Identity Fraud Your identity is one of your most valuable assets. If your identity is stolen, you can lose money and may find it difficult to get loans, credit cards or a mortgage. Your name, address and date of birth provide enough information to create another ‘you’. An identity thief can use a number of methods to find out your personal information and will then use it to open bank accounts, take out credit cards and apply for state benefits in your name. This is often done by taking documents from your rubbish or by making contact with you and pretending to be from a legitimate organisation. There are a number of signs to look out for that may mean you are or may become a victim of identity theft: You have lost or have important documents stolen, such as your passport or driving licence. Mail from your bank or utility provider doesn’t arrive. Items that you don’t recognise appear on your bank or credit card statement. You apply for state benefits, but are told you are already claiming. You receive bills or receipts for goods or services you haven’t asked for. You are refused financial services, credit cards or a loan, despite having a good credit rating. You receive letters in your name from solicitors or debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours. How do I reduce the risk of identity theft? Store any documents carrying personal information – such as your driving licence, passport, bank statements, utility bills or credit card transaction receipts – in a safe and secure place. Shred or destroy your old documents so that nothing showing your name, address or other personal details can be taken. Monitor your credit report and check your credit card and bank statements for suspicious activity. When you move house, contact your bank, credit and store card providers, mobile phone provider, utility providers, TV licensing, your doctor and dentist etc. and give them your new address and redirect your mail by contacting Royal Mail. The less you give away about yourself, the lower the risk of information falling into the wrong hands. Think when buying online – use a secure website displaying the company’s contact details, look for a golden padlock symbol and a clear privacy and returns policy and the web address begins with http. Never give personal or account details to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Be suspicious even if they claim to be from your bank or the police. Don't use the same password for more than one account and never use banking passwords for any other websites. Using different passwords increases security and makes it less likely that someone could access any other accounts What can I do if I'm a victim of identity theft? If you think you are a victim of identity theft or fraud, act quickly to ensure you are not liable for any financial losses.
Welcome
Welcome to the Partnership Update for Lichfield District, produced by Lichfield District Council on behalf of Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership.
In this issue we look at Identity Fraud, ‘Let’s Get Involved’ project, the new ASB Victims Champion, Lichfield BID, a new telephone scam and an update on the meeting to discuss activities for young people. If you would like to contribute to the next issue of Partnership Update, due out in the Summer, please contact Lucie Ferneyhough, Community Safety Officer on 01543 308777 or lucie.ferneyhough@lichfielddc.gov.uk
Lichfield BID Morag Pringle started as the new Lichfield Business Improvement District (BID) City Centre Manager in November 2015. “As City Centre Manager I feel it is a very important part of my role to ensure the city is a safe place for all of its visitors and staff working here. One of the BIDs five main themes within its business plan is "A Safer City day and night, keeping crime off our streets" Since the BID has been in operation, it has organised street entertainers during the Christmas period and City Guardians on New Year’s Eve to marshal the taxi rank and to ensure visitors got home safely. This year the main projects for the BID will be:
Report all lost or stolen documents, such as passports, driving licences, credit cards and cheque books to the organisation that issued them. Inform your bank, building society and credit card company of any unusual transactions Request a copy of your credit file to check for any suspicious credit applications. Report the theft of personal documents and suspicious credit applications to the police and ask for a crime reference number. For more information visit Action Fraud’s website http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or 0300 123 2040
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Spring 2016
Install free WiFi and footfall measuring into the City Centre Develop a City wide marketing strategy and campaign Support the key festivals in Lichfield (Food Festival, Christmas etc.) Develop new parking initiatives to encourage an increase in footfall within the city. Upgrade StoreNet radios – This allows businesses across the city to communicate with each other, police and the CCTV control room, should there be an incident of crime or anti-social behaviour at or around their premises. It is a fast and effective means to communicate with multiple people around the city, in order to prevent repeat offences or to stop situations from escalating. Free membership to the Business Exclusion Scheme which is an initiative run in partnership with the police that allows businesses to sign into the scheme to report problem individuals which can lead to persons being given a period of exclusion from premises in the City. It also gives members access to shared intelligence and information locally, countywide, regionally and nationally. Introduce new City Guardians during busy periods as a visible presence on the streets during busy evenings, at events etc. to ensure visitors feel safe and secure within the city.
Morag will attend the Joint Operations Group and through the Townsafe Project has regular contact with the police. She will also be issuing a newsletter and regular e-mails with information on activities and projects taking place in the City. If you would like to be kept informed by e-mail please send Morag your contact details (morag@lichfieldbid.co.uk) or you can visit the BID website (lichfieldbid.co.uk), twitter: @LichfieldBID, 01543 441806 or 07983 596055.
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Telephone Scam POLICE are asking people in Lichfield and Burntwood to be vigilant following reports that residents have received calls from a bogus police officer. In February a Lichfield pensioner was subjected to obscene abuse after he refused to fall for a telephone 'courier scam'. During the calls, residents are told that a debit/credit card has been used in London and they are investigating. Residents are then invited to call 161 to verify the caller is from the police. This is a scam designed to obtain banking details and/or personal information and access to bank accounts.
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Debra Castledine works for Victim Support and started as the new ASB Victims Champion for the Lichfield District at the end of January. She also covers Tamