Here you will find updates from the Police and other crime information for the Napton area.

Click on the month for Southam SNT Police News for:  May  June   July  August,   September,

National Neighourhood Watch Newsletters:  April,  July,

Useful local crime news and updates will appear here.

October Police SNT Newsletter is here to download

September Police SNT Newsletter is here to download

Recent Incidents in Stockton & Napton

Please be aware of the following incidents, which have occurred at homes in your area over recent days:
Incident 46 of 2 September – At some point before 2am on 2 September, offenders broke into a van parked at The Crown Inn, High Street, Stockton and removed a lawn mower, which was then left in the street.

Incident 338 of 4 September – Between 3.30 and 4.30pm on 3 September, offenders broke into a Ford van parked at The Kings Head, Napton by smashing a passenger side window. The offenders carried out a search of the glove box before making off with a set of vehicle keys and a wallet and its contents.

Incident 172 of 5 September – At 12noon on 4 September, a witness in Vicarage Road, Napton saw two male offenders breaking into a van parked on the driveway of a neighbouring home. The offenders quickly made off, once spotted, in a white Vauxhall Vivaro van. Nothing was stolen.

Read more

Attempted break in to vehicle in Cyrils Corner, Napton

Please be aware that at some point before 8.20pm on 17 August, offenders attempted to break into a secure van parked outside a home in Cyrils Corner, Napton.  The offenders managed to cause damage to the drivers door but failed to get into the vehicle and nothing was stolen.

Read more

Here is a link to the National OurWatch July Newsletter

Here is a link to the Southam SNT July Newsletter

Click here for the Napton NHW’s contribution to the August Parish Magazine

Click here for the Napton NHW’s contributions to the July Parish Magazine

And here is a link to the Southam SNT June Newsletter

Here you can find the latest crime information:

Go here for the March Newsletter from the Southam SNT

Go here for the February Newsletter from the Warwickshire Police & Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe

March 2018 Parish Magazine NHW News is here

With courtesy of CSW Broadband newsletter:-

Hoax Slayer

Hoax Slayer is a great resource to find out about the latest online scams, or to check if an email that you have received is genuine. We hear so much these days about various phishing emails (an email that pretends to come from a trusted source and seeks to gather your personal data and passwords); scams and online frauds that it can be difficult to know what’s true and what isn’t. Hoax Slayer is a great FREE resource that explodes the latest myths, and provides a search facility so that you can paste in text to see if your email is real or not.

 

It’s worth a read just to see how blatant some of these scams are – it does make you wonder how people can fall for some of them! However, not everybody is Internet savvy, and even those of us who think we’ve got it nailed can get caught out sometimes. For more information, visit http://www.hoax-slayer.net

You can view the Napton crime map by clicking here

Click here for the January newsletter from our Police Commissioner

Click here for the December issue of the Southam SNT Newsletter

Incident 182 of 26 January – During the night of 25 into 26 January, offenders broke into a shed in a field at a premises in Vicarage Road, Napton after levering off the lock latch.  Once inside, the offenders carried out a tidy search before making off with a steel brush cutter.

Incident 352 of 28 January – At some point on 22 January, offenders forced the lock off a shed at a home in Butt Hill, Napton and stole a Ryobi hedge trimmer and a Titan pole saw.

Incident 81 of 29 January – At around midnight 27/27 January, the resident of a home in High Street, Napton heard a crashing noise and went to investigate.  The resident discovered that a front window was wide open and smashed.  The offenders made off and are not thought to have entered the property.

Incident 345 of 29 January – At some point before 5pm on 29 January, offenders broke into a storage container in the rear garden of a home in Tomlow Road, Stockton and carried out a search.  Nothing was stolen.

Please see information below and attached poster from our Cyber Crime Team which I would be grateful if you could disseminate to any contacts who you feel would benefit from this online training.

