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Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter for May 2010 NHW Area LTB1 (NHW149)

Hot Mobile Phones, Mobile Phone Security, Scamwatch, Police Crime Report.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 11th May 2010 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch Area Newsletter for May 2010 LTB1, Bridle Estate.

Police Co-ordinator: Senior Constable Brett Godden, Phone 5131 5085

If you know anything which might help police solve or prevent a crime, Phone Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

NURSE-ON-CALL 1300 60 60 24

Call SES 132 500

Hot Mobile Phones:

If your mobile phone is stolen, here is a little bit of "get your own back". Your mobile phone has a serial number known as an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. To check your mobile phones IMEI serial number, key in the following digits on your phone keypad *#06#, a 15 digit or more code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset, record it and keep it safe.

Should your phone get stolen, ring your service provider, and give them your phone’s IMEI code. They will then be able to block your handset, so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will still be totally useless. You probably won’t get your phone back, but whoever stole it can’t use it or sell it.

Mobile Phones Disposal:

Care is Required when disposing of old mobile phones and other devices that store personal information. Most phones have an internal memory where phone numbers, appointments, reminders and personal data are stored. Even when SIM cards are removed, information remains on the phone that can be detrimental to the owner if the phone falls into the wrong hands.

Owners of mobile phones should wipe all personal data from their phones and remove the SIM card before disposing of the handset. It is also important to ensure data is removed if the owner wishes to donate the phone, and that phones are re-cycled through specialist e-waste re-cyclers who can guarantee destruction.

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) runs a free national re-cycling program, which has re-cycled 3.5 million batteries and handset over the last ten years. The phones are dismantled and the re-cycled individually. Metals from the batteries and plastics from the handsets are re-used. Precious metals such as gold and silver from the circuit boards are also extracted.

SCAMwatch:

SCAMwatch a website managed by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) to help consumers to identify scams and protect themselves against unscrupulous con artists. Initiatives like SCAMwatch play an important roll in raising awareness of the many methods used by scammers to trick unsuspecting consumers into revealing bank account and personal details.

Scams are becoming more sophisticated, making them more difficult to spot. Visit the SCAMwatch website www.scamwatch.gov.au which is constantly updated with information on how to recognise the latest scams, security advice and reporting a scam. There are also personal stories from those who have succumbed.

SCAMwatch advises that the first step in keeping yourself safe from scams is to do your research and remember, ‘If an offer is too good to be true, it probably is’

Police Crime Report for NHW Area LTB1 May 2010-05-10

Due To Privacy Considerations NOT ALL Offences For This Area Are Listed

• 24/3/2010  Park Avenue,   Handle stolen goods.
• 5/4/2010  Bunyip Court,   Property damage to a house.
• 5/4/2010  Wattle Tree Crescent,   Theft from a motor vehicle in the driveway of a house.
• 7/4/2010  Yarak Court,  Property damage to a house.
• 8/4/2010  Bridle Road,   Theft from a motor vehicle in the driveway of a house.
• 10/4/2010  Bridle Road,   Property damage to a house.
• 14/4/2010  Chestnut Avenue,   Property damage to a house.
• 25/4/2010  The Boulevard,   Property damage to a house.
• 24/4/2010  The Avenue,   Property damage.
• 25/4/2010  The Avenue,   Theft from the backyard of a house.
• 25/4/2010  Spring Court,   Burglary at a house.

Summary Of Stolen Items For The Above Offences

• 1 Electrical Appliance.
• 1 Cash/Document.
• 1 Cigarettes/Liquor.
• 2 Personal Property.
• 4 Other.

2 Offenders were arrested for any reported offence in the area.

Remember! always report any suspicious incidents to the Police by dialling 000 (triple zero)

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au

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