive one of these calls end it immediately
Victim Advice:
If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk
If you have handed over any details to the fraudster, call your bank and cancel your cards immediately
If you want to call your bank, then do it from another telephone.
AUGUST
Received 3/8/15
Essex Police and Essex County Council Trading Standards are warning residents not to agree to work from traders who knock on your door offering tree cutting, gardening, roofing or other household maintenance. Residents across the county have been targeted via door knocking and leafleting for work that is often substandard, overpriced and unnecessary.
We are urging all residents to keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable neighbours and call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 040506, who handle calls for Trading Standards, to log any concerns so that we can ensure that residents do not get ripped off.
Some top tips to avoid being caught out by rogue/doorstep traders
▪ Never agree to household repairs or maintenance via a knock on the door
▪ Check out any leaflet through the door as often the address can be false and the telephone number untraceable
▪ If you need work carried out get at least three written quotations and ask family, friends and or neighbours about traders they have used.
▪ Use a Buy with Confidence business who have been audited and approved by Trading Standards via 03454 040506 or www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
▪ Ensure your relative, neighbour has not been the target of these rogue traders
If you are being threatened by a doorstep trader or they want to take you to the bank to obtain cash call 101 or 999.
To see previous Messages (March/April/May 2015) click here
SEPTEMBER
21/9/15 Local vandals
At the latest meeting of the Town Team, when the subject of youths on the street causing damage was raised, Councillor Mike Steptoe said that work was being done behind the scenes to deal with the problem, but in the meantime if you have any cause to believe they are committing a crime ring 999 straight away, or if you wish to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or on-
Received 14/9/15
A scheme which will allow victims of crime and anti-
The Essex Restorative Justice Hub facilitates safe communication between those involved in a crime or conflict and allows victims to ask questions and receive meaningful reparation for the harm that has been caused.
Restorative Justice results in high victim satisfaction and a reduction in reoffending as it encourages those who have caused harm to take responsibility for their actions. It is a voluntary process and everyone must consent to take part.
If you have been involved in a crime or Anti Social Behaviour and you feel that this process could help you, or
If you would like to become a volunteer as a Restorative Justice Facilitator and become part of the RJ Hub (full training is provided)
Please contact restorativejustice@essex.pnn.police.uk or ring 01245 291609
Further information can be found on the Essex PCC website: http://www.essex.pcc.police.uk/?s=restorative+justice