Suspicious Vehicle - All Areas

Suspicious Vehicle

Reports of a Blue Transit van with registration similar to OHZ5706 with markings "Professional Coatings" called at a property in Drennan Road Lisburn area today and were very persistant for a sale.

Please be wary of cold callers. If you are sourcing work done be sure to contact a reputable firm.

All Areas - Bogus Callers

Police in D District (Antrim, Carrickfergus, Lisburn and Newtownabbey) are advising householders to be wary of a new bogus caller scam which takes advantage of the new “digital TV switchover”

A number of people across the District have reported bogus callers trying to trick their way inside by saying they are making preparations for the householder to receive digital channels on their television sets.

The ‘digital switchover’ means homes will no longer be able to receive an analogue signal and will only be able to watch a television with a built-in digital receiver, a digital set-top box or a subscription to a satellite or cable service.

Anyone calling at a home to do any work in connection with the switchover will only do so where a the householder has arranged an appointment. All digital installers wear uniforms and carry ID. In the interests of security they can also arrange a password with the homeowner and installers will also telephone households in advance of the appointment so that they will know the technician calling with them is genuine.

As with any unplanned or suspicious caller, householders should not grant them access the home without satisfying themselves the caller is who they claim. Residents are encouraged to use Quick Check - 0800 013 22 90 - a 24-hour Freephone service which can independently verify the identity unexpected callers.

Local police can be contacted on 0845 600 8000 or in an emergency via 999.

All Areas - Bogus Rate Refunds

This is being covered by the BBC - for your info.

5 September 2012 Last updated at 10:36

Bogus callers alert over rates refunds

Land & Property Services, the agency responsible for collecting rates, is urging householders to be on their guard against bogus callers.

It comes after two incidents when callers tried to obtain bank details from householders on the pretext that they were due a refund on their rates.

The incidents happened in the Belfast and Lisburn areas in recent days.

The agency stressed that ratepayers should not give bank details to anyone who contacted them about refunds.

In a statement, it said: "At times, LPS may contact ratepayers either by phone or in person to discuss outstanding rates or to seek further information about a rate account.

"When LPS staff phone you, they will always confirm security information in relation to your rate account with you. "

The agency said on occasion it was necessary for its staff to call at customers' doors but they would carry identification, including their name and photograph.

"Householders should take care to examine the ID of persons calling at their door," said LPS.

"If in doubt, telephone the LPS helpline on 0300 200 7801 where staff will be able to confirm if the person is genuine."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19488608

General All Areas

Distraction Burglaries

Three persons were responsible for an attempted distraction burglary at approximately 4:40pm in Hillsborough yesterday afternoon.

Two males in their mid-late 20s called at the home of an elderly female saying they were from NIE and they wanted to check a telegraph pole in the rear garden. A third male, wearing grey trousers and a blue top with dark hairwas standing in the street waiting for them.

They were believed to be using a black Audi with silver roof rails. No registration identified as yet.

A similar incident occurred in the Newtownards area around lunchtime also involving 3 males.

On Thursday 23 August 3 around 530pm males also claimed to be heating engineers in order to gain access to a property in the Lawnmount Crescent area of Lisburn.

Please make elderly neighbours / relatives aware of bogus callers operating in the area. Any legitimate callers will have correct identification and will allow time for checks to be carried out.

Please report any suspicious callers to police and if possible note details of any vehicles and registration.

Suspicious Activity

Suspicious Activity

Two males were disturbed in the Trummery Heights area of Maghaberry around 3am on Thursday 16 August.

The householder was alerted by the activation of security lighting. The men ran off but had been disturbed around the oil tank. Both were wearing dark heavy rain jackets.

All areas general

Morning all.

Please see details below of a method being used by mobile phone call/ text scam artists. Of note is the use of a false UK landland number to lull the victim into a false sense of security.

Mobile phone users are asked not to accept a UK contact number as proof that a mobile phone cold-caller is genuine as 'fake' UK landline numbers can be used by fraudsters to mask their overseas location.

Police are aware of a number of 'scam' texts and phone calls designed to trick members of the public into making payments for non-existent services, such as Payment Protection Insurance compensation and computer fault repair.

A phone call or text is received by the mobile phone, using a UK landland number for the potential victim to call back to find out more. However, such landline numbers can in fact be based overseas and are not proof that the caller is genuine.

If such a call or text is a scam the fraudster is likely to be based overseas, despite the appearance of the landline number offered.

The scam caller will then ask for a 'U-Cash' voucher or similar to be used for payment to be made for services which do not exist.

Police would always recommend that members of the public who wish to use the services of a firms such as Payment Protection Insurance recovery company or a computer repair company do so by seeking a personally recommended and/ or reputable and established firm.

Anyone who has lost money to a scam like this should report it by contacting police on 0845 600 8000 and also using the Action Fraud website (www.actionfraud.police.uk). Members of the public who were not a victim but aware of an attempted fraud should use the Action Fraud service directly.
Further guidance -
Advice to avoid computer software service/ repair scam calls -

• Computer firms do not make unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer. Fraudsters make these phone calls to try to steal from you and damage your computer with malware. Treat all unsolicited phone calls with scepticism and don’t give out any personal information.
• Computer firms tend not to send out unsolicited communication about security updates, although they do send security software updates to subscribers of the security communications program. If in doubt, don’t open the email.
• Microsoft does not request credit card information to validate copies of Windows. Microsoft does validate requests to download software from its website via its ‘Genuine Advantage Program’, but never asks for any personally identifying information, including credit card details.
• The ‘Microsoft Lottery’ does not exist.

Thanks and regards,

Colin

Glenavy - arson attack

Arson

There was an arson attempt on Glenavy Protestant Hall Main Street Glenavy overnight.

Two wheelie bins had been placed against he gates to the hall grounds and set alight.

Again if you noticed any suspicious activity around the hall please contact police with details.