Please contact Alex Gloster on 01926 412261 ext: 2261 alexgloster@warwickshire.gov.uk

Beware of phishing Email using police branding – this bogus Email says that you are being summoned to court as a witness, and asks you to follow a link which could then lead to a virus or malware being placed on your computer. It uses a ‘police.uk’ heading and suggests it is from the CPS online portal, but it is clearly not official and represents a risk to security. If you receive this email, do not click on any links – delete it immediately.

Car key burglary at business premises in Stockton Road, Stockton

Please be aware that between 2 and 5.30pm on 15 January, offenders stole a white Mazda vehicle from the carpark of a business premises in Stockton Road, Stockton.

The offenders had entered a building at the site and stole the keys to the vehicle.

 

Read more

Incidents at premises in Stockton and Napton

Please be aware of the following incidents, which have occurred at premises in your area over recent days:

Incident 134 of 8 January – Between 5 and 8 January, offenders smashed a rear window at a home in Ladbroke and entered the premises,  Once inside, the offenders carried out a tidy search of the kitchen and the lounge before making off with several items.

Incident 182 of 8 January – Between 12.20 and 1.20pm on 8 January, offenders broke into a home in Priors Hardwick by smashing the rear French doors with a brick.  Once inside, the offenders carried out a search before making off with several items.

Read more

Incident 31 of 20 November – During the night of 19 into 20 November, offenders broke into a cottage home in Cox’s Lane, Napton, through a front window.  Once inside, the offenders stole a handbag containing keys to a vehicle.  The offenders use the keys to steal the vehicle from outside.

Incident 141 of 19 November – During the night of 18 into 19 November, offenders stole a motorbike from outside a home in Elm Row, Napton.  The owner of the bike still has the keys.

Incident 128 of 21 November – During the night of 20 into 21 November, offenders broke into a vehicle parked outside a home in The Poplars, Napton and stole a set of keys.

 

Read more

Incidents at premises in Long Itchington

Please be aware of the following incidents, which have occurred at premises in Long Itchington,over recent days:

Incident 37 of 20 November – During the night of 19 into 20 November, offenders broke into a home in Odingsell Drive, Long Itchington, through a ground floor toilet window.  Once inside the house, the offenders stole the keys to two VW vehicles and then used them to drive the vehicles away.

Incident 200 of 20 November – At just before midnight on 20 November, offenders attempted to break into a home in Dale Close, Long Itchington through the front door.  The offenders failed to get inside the house and nothing was stolen.

Incident 131 of 19 November – During the night of 18 into 19 November, offenders stole a vehicle from a home in Leigh Crescent, Long Itchington.  Police stopped the vehicle in Coventry and the offender was arrested.

Incident 109 of 20 November – During the night of 19 into 20 November, offenders broke into a van parked in Short Lane, Long Itchington by forcing open the side door.  Once inside the van, the offenders stole a large quantity of hand and power tools.

Read more

Warwickshire Police need your help with information about suspicious activity

Warwickshire Police currently have two countywide operations in progress.  These operations are focussing on reducing the number of incidents of vehicle crime and house burglaries across Warwickshire.

In order to get the very best out of these operations, we need the help and support of local communities with information and intelligence.

If you think something in your area is suspicious, it probably is.  You will know your area and its usual activity, comings/ goings and if you think something is odd, out of place and suspicious, we need to hear from you.

Before every incident, there is usually some suspicious activity and we need calls to make us aware of this.  Please could we encourage you to call 101 if you notice suspicious persons, vehicles or activity around their own or neighbouring homes.

If you believe that a crime is in progress, please dial 999.

Finally, to ensure that this message reaches as many people as possible, please could we ask you to share this message as widely as you can.  Thank you.

 

Read more

Incidents at homes in Banbury Road, Ploughmans Holt & Craven Lane, Southam

Please be aware of the following incidents, which have occurred at homes in Southam over recent days:

Incident 111 of 8 November – During the night of 7 into 8 November, offenders stole an Audi vehicle from outside a home in Banbury Road, Southam.  The keys to the vehicle are still with the owner.

