Warnings Over Scam

WARNING OVER SCAM TARGETING DRIVERS

The DVLA has issues a fresh warning over scams targeting drivers.

The body responsible for car tax and vehicle licensing has warned drivers to be on the lookout for new phishing scams this new year.

Phishing scams dupe innocent victims into handing over personal details such as bank information, often by sending messages claiming to be from a legitimate company or organisation.

The DVLA has recently released images of the type of scam messages purporting to be from it and trying to fool drivers into handing over personal data or making payments to the fraudsters.

Criminals use email and text messages to pose as the DVLA and divert victims to fraudulent websites to enter their personal and bank details. The messages usually claim either that a driver has overpaid their car tax and is due a refund or that there has been a problem with a tax payment and they need to log into the fake website to update their information.

The DVLA has also reported seeing scam messages that claim there is a problem with their licence information. Handing over data like this can help criminals committing identity fraud.

Last year there was a massive rise in the number of drivers reporting suspected fraud to the DVLA. In the three months to September 2020, the agency saw a 603 per cent increase in reported cases compared with the same period a year earlier. Phil Morgan, head of fraud policy investigation at DVLA, said: “These recent scams may at first seem legitimate, however they are designed to trick motorists into providing their personal details. We never ask for bank or credit card details via text message or email, so if you receive something like this, it’s a scam.”

What to do if you’ve been targeted by a phishing scam

Anyone who has received a suspicious email is being urged to report to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) via their suspicious email service: report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious texts can also be forwarded free of charge to your network provider on 7726. You can also report it to Action Fraud or police if you think you have fallen victim to such a scam.

DVLA has issued 5 top tips for motorists to stay safe online:

• Never share driving licence images and vehicle documents online • Never share bank details or personal data online • Avoid websites offering to connect to

DVLA’s contact centre • Only use GOV.UK when looking for

DVLA contact details • Immediately report it to the police via

Action Fraud if you think you have been the victim of a scam

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CITY AND PORT OF BRISTOL BOWLING CLUB

The City and Port of Bristol Bowling Club is one of sixty clubs affiliated to the Gloucestershire Bowls Association. Divided into four sections, largely for administrative and competition purposes --- City and Port are in the Bristol Section, the other sections being Gloucester, Cheltenham and Stroud.

Individual competitions are run initially within sections before going across sections, then regional and ultimately national, with finals played at Leamington Spa.

Each season the county plays games against other counties. Individual players from affiliated clubs can put their name forward for selection and clubs can ask for a game to be played on their green.

In 2016 City and Port asked for a game and were given the honour of hosting one between Gloucestershire and Somerset. Competing for the Small Cup --- nothing to do with size ---- it took place on Monday 25th July --- a six rink game in glorious sunshine.

Games played at county level are full of ceremony and formality. Before play commenced the host President David Hinksman handed the green over to the home President Roy Walker --- it was his for the duration of the game. At the end of the game it was handed back with rather less ceremony.

This was the 60th time that the Small Cup had been played for ---- the first time was at Henleaze in 1957.

A very good afternoons bowling ended in victory for Somerset 129 109 to bring them within two wins of Gloucestershire in terms of games played over the years.

When the last wood had come to rest it was time to head for the ballroom and the bar ---- bowling is thirsty work on a hot afternoon. were thanked by the respective Presidents --- Roy Walker and Lionel Slatter in speeches which are traditional at the end of County Games.

Afternoons such as this come along very rarely. It was great to see so many bowlers on the green --- all six rinks being played on and there was some very good and competitive bowling to be seen in the course of 21 ends play.

Bowling is a unique sport --- anyone can play it and it can be played in so many ways. The county game was a good example of serious competitive bowling. Contrast that with the Fancy Dress, fun afternoon that took place in September 2014. Somewhere in the middle is the club mixed friendly that is seen at week –ends and on Wednesday afternoons throughout the normal season. Friendly games are purely for pleasure but --- both sides want to win so there is always a small element of competition.

If you would like to know more about bowling, the club or how to become a part of it please call David Hinksman on 0117 9082713. Why not do something different in 2021?

The City and Port Club offers free trial sessions, free coaching for members, a free club shirt for all full membership fee new members and there is no joining fee --- just annual subscription --- it’s no longer necessary to be a member of the main social club --- just the Bowling Club fee. This is probably the least expensive club to join in the area so --- why not give it a try?