To apply, or for more details, please contact Louise Johnson louise.epc@gmail.com before 10 September 2020.
To apply, or for more details, please contact Louise Johnson louise.epc@gmail.com before 10 September 2020.
Many of us are aware that criminals regularly make telephone calls claiming to be HMRC. Increasingly, they are making these calls claiming that there is a warrant out for the arrest of the recipient and that they are required to pay their ‘outstanding debt’ in order to avoid arrest. However, they proceed to ask the recipient to pay off this debt using gift cards, including Amazon and iTunes gift cards.
Due to the fact that gift cards are relatively untraceable, this proves to be a low-risk, high-reward scam. As recently as this week, four people paid £1,000 each in Peterborough.
What to look out for:
If you think you have been a victim of this scam or have received similar calls claiming to be from HMRC, report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk
This can also happen to businesses. Be alert for any unusual requests from colleagues asking to purchase gift cards and check whether they have come from a genuine email address.
Over 100 reports have been received of an email circulating claiming to be from Asda offering a £1,000 gift card for filling in an online form.
These emails are known as phishingand use prizes to entice people to give out their personal information. Fake emails from supermarket chains are particularly common and offer a large shopping voucher in return for completing online forms/surveys. They will often be accompanied by a number of glowing reviews from customers who allegedly received a voucher.
The reports of phishing emails have escalated during lockdown, with criminals increasingly turning to online scams to target those who have been spending more time at home. Earlier in the year, Essex Trading Standards released the following statement:
“Please be aware of these scam emails circulating to be from various supermarkets.The scammers cloak the email in the branding of a popular supermarket chain and inform the recipient that they have received a money off voucher to assist with purchases during the quarantine.The email then directs the recipient to click a link so that they may claim the coupon. Rather than being a kind offer from some of Britain’s most popular chains, it is a fraudulent email which aims to steal the credit card details of the recipient.
Look out for the telltale signs that the voucher offer is a scam, such as poor spelling and grammar; however, this is not always the case, and many look identical to official supermarket emails.
Never click the links or input your card details.If an offer sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.”
As many of you are aware, in August 2020 there will be changes to the over-75’s TV licence.You will now only be entitled to a free TV licence if:
Households that do not fall into this category will need to begin paying for a TV Licence. During August and September, TV licencing will be writing to those who need to set up a licence explaining the next steps. However, we know that criminals have been exploiting TV licencing email scams for a number of years.
TV licencing have provided an excellent FAQ on how to spot a genuine TV licence email but the five key points to look out for are:
1.Check the sender—all genuine emails are sent from donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk or donotreply@spp.tvlicensing.co.uk.
2.Check for a postcode—if you have provided a postcode to TV licencing then their emails will include part of that postcode.
3.Check your name—TV licencing will address you by name. Be suspicious of any that address you as ‘ Dear Customer’ or just use your email address.
4.Check the spelling & grammar—look for unusual hyphens and strange or missing full stops. They may also put capital letters on unusual words.
5.Check the links—always check where the links are taking you before you click on them—hover over them on a computer or press and hold on a phone/tablet.
REMEMBER: There are other ways of contacting TV licencing, including over the phone. There is also a helpline for over-75 TV licence queries—call 0300 790 6117.
Carnival Cruises have confirmed they were the victims of a data breach on August 15th 2020, meaning staff and customer personal data may have been stolen.Carnival have not stated how many customers had been targeted, or which brands had been affected (as Carnival operate a number of big brand names including P&O, Cunard and Princess Cruises).
Anyone who is a customer is advised to change their account password using the advice provided by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).It is also suggested that they monitor their bank account for suspicious activity and be vigilant for unexpected emails.
Action Fraud have warned of a widely reported scam where criminals use Facebook Messenger pretending to be a friend or family member asking for the use of residents PayPal accounts.
Scammers will state that they have sold an item on Ebay but cannot receive payment because they do not have a PayPal account. They request that the payment be sent via the message recipient’s PayPal account before being transferred to an account controlled by the fraudster. Once this has been done, the original transaction is reversed and the PayPal account is left in negative balance.
Again, residents are urged to update their PayPal password information and if possible turn on two-factor authentication (using another method to verify it is you).
For more info, read the Action Fraud article here.
