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Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter for Area LTB1 October 2008 (NHW132)

Credit Card Scam, Scams, Police Crime Report.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 13th October 2008 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch Area LTB1, Bridle Estate.

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

Next Meeting

When: Monday 20th October 2008.

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Salvation Army Hall,

Bridle Road, Morwell.

Credit Card Scam:

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has received a number of complaints from consumers who were sent an email that claimed they were charged for an airline ticket.

The email claimed that the recipient's credit card was charged around $500 and contained an attachment that appeared to be the ticket and receipt.

It was not a ticket and the recipient's card was not charged, but if the attachment was

opened, malicious software may be downloaded onto your computer.

Scammers use these programs to steal passwords such as online banking passwords. They may also use spyware to steal other personal information from you, such as documents that you have stored on your computer.

Anyone who receives an unexpected email should not open any attachments and should simply delete the email. Alternatively contact the airline to confirm if a ticket was purchased in your name. When doing so, make sure to use contact details that you have looked up yourself – DO NOT use any contact details provided in the email.

If you think you have opened an attachment, it would be wise to check the computer for malicious software.

Emails like this are a reminder to ensure you have up-to-date virus protection software and a good firewall for your computer.

Scams:

Scams are designed to trick you into giving away your money or your personal details. Scams come in many forms, by mail, email, telephone, over the internet and door to door. There are several methods that scammers use to steal your money or personal details. Here are two common ones.

1. Great Promises:

Scammers try to take you in by promising great prizes, true love or easy money. But before they deliver anything, they will ask you to send money or give them your bank account or credit card numbers or other personal details. They never deliver what you expect and always rip you off.

2. Requests For Your Personal Details:

Scammers pretend to be legitimate banks or businesses. They approach you out of the blue with leaflets, letters, emails, websites or phone calls with requests that seem like the real thing. Then they’ll give you a reason as to why you need to provide them with your personal details, like your credit card number, password, bank account number etc. But genuine organizations don’t usually make such unsolicited requests. If you provide them with your personal details, they could steal your money and your identity.

Why Do Scams Work:

A scam succeeds because it looks like the real thing. Scammers are manipulative, they try to get the response from you they want. Don’t let scammers steal your money and personal details. Protect yourself ,there are no guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes. The only people who get rich are the scammers.

No one is safe! Scams target everyone.

Police Crime Report for NHW Area LTB1 September 2008

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

• 24/8/2008 The Boulevard Property damage to a House.
• 31/8/2008 Chestnut Avenue Burglary at a house.
• 3/9/2008 Laurel Street Property damage in the car park.
• 3/9/2008 Bridle Road Theft from the milk-bar.
• 4/9/2008 Bridle Road Two incidents of property damage to the school.
• 4/9/2008 Gabo Way Property damage.
• 6/9/2008 Bridle Road Property damage to a residence.
• 10/9/2008 Garden Street Deception.
• 12/9/2008 Yarak Court Theft from a motor vehicle in the driveway.
• 15/9/2008 Bridle Road Theft from the school.
• 15/9/2008 The Avenue Theft from a motor vehicle in the garage of a house.
• 17/9/2008 Wyung Drive Arson on the Parkland Reserve.

Summary Of the Stolen Items For The Above Offences

3 Electrical appliances, 1 Car Accessory, 2 Cash/ Documents, 1 Cigarettes

1 Jewellery, 4 Personal Property, 1 Photographic Equipment.

3 Offenders charged for any reported offence in the area

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

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING THAT MAY HELP POLICE SOLVE OR PREVENT A CRIME RING CRIME STOPPERS 1300 333 000

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au