Tuesday, 15 November 2016

@WAR - Recent NW Information

 Alerts

Alert: You've Been Summoned!

Fraudsters are sending out a wave of scam emails purporting to be from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that claim you have to appear in court.

Alert: Marlboro ‘Ten Free Cigarette Carton Giveaway’ Facebook Scam

Post being shared on Facebook claims that you can click to get 10 free cartons of Marlboro brand cigarettes. The post claims that the giveaway is to celebrate Marlboro’s 110th anniversary. The message is a scam designed to trick you into spamming your friends and divulging your personal information via dodgy survey websites. It has no connection to Marlboro and no cigarettes are being given away.

Alert: Consumers warned of dangerous counterfeit goods sold via social media

CONSUMERS have been warned about the growing threat of dangerous counterfeit goods sold via social media platforms and other online portals. National Trading Standards (NTS) said fraudsters’ clever use of digital technologies was behind a number of emerging threats to consumers, such as selling fake items through social media where it is easier to conceal identities and disguise contact details. NTS also said it increasingly saw criminals disguising themselves as well-known brands before luring users to their external sites with low prices, in its overview of the key threats and activity its teams have dealt with over the past year.

Alert: Update Google Chrome to boost security: Alert Priority High

Google has released new versions of its Chrome browser for Windows, Mac and Linux to address security vulnerabilities. You are advised to review the Chrome releases update page and update to Chrome 54.0.2840.99 for Windows, 54.0.2840.98 for Mac, and 54.0.2840.100 for Linux. These updates include four security fixes. Updates address vulnerabilities in computer systems that remote attackers can otherwise use to gain access to systems or information (such as online banking details).

Alert: Gerry & Lisa Cannings “Charity Donations” Advance Fee Scam

Email claims that UK lottery winners Gerry & Lisa Cannings have decided to give £250,000 each to five people selected via an email database and your email address has emerged as one of the winning selections. Gerry & Lisa Cannings really did win £32 million in a February 2016 UK Lotto jackpot. However, they are certainly not giving away large sums of money to total strangers via the Internet. And, they did not send this email. In fact, the email is an advance fee scam designed to trick you into sending your money and personal information to criminals.

Alert: Fake Airline “Travel Itinerary” Emails Lead To Locky Ransomware

Emails purporting to be from various well-known airlines claim that you can view the travel itinerary for a supposed flight booking you made by opening an attached .zip file. The emails are not from real airlines and the attachments do not contain a travel itinerary. Instead, the attachments contain a malicious file that, if opened, can download and install Locky ransomware.

Alert: PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) Premium Rate Scam Warning

The warning was more or less true over a decade ago, but the scam was shut down in late 2005. The scam is not reoccurring in 2016. And, even when the scam was operating, victims were not instantly charged £315 as claimed. Reposting this hopelessly outdated and misleading warning will not help anybody.

Alert

A consumer reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to represent the Telephone Preference Service. The caller asked the consumer to confirm their details, (the caller knew the name and address of the consumer) and then asked the consumer for the visa card details that were used when the consumer registered with the TPS.

Alert: Beware of bogus Telephone Preference Service callers

A consumer reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to represent the Telephone Preference Service. The caller asked the consumer to confirm their details, (the caller knew the name and address of the consumer) and then asked the consumer for the visa card details that were used when the consumer registered with the TPS.

Alert: Bogus NHS cold callers selling mobility products warning!

Older residents are warned to beware of high pressure cold calls from companies selling mobility equipment and furniture. The cold callers falsely claim they are carrying out a survey on behalf of the NHS before trying to organise visits to the consumer's home on the pretence of delivering a 'free gift' and measuring up for new products.

News

‘No Harm Done?’ Think Again! – 4 Reasons Why Participating In Bogus Facebook Giveaways is NOT Harmless

Facebook is awash with bogus competition pages. You know, the ones that promise amazing prizes such as store vouchers, holidays, luxury vehicles, ocean cruises, free air travel, and even houses in exchange for liking, sharing, commenting, and filling in surveys. And, despite many warnings about such scams, very large numbers of Facebook users still fall for them every day.

Festive Fire Warning! Free Safety Tests for Christmas Lights - Book Now!

Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service have launched a Christmas Fire Safety campaign to promote festive fire safety and reduce the number of fires caused by faults with Christmas tree lights.

Warwickshire County Council supports National Alcohol Awareness Week 2016

In support of National Alcohol Awareness Week 2016, Warwickshire County Council reminds residents of the harmful effects of alcohol. The theme of the national campaign focuses on alcohol and health, and knowing the risks associated with alcohol.

Half of consumers have fallen victim to cyber crime

Nearly half of consumers have been victims of cybercrime, with one in six losing money to online fraud, according to a report. A survey by MarkMonitor found that 45 per cent of consumers have been hit by some form of cybercrime, with 65 per cent choosing not to report it to the authorities.

To read more on any of these stories please google the heading or a pertinent section of the text.

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