Keep up to date with fraud and do even more online at essex.police.uk
 Face coverings protect others From today (24 July) you must to wear a face covering by law in the following settings: shops supermarkets indoor shopping centres public transport banks, building societies, and post offices transport hubs (such as airports, stations and terminals) Face coverings will not be mandatory for anyone under the age of 11, those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments. ► Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own ► Latest message from Cllr John Lodge, Leader of Uttlesford District Council Leisure centres set to reopen  With the lifting of lockdown restrictions, there will be a phased reopening of the three leisure centres in the district. Great Dunmow Leisure Centre and Lord Butler Leisure Centre will be reopening on Monday 27 July on reduced opening hours. Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre will be reopening on reduced opening hours on Monday 10 August. A phased reopening is planned for services in the centres over the next few months. For further details, please check the 1Life page for each centre: Lord Butler Leisure Centre Great Dunmow Leisure Centre Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre Shop local, shop safe  Please support our retailers by shopping local and safely – maintain social distancing at all times, wear a face covering, and follow the signage that is in place to protect you and others. ► Advice for shoppers – how to stay safe while out shopping, where to park and getting further updates as new businesses open up ► Advice for businesses – which businesses can open, when you can open and how to work safely. Survey: have your say on temporary road closures in Saffron Walden  The Saffron Walden Business Improvement District is asking for people’s views on the closure of the Market Square to traffic during the pandemic. There are only a few questions so it should not take long to complete. ► Take part in the survey Thinking of starting a food business from your home? Please remember that you must register your business at least 28 days before you start trading. Food premises registration is a legal requirement, and failure to do so could result in legal proceedings. There is no fee for registration. You can register online or print a registration form on our website. Libraries update  A further seven libraries are now open, including Thaxted. Please note, the number of customers allowed in a library at any one time will be reduced to help people stay safe. Time spent in the library will also be limited. You can find out more information about our safety measures or watch a video on what to expect. Cut your energy costs  The Essex Energy Switch, a countywide initiative designed to help residents reduce their gas and electricity bills, saved an average of £258 for each of the 1,644 households who took part when the scheme ran earlier this year. In October the cycle starts again, when energy companies will once again bid at an auction to see who can offer the lowest energy tariff to households who have signed up. You can register any time from 4 August until 5 October. ► Find out more It’s competition time!  Love Essex is giving away a plastic-free picnic hamper to one lucky winner that has signed the Essex Plastic Pledge this month. If you haven’t already signed up, click here and take the pledge! The competition closes at midnight on 31 July – T&Cs apply. Summer Holiday activity camp Essex Boys And Girls Clubs will be running an activity camp for 5 to 13 year olds in Uttlesford every day (Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm) of the summer holidays. The programme will take place in three locations: Monday and Tuesday at Newport Youth Club Wednesday and Thursday at Thaxted Youth Club Friday at Sampfords Youth Club The day consist of a range of fun activities and lunch. For more information, email Rebecca on rebeccas@essexboysandgirlsclubs.org. ► Book a place Click & Collect activity packs  Saffron Walden Museum’s next click and collect activity pack “Romans going Potty!” is now available to buy online. This week become a museum conservator and rebuild a Roman pot from a real pot sherd, make a mosaic and a Roman coin stamp. ► Book yours online Pack collection is from Wednesday 29 July. Email cpratt@uttlesford.gov.uk to arrange your collection. Looking after your mental health  It is important that we all take a little extra care to look after our mental health. With many feeling worried, anxious or isolated during these challenging times, Every Mind Matters highlights that there are lots of things we can all do to look after our mental wellbeing and help others to prevent any concerns they have from becoming serious issues. Protect yourself and others Handwashing plays a key role in protecting yourself and others from coronavirus. Wash your hands more often Use soap and water for 20 seconds Or use hand sanitiser ► How to wash your hands Stay alert to stay safe We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must: stay at home as much as possible work from home if you can limit contact with other people keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible) wash your hands regularly Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms. ► FAQs: what you can and cannot ► Latest NHS advice   |
Playgrounds have been one of the last things to open, because the risk of transmission of the virus is likely to be higher in these areas, given the extent of shared contact.
The government has advised that playgrounds can reopen from 4th July, but only if it is safe to do so.
The government has set out guidance for managing playgrounds and the Parish Council must assess the practical application of these guidelines as some of these are considerably challenging. The Parish Council has a duty of care not only to the public but to our staff.
The decision to delay the opening until 17th July also took into consideration the Parish Council’s wish to protect the school bubbles and their staff. Our local education and childcare facilities have worked hard to create a safe environment for our children. The bubbles do not share outdoor equipment and large play equipment has been closed. Therefore, it was deemed sensible that we should follow their example and reopen the playground for the summer holidays.
To reopen the playground, it will not be possible for Elsenham Parish Council to provide the following elements of the government guidelines. The Parish Council’s insurance company must also agree to our approach.
Elsenham Parish Council will carry out the following to reopen the playground
Elsenham Playground COVID-19 Signage:
If you or someone you know is vulnerable and has been a victim of fraud, please call Essex Police on 101.
Report fraud or attempted fraud by contacting Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
NHS TRACK AND TRACE
With the development of Track and Trace, many people have been asking for advice around how this works.
Please find below the official advice from the GOV.UK website on how the system works and advice on how to avoid being the victim of any possible scams as a result of the implementation of this system.
When we contact you
If the NHS test and trace service contacts you, the service will use text messages, email or phone.
All texts or emails will ask you to sign into the NHS test and trace contact-tracing website.
If NHS test and trace calls you by phone, the service will be using a single phone number: 0300 013 5000.
All information you provide to the NHS test and trace service is held in strict confidence and will only be kept and used in line with the Data Protection Act 2018.
Contact tracers will:
• call you from 0300 013 5000
• send you text messages from ‘NHS’
• ask for your full name and date of birth to confirm your identity, and postcode to offer support while self-isolating
• ask if you are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms
• provide advice on what you must do as you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus
Contact tracers will never:
• ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to us (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
• ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product of any kind
• ask for any details about your bank account
• ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
• ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
• disclose any of your personal or medical information to your contacts
• provide medical advice on the treatment of any potential coronavirus symptoms
• ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else
• ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS
For the full guidance/information please check the GOV.UK website – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
Remember our advice
If in doubt use the A, B, C of scam awareness:
A- Never Assume a caller, email or text is genuine.
B- Never Believe a caller, email or text is genuine.
C- Always Confirm by contacting a trusted number, family member, friend, your bank’s fraud department or the police to check if it’s genuine.
‘Tell2, protect many’ is a communication initiative that empowers you to spread crime prevention messages to others in your life, who otherwise may never know.
Start with ‘tell2’ and ask them to do the same. It starts with YOU!
As a result of the pandemic, parents, carers and young people are facing a range of issues. That’s why the Essex Welfare Service (EWS) is now supporting families experiencing difficulties. We can provide you with support on issues such as:
• managing family relationships
• parenting
• managing change
• coping with anxiety
• separation and loss
We have a team of friendly family advisors ready to take your call on 0300 303 9988 or you can visit Getting Help in Essex.
