Herald - Issue 389

4th June 2020 • The HERALD • Page 37 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v Thinking of Making a Will? Think CGM for Wills, Probate & Power of Attorney Naomi Hazlewood, Vanessa Fielding and Lisa Geraghty CGM Hampshire Ltd 7 Salisbury Road, Totton SO40 3HW Tel: 023 8087 1144 Naomi Hazlewood, Rebecca Hatton, Vanessa Fielding and Lisa Geraghty Rebecca Hatton CGM Hampshire Ltd 2a & 4a High Street, Hythe SO45 6YW Tel: 023 8084 2765 HOME VISITS AVAIALBLE www.c-g-m.co.uk LJM Bookkeeping Services I provide a range of accounting and business services to individuals, partnerships, charities and small businesses. I am licencensed through the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers for the following services.  Bookkeeping, Computerised Accounting Software, Final Year End Accounts, Payroll Management, CIS, VAT, Self Assessment Tax for Individuals and Construction Industry Scheme, Statutory Accounts for Small Businesses including Corporation Tax and related submissions, Holiday cover can also be provided for, hourly rates charged. Please contact Lynda McIntyre Email:   ljmbookkeepingservices@gmail.com Telephone:  07774 790543 ASK A PROFESSIONAL Council Introduces Shared Ownership Scheme To Help New Forest Locals Get On The Property Ladder Local households will have a better chance of getting on the property ladder thanks to a new scheme agreed at New Forest District Council’s Cabinet meeting last month. e Council’s shared ownership scheme is designed to help those who can’t otherwise a ord to purchase a home of their own on the open market. e new scheme will enable people to buy a share of their home, requiring a smaller deposit and smaller mortgage, and pay rent on the remaining share. Initial shares can be as little as 25%, to as much as 75% ownership. If a shared-owner’s nancial circumstances change, additional shares can be purchased until the home is owned outright, with rent reducing as shares in the property increase. Cllr Jill Cleary, Portfolio Holder for Housing said; “I’m eager to introduce this scheme as part of the Council’s commitment to providing a variety of affordable housing options in the district and greater housing choice and stability for our residents. Shared ownership will help those who wish to get on the property ladder but can’t afford to buy on the open market because of high prices locally. Not only are the initial costs lower with shared ownership, but the combined costs of a mortgage and rent can be cheaper than renting privately.” e Council’s Housing Strategy 2018 sets out ambitious plans to provide at least 600 new Council homes by 2026 with social rent, a ordable rent, and shared ownership tenures. e Council’s shared ownership scheme is modelled on the Homes England model, recognised and accepted by the market and mortgage lenders. Shared ownership will be available on selected new homes in the district, built as part of the Council’s ongoing housing development projects. e Council will advertise its shared ownership homes and accept applications through the local Help to Buy agent and on its website. Eligible households must have a connection to the New Forest district and be registered with the Help to Buy agent. Information about future new schemes will be provided on the Council’s website. In the meantime those who would like to know more about shared ownership or would like to register with the Help To Buy should contact the agency at www.helptobuyagent3. org.uk/ Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud people. Below are some of the most common scams to be aware of: EMAIL, TEXT & PHONE CALL SCAMS • An unexpected email from the government o ering you money. • e ‘infection list’ scam mimicking the World Health Organisation (WHO) claiming to provide a list or map of local infections. • An email from HM Government asking for donations for the NHS. • An HMRC email stating you are ‘eligible to receive a tax refund’. • Sale of fake COVID-19 swabbing tests, supplements, and anti-virus kits. • A text message asking you to pay a ne as it says you have been ‘recorded as leaving your home on three occasions’ during the lockdown. • A phone call stating ‘government guidelines now require everyone to wear a mask outside the house, press 1 to purchase your mask’. DOORSTEP CRIME • Cleansing services that o er to clean drives and doorways to kill bacteria or o ering to ‘decontaminate’ the inside of your home. • Bogus healthcare workers o ering to take your temperature or provide ‘home-testing’ for the virus. • Criminals o ering to do your shopping. ey take the money and do not return. ADVICE & SUPPORT: Always question unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or nancial information (name, address, bank details). To verify the company contact them directly using a known email or phone number. For advice on cybercrime, or to report suspicious emails, visit www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home Anyone who has been a victim of fraud or cybercrime can report it online at www. actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 SCAM AWARENESS