Stop, hang up, call 159

159 is a security scheme launched in conjunction with major UK banks. Calling 159 puts you directly in touch with your bank.

If you receive a phone call and you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details: STOP, HANG UP & CALL 159.

159 will never call you, but you can rely on 159 to get you through to your bank. Call 159 if

• someone contacts you saying they’re from your bank, even if they are not suspicious

• you receive a call asking you to transfer money or make a payment, even if it seems genuine

• you receive a call about a financial matter and it seems suspicious

BEWARE QR CODE SCAMS

Recent alerts have been raised by Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, as well as Action Fraud, regarding QR code scams. These can take many forms, including:

• QR email scams (known as ‘quishing’; a mix of QR codes/email phishing) You may be asked to scan a QR code within an email appearing to be from legitimate company.

• QR payment scams Scammers can place QR codes in public places such as parking meters and restaurant menus, covering the original QR to steal your card details/money.

• QR donation scams Scammers may attempt to steal money by creating a fake charity or impersonating an existing one.

• QR package scams Criminals may send you mail that you never ordered requesting you to scan a QR code on the package for more information.

Help protect yourself by taking the following steps

• Take 5 before you scan! Don’t be rushed.

• Check for tampering; make sure the QR code isn’t hiding an existing QR code. Contact the company if in doubt.

• Ensure the QR website URL seems legitimate. Does it look right? Check for misspelling of the site.

• Don’t scan QR codes from unknown senders.

 If you think you are a victim of a QR code scam:

1. Contact your bank so they can take steps to protect your finances.

2. Change your passwords, ideally setting up two-factor authentication.

3. Report the scam to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040

Scam Awareness

A scam is a fraudulent attempt to get money from someone after making uninvited contact by phone, email, letter or in person. Scams are an ever-present risk with even the most seemingly savvy amongst us at danger of being fooled.

Friends Against Scams is a National Trading Standards Scams Team initiative which aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams. The organisation offers in-person and short online Scam Awareness sessions to increase understanding about the different types of scams, how to report them - and how to support a victim of a scam. People who have completed the training are encouraged to share their knowledge with family and neighbours.

Buckinghamshire Council Community Safety Officers have been out and about raising awareness of scams across the county. This work is in partnership with Bucks Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards, Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards also offer free trueCall devices to those whose are vulnerable and are susceptible to scam calls. The device plugs into a landline phone socket and automatically blocks unwanted calls. Call Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards on 0300 123 2329 to see if you or a family member are eligible for a free trueCall device.

Car Parking Scams

Extracts from an Alert Message from Thames Valley Police. Read the full Alert.

From Fake Text messages about unpaid tickets to tampered car park machines that secretly steal your card details, fraudsters are becoming increasingly creative.

Fake parking fines

Three signs to ascertain that it is a genuine parking notice:

• Real Parking fines will include the vehicle registration

• Real Parking fines will show the time/date of the offence

• Real Parking fines will show the Location where the alleged offence took place

A genuine fine will always come in writing and will be left on your windscreen, handed to you in person or arrive in the post. There are three types of fines you may receive:

• A penalty charge notice issued by the council

• A fixed penalty notice issued by the police usually linked to offences such as speeding

• A parking charge notice issued by a private company

What to do - and not do

If you have received a text message or email that doesn’t feel right, STOP! (This advice applies to all suspicious communications, not just potential parking scams.)

1. Break the contact: do not reply, do not click on any links, do not call any phone numbers, do not make any payments.

2. Check if it is genuine: contact the organisation directly using an email address or phone number you know is correct, e.g. from bills or official communications, via a search engine, on the back of your bank card, by calling 159 (see below)

3. Forward spam calls and texts messages to 7726 and emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

Visit the StopThinkFraud website for information on how to protect yourself from fraud. If you have lost money or provided financial information because of fraud, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.

Skimming devices on parking machines

This is a new scam which targets people paying for parking at machines. Fraudsters attach a physical device to the contactless payment reader on a parking machine and when you try to pay, the machine displays a “card declined” message. You walk away to try another machine but the skimming device has already stolen your card details.

How to tell if a parking machine might have been tampered with:

• Check for extra stickers or other items on top of the contactless payment button

• Check for correct logos and branding.

• Trust your Instincts. If something looks or feels suspicious, don’t use the machine.

If in doubt, pay by cash or use a parking app on your smartphone.