Incident 116 of 8 November – During the same night, offenders forced open the front door of a Ford Transit van parked outside a home in Ploughmans Holt, Southam and stole a large amount of power tools. Ditto in Deppers Bridge

Incident 194 of 8 November – At some point before 1.15pm on 8 November, offenders caused damage to a Peugeot vehicle parked outside a home in Craven Lane, Southam 

Read more

Burglary at home in Church Road, Long Itchington

Please be aware that between 11.30am and 4.45pm on 1 November, offenders entered the rear garden of a home in Church Road, Long Itchington and then smashed a rear window of t he house with a brick.

The offenders entered the house but nothing appears to have been stolen.

The offenders also attached the garden shed and took out a spade but again, nothing seems to be missing.

Read more

Theft of motorbike from home in Ladbroke, Leamington

Please be aware that between 3 and 3.30am on 23 October, offenders stole a green Kawasaki motorcross bike from a garage at a cottage home in Ladbroke, Leamington.

The offenders smashed the lock off the garage to get inside.

Read more

Burglaries at homes in Southam & Bishops Itchington

Please  be aware of the following incidents, which have occurred at homes in your area over recent days:

Incident 159 of 4 October – At some point in the three weeks before 4 October, offenders broke into a home on Southam By-Pass, Southam after smashing through the front doors.  Once inside, the offenders carried out a very messy search but it is not clear if anything was stolen.

Incident 88 of 6 October – At 1.30pm on 6 October, the resident of a home in Hartshorne Road, Bishops Itchington saw three males in the rear garden.  The males had jemmied open the rear door of the house, causing damage to the door frame.  Once they realised that they had been spotted, the offenders quickly made off, via the side of the house.  Nothing appears to have been stolen.

Read more

Warwickshire Trading Standards – Rogue Trader & Scam Alerts

Please read and share the following Warwickshire Trading Standards Scam and Rogue Trader Alerts:

Bogus Police phone call warning

Fraudsters are pretending to be Police Officers in order to steal bank account information, Warwickshire Trading Standards understands.

Members of the public have reported several incidents where they have received phone calls from people claiming to be Police Officers investigating a crime involving their bank cards. The callers then ask for bank card details, including long numbers, sort codes, the security number on the back and PINs.

The information is then used to scam them out of thousands of pounds.

No Police Force will ever ask you for bank details in this way.

NEVER divulge any bank/card information to people who phone you. If you believe the caller is genuine, ask to phone back on a publicly listed telephone number.

Unclaimed parcel scam

Warwickshire Trading Standards are warning residents to beware of emails that carry the words ‘Unclaimed Parcel’ or similar. These bogus emails, which typically are not addressed directly to the recipient, but instead use their email address, encourage the recipient to click on a link to ‘Activate’ their delivery.

There is also often a reference to the potential ‘value’ of the package, which is usually very high.

Clicking on links in bogus emails can expose your PC to viruses. NEVER click on a link or download an attachment in a suspicious email. Always DELETE them.

Solar panel owners warned of rogue trader ‘cleaning’ services

Owners of solar panels are warned to beware of rogue traders door knocking in the Warwickshire area offering to clean their roofs. The rogue traders give the false impression that they are working on behalf of the solar panel installers and suggest to the home owners that their roof is due a clean due to the length of time the solar panels have been installed.

The rogues are reported to be charging between £1300 and £1700 for work that is overpriced and is more likely to damage the roof (and the solar panels) than clean it. Homeowners are advised not to allow people to pressure wash their roofs. Pressure washing roofs can lead to the roof tiles lifting.

The rogue traders may also be involved in other forms of criminal activity and may be taking the opportunity to scope people’s homes for burglaries.

NEVER buy goods or services from an unexpected doorstep trader. Keep your door CLOSED.

Rogue traders masquerading as genuine businesses

Rogue doorstep traders are masquerading as genuine businesses both on the doorstep and online to get work warn Warwickshire Trading Standards. One Warwickshire resident thought they were employing a genuine landscaping business but when the workers turned up, they were clearly bogus, not using correct PPE (personal protective equipment) or possessing insurance.

If you are interested in employing a particular business to carry out work at your property, check their name, address and contact details against several sources (classified advertisements, Google searches etc.) to ensure you are contacting the correct business.

Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.

Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter

Sign up to scam alerts at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams

Avoid rogue traders. Use Warwickshire Trading Standards No Rogue Traders Here approved trader scheme

Crime, Police and Trading Standards news for March, April and May will appear here:

Burglary, HURST RD, SOUTHAM

BURGLARY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING took place between 14:00:00 on TUESDAY 06-JUN-2017 and 14:30:00 on TUESDAY 06-JUN-2017 at HURST RD, SOUTHAM.

Unknown offenders have gained entry into the property via a small conservatory window which has been left insecure. Tidy search completed within most rooms of the house. At this time there is an unknown quantity of jewellery missing along with a Mercedes A Class VRM BG**LNT. Keys to a further vehicle were also taken.

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Smishing – the term used for SMS phishing – is an activity which enables criminals to steal victims’ money or identity, or both, as a result of a response to a text message. Smishing uses your mobile phone (either a smartphone or traditional non-internet connected handset) to manipulate innocent people into taking various actions which can lead to being defrauded.   The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has received information that fraudsters are targeting victims via text message, purporting to be from their credit card provider, stating a transaction has been approved on their credit card.   The text message further states to confirm if the transaction is genuine by replying ‘Y’ for Yes or ‘N’ for No.   Through this method the fraudster would receive confirmation of the victim’s active telephone number and would be able to engage further by asking for the victim’s credit card details, CVV number (the three digits on the back of your bank card) and/or other personal information.   Protect yourself:

• Always check the validity of the text message by contacting your credit card provider through the number provided at the back of the card or on the credit card/bank statement.
• Beware of cold calls purporting to be from banks and/or credit card providers.
• If the phone call from the bank seems suspicious, hang up the phone and wait for 10 minutes before calling the bank back. Again, refer to the number at the back of the card or on the bank statement in order to contact your bank.
• If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, please report it to Action Fraud at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or alternatively by calling 0300 123 2040

Advice from Police in these troubled times:

Acts of terrorism and hate crimes are committed by a small minority of people and are not representative of the public. This is a time for us all to work closely together and unite against those who seek, through violence and extremism, to intimidate or cause fear.

“Therefore we need your help; please remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency always call 999.

“There is also easy-to-remember national guidance of ‘Run, Hide, Tell’ – run to a place of safety, hide in a secure place, when it’s safe to do so, tell police by calling 999.”

For further information about reporting suspicious behaviour visit https://act.campaign.gov.uk/

 

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Following the ransomware cyber attack on Friday 12 May which affected the NHS and is believed to have affected other organisations globally, the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has issued an alert urging both individuals and businesses to follow protection advice immediately and in the coming days.   Ransomware is a form of malicious software (Malware) that enables cyber criminals to remotely lock down files on your computer or mobile device. Criminals will use ransomware to extort money from you (a ransom), before they restore access to your files. There are many ways that ransomware can infect your device, whether it be a link to a malicious website in an unsolicited email, or through a security vulnerability in a piece of software you use.   Key Protect messages for businesses to protect themselves from ransomware:

• Install system and application updates on all devices as soon as they become available.
• Install anti-virus software on all devices and keep it updated.
• Create regular backups of your important files to a device that isn’t left connected to your network as any malware infection could spread to that too.

The National Cyber Security Centre’s technical guidance includes specific software patches to use that will prevent uninfected computers on your network from becoming infected with the “WannaCry” Ransomware: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/ransomware-latest-ncsc-guidance   For additional in-depth technical guidance on how to protect your organisation from ransomware, details can be found here: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-your-organisation-ransomware   Key Protect advice for individuals:

• Install system and application updates on all devices as soon as they become available.
• Install anti-virus software on all devices and keep it updated.
• Create regular backups of your important files to a device (such as an external hard drive or memory stick) that isn’t left connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that too.
• Only install apps from official app stores, such as Google’s Play Store, or Apple’s App Store as they offer better levels of protection than some 3rd party  stores. Jailbreaking, rooting, or disabling any of the default security features of your device will make it more susceptible to malware infections.

Phishing/smishing Fraudsters may exploit this high profile incident and use it as part of phishing/smishing campaigns. We urge people to be cautious if they receive any unsolicited communications from the NHS. The protect advice for that is the following:

• An email address can be spoofed. Don’t open attachments or click on the links within any unsolicited emails you receive, and never respond to emails that ask for your personal or financial details.
• The sender’s name and number in a text message can be spoofed, so even if the message appears to be from an organisation you know of, you should still exercise caution, particularly if the texts are asking you to click on a link or call a number.

Don’t disclose your personal or financial details during a cold call, and remember that the police and banks will never ring you and ask you to verify your PIN, withdraw your cash, or transfer your money to another “safe” account.

15-05-2017 01:40 PM BST

Fraudsters are again phoning Warwickshire residents claiming to be from the Telephone Preference Service and asking for credit and debit card details to subscribe to the service or renew the service.

The Telephone Preference Service is a FREE service. The TPS will NEVER contact residents asking for any bank information.

• Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.
• Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter
• Sign up to scam alerts at warwickshire.gov.uk/scams
• Avoid rogue traders. Use Warwickshire Trading Standards No Rogue Traders Here approved trader scheme
• Please feel free to pass on or re-publish this email alert

15/05/2017 Bogus ‘BT caller’

15-05-2017 01:39 PM BST

A residents reported receiving an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be calling from BT to say that the resident had arrears on their landline. When the resident said they were a Virgin customer the caller then changed their tune and claimed to be calling from Virgin!

Doubtless the fraudster was hoping to get the resident to pay their non-existent arrears to them by taking a debit or credit card payment down the phone!

• Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.
• Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter
• Sign up to scam alerts at warwickshire.gov.uk/scams
• Avoid rogue traders. Use Warwickshire Trading Standards No Rogue Traders Here approved trader scheme
• Please feel free to pass on or re-publish this email alert

15/05/2017 Bogus Severn Trent caller

15-05-2017 01:39 PM BST

Residents are warned to beware of unexpected calls from fraudsters claiming to be calling from Severn Trent. A Warwickshire householder received such a call but sensibly put the phone down. They later contacted Severn Trent who confirmed that the call was bogus.

• Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.
• Warwickshire Trading Standards Website Facebook Twitter
• Sign up to scam alerts at warwickshire.gov.uk/scams
• Avoid rogue traders. Use Warwickshire Trading Standards No Rogue Traders Here approved trader scheme
• Please feel free to pass on or re-publish this email alert

15/05/2017 American bogus HMRC caller

15-05-2017 01:38 PM BST

A Warwickshire resident reported receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from HMRC to say that they were taking a ‘lawsuit’ against him. The resident quickly spotted that it was a scam call and described the caller as having an American accent.

A second resident received a similar phone call, this time an automated one. The automated ‘HMRC’ message told the resident that they should phone a number before legal action was taken against them. The resident phoned the number and spoke to some who claimed that a warrant had been issued for their arrest for non-payment of taxes!

These bogus phone calls are known to HMRC which has issued some additional advice

Make a scam/rogue trader complaint to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506

Burglary at home in Abbey Lane, Southam

Please be aware that between 3.30 and 4pm on 6 May, a male approached the resident of a home in Abbey Lane, Southam as she was in her garden and insisted that she turn the taps on in her kitchen and the toilet due to high pressure.

Whilst the resident complied and was occupied, two other offenders entered the house and went upstairs to search through drawers and cupboards, stealing items of jewellery.

All three offenders then left the house and the resident saw them walk off.

Read more

Incidents at homes in Collingham Lane & Leather Street, Long Itchington

Please be aware of the following incidents, which have occurred at homes in Long Itchington over recent days:

Incident 273 of 8 May – Between 12noon on 6 and 5.20pm on 8 May, offenders forced open a wooden framed side access door at a home in Collingham Lane, Long Itchington and entered the premises.

Once inside, offenders carried out an untidy search of drawers and cupboards throughout the house before making off with items of jewellery.

Incident 243 of 8 May – Between 11.45am and 12.10pm on 8 May, offenders entered the rear garden of a home in Leather Street, Long Itchington and forced open a rear bay window of the house.  The offenders were then disturbed and made off with an box containing an IPhone 6.

A witness saw 4 people dressed in dark clothing run past the front of the house, towards the main road.

Read more

Burglary at home in Church End, Priors Hardwick

Please be aware that between 9am and 8.30pm on 8 May, offenders entered the rear garden of a cottage home in Church End, Priors Hardwick and then smashed a small glass panel in a wooden framed door.

The offenders then reached through, unlocked the door with a key which had been left in the lock and entered the premises.  Once inside, the offenders carried out an untidy search of the cottage, throwing drawers and clothing on the floor before making off with 2 IPad tablets and items of jewellery.

Read more

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

There has been a series of recent incidents reported to Action Fraud where a lone fraudster has approached victims whom they believe to be unfamiliar with the local area. They make an excuse to talk to the victims such as enquiring about directions or offering a recommendation for a good hotel.   After this interaction, several other fraudsters will intervene purporting to be police officers in plain clothes and will sometimes present false identification as proof. The fake officers will then give a reason to examine the victims’ wallet, purse or personal items. They may also examine the first fraudster’s items or try to tell victims that the first fraudster is suspicious in order to gain victim trust and appear more realistic in their guise.   After all the fake police ‘checks’ are finished, victims have then reported being handed back their personal items only to later realise that a quantity of money or valuables were missing.   How to protect yourself:

• If an individual claims to be a police officer ask for their name and rank, force, and examine any identification presented; this is always good practice but especially important if they are not wearing a uniform.
• The Police will never ask for your passwords or PIN details. Do not give this information to anyone.
• The Police will never request that you withdraw/transfer any money to them or to a ‘safe’ account.
• If you have been affected by this, or any other fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Theft from porch of home in Horsewell, Southam
Please be aware that between the hours of 11:30 and 17:30 on Thursday 20th April, am offender entered the insecure porch of a home in Horsewell, Southam, and opened several birthday cards which had arrived in the post. A letter and a quantity of cash were stolen.

Read more

Wonga has confirmed a data breach where up to 250,000 accounts have been compromised. The incident is now being investigated by the police and has been reported to the Financial Conduct Authority.

Wonga has updated their website with further information and confirmed that they are contacting all those affected and are taking steps to protect them, but there are also some things you can do to keep your information secure.

Burglary at business premises in Warwick Street, Southam

Please be aware that during the night of 7 into 8 April, offenders tried to force open a single glazed door at a business premises in Warwick Street, Southam but were unsuccessful.

The offenders then threw bricks from a nearby wall through the bottom panel of the double glazed front door and entered the [premises.

Once inside, the offenders carried out a search of the premiseds before making off with 3 pairs of whal clippers, 11 pairs of scissors, hair products and a quantity of cash

Read more

Community information, Warwickshire

There has recently been a number of incidents where Volkswagen cars have been targeted by offenders, both stealing them directly and breaking into properties to steal the keys and then the vehicles.
If you are an owner of a Volkswagen vehicle please review your security arrangements. Wherever possible park it in a garage or where it cannot be seen from the road. If you do not already have it consider installing a tracker device and a good quality alarm system, independent of the vehicle. CCTV and good lighting is also something that can help.
Steering locks can also be an effective deterrent; keep the keys separate to the ignition keys.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously near your property or vehicle please call 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.

