Herald - Issue 406

Page 66 • The HERALD • 13th May 2021 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v AUTOPAT A Family Business Established since 1982 PROMPT & EFFICIENT v Servicing v Mechanical Repairs v MOT’s - Petrol & Diesel v Air Conditioning Service Unit 3, Hardley Ind. Est., Hythe 023 8084 0163 • Latest 4-Wheel ComputerisedWheel Tracking • FREE Wheel Alignment Check with Service • FREE Local Collection & Delivery BOOK ONLINE H Clutches H Diagnostics H Air Conditioning H 4 Wheel Alignment H H Cambelts H Service to Manufacturers Specification H BADMINSTONS HYTHE PHONE: 023 8001 9090 • EMAIL: b.hythe@hotmail.com Web: badminstonsgroup.co.uk/hythe • F badminstonsofhythe 50 SHORE ROAD, HYTHE SO45 6GJ MOT & SERVICE CENTRE for Cars, Vans and Motorhomes 145 Long Lane, Holbury SO45 2NZ Tel: 023 8024 3300 NOWOPEN SUNDAYS FROM 10AM-2PM FOR ALL YOUR MOTORING NEEDS LOCALLY • Free fit batteries (most cars) • Free fit wiper blades • Battery chargers • Oils • Braking • Service parts • Tools/tool hire • Car paints • Engine management diagnostics/reset • Towing accessories • Number plates • Exhaust systems • Steering/suspension • Haynes manuals W: www.cobramotorcomponents.co.uk E: sales@cobramotorcomponents.co.uk Send your local news to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH or email editor@herald-publishing.co.uk According to Action Fraud, the COVID-19 lockdown over the past 12 months has seen a 400% increase in scams. Hythe & Waterside Rotary are playing their part in raising awareness of the types of scams that allow criminals to take advantage during these di cult times, even though lockdown measures are easing. Vaccination scams are emerging as one of the top threats. A phone call, email or text message is sent in an attempt to steal personal and nancial details. e message contains a link to a fake NHS website with an application form to register for the vaccine asking for various personal and bank details which are then used by criminals. Banks have issued tips to help stay safe and secure, as well as detailing ve of the most common scams seen during lockdown. Tips on how to become more fraud proof: • Even reputable sites such as Google, Facebook, Ebay and Instagram adverts may be fake. Try to shop online with websites you know and trust using MasterCard or VISA. If you see a deal online that looks too good to be true, check it out rst – what is their refund policy, do they have a landline to call if there is a problem, are there any negative reviews about them? If in doubt, don’t make the purchase. • If an online seller asks you to send money direct from your bank account to theirs, this is probably a scam. If they fail to deliver the goods you will lose your money. • Don’t give away your personal and bank details too easily. Criminals use online competitions or o ers of free shopping vouchers as a way of harvesting information BEWARE COVID-19 SCAMS think might be vulnerable. Current scams: • POSTAL DELIVERY SCAMS – criminals have been using fake DPD and Royal Mail emails to collect personal information which they then use to commit further fraud. • PURCHASE SCAMS – Criminals follow the trend and will o er goods for sale that are in high demand e.g., pets that don’t exist, games consoles, mobile phones and camper vans. Be wary of good deals advertised via auction sites or on social media. Follow the payment advice on the website, ideally pay by MasterCard or VISA and de nitely do not pay direct into someone’s bank account until you have taken delivery of the goods. • CORONAVIRUS VACCINATION SCAMS – A phone call, email or text message is sent in an attempt to steal personal and nancial details. e message contains a fake NHS website link with an application form to register for the vaccine asking for various personal and bank details to “con rm your address”. Criminals will then use this information to target your bank account. • CORONAVIRUS TAX REFUND – Criminals are bombarding inboxes with fake emails, texts and calls claiming entitlement to a support grant or tax rebate due to coronavirus. e aim is to get your personal details and sometimes even your payment card details, which they then use to steal your money. Report emails like this to: report@phishing.gov.uk Once criminals have your details, they will o en call you, pretending to be from the bank’s fraud team, trying to persuade you to move your money to a “safe account” or give away your card reader codes. • OFFERS TO MAKE QUICK MONEY – Criminals try to lure people into becoming money mules through “get rich quick” job o ers. If someone o ers you money to use your bank account refuse and alert the police. e personal consequences of allowing criminals to pay money through your account can be life-changing and you may not be able to open a bank account again. Hythe & Waterside Rotary President, Ray Lewis says: “During last year’s lockdown, criminals took advantage of more people working remotely and online. You are now more likely to be a victim of fraud in the UK than any other crime. We want to ensure we play our part in sharing this information with the local community. Hopefully, it will make people more fraud proof”. More information on how to avoid scams is available from: www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk; www.actionfraud. police.uk; www.natwest.com from their next victims. • Be sceptical of unsolicited phone calls, texts or emails asking for personal or bank details. Your bank or the police will never ask for a full PIN or password, card reader codes or ask you to move money from your account. • Do not recycle passwords and de nitely use a unique password for your bank accounts and your email account. • Pass this information on to your family and friends, especially anyone you