Read more

Scam update and click here to download the April CyberScam newsletter:

Fraudsters are sending out a high volume of phishing emails to personal and business email addresses, pretending to come from various email addresses, which have been compromised.   The subject line contains the recipient’s name, and the main body of text is as below:   “Hi, [name]!   I am disturbing you for a very serious reason. Although we are not familiar, but I have significant amount of individual info concerning you. The thing is that, most likely mistakenly, the data of your account has been emailed to me.   For instance, your address is:   [real home address]   I am a law-abiding citizen, so I decided to personal data may have been hacked. I attached the file – [surname].dot that I received, that you could explore what info has become obtainable for scammers. File password is – 2811   Best Wishes,”   The emails include an attachment – a ‘.dot’ file usually titled with the recipient’s name.

 

This attachment is thought to contain the Banking Trojan Ursniff/Gozi, hidden within an image in the document. The Ursniff Banking Trojan attempts to obtain sensitive data from victims, such as banking credentials and passwords. The data is subsequently used by criminals for monetary gain. Protect Yourself:

Having up-to-date virus protection is essential; however it will not always prevent your device(s) from becoming infected.   Please consider the following actions: Don’t click on links or open any attachments you receive in unsolicited emails or SMS messages: Remember that fraudsters can ‘spoof’ an email address to make it look like one used by someone you trust. If you are unsure, check the email header to identify the true source of communication (you can find out how by searching the internet for relevant advice for your email provider). Do not enable macros in downloads; enabling macros will allow Trojan/malware to be installed onto your device. Always install software updates as soon as they become available. Whether you are updating the operating system or an application, the update will often include fixes for critical security vulnerabilities. Create regular backups of your important files to an external hard drive, memory stick or online storage provider. It is important that the device you back up to is not connected to your computer as any malware infection could spread to that as well. If you think your bank details have been compromised, you should contact your bank immediately.

Click here to download the March OurWatch newsletter

Burglary at home in Sabin Close, Long Itchington

Please be aware that between 12.30 and 4.45pm on 27 March, offenders entered the rear garden of a home in Sabin Close, Long Itchington and then removed the rear double glazed door.

Once inside the house, the offenders carried out a search of the whole house and entered the garage to interfere with a car which was parked inside.  The offenders made off with items of jewellery and the keys to a large caravan.

Read more

Burglaries at homes in Grange Farm Drive & Tuckwell Close, Stockton

Please be aware of the following incidents, which have occurred at homes in Stockton over recent days:

Incident 385 of 27 March – Between 2.30 and 5pm on 27 March, 3 male offenders, wearing balaclavas, attempted to force their way into a home in Grange Farm Drive, Stockton.  The offenders failed to get inside the house but damage was caused to the wooden door frame and lock.

The offenders were then disturbed and are believed to have made off in a silver Ford Focus vehicle with a partial registration of possibly CU70 M*K.

Incident 366 of 27 March – Between 11am and 6.20pm on 27 March, offenders forced open a rear ground floor window at a home in Tuckwell Close, Stockton and entered the house.  Once inside, the offenders carried out an untidy search of the whole house before making off with numerous items.

Read more

Burglary at home in Napton, Southam

Please be aware that 9.45 and 10.10pm on 17 March, offenders entered a new home building site in Napton and then forced the locks off a metal shipping container.

The offenders stole several items from inside the container before being chased off by a nearby resident.

The offenders left the scene in a cream/ white coloured Land Rover.

Read more

Warwickshire County Council have produced some top tips for avoiding cyber scams this spring. Check out the links below for ideas and sites to avoid

Cyber scams_pg1 Cyber scams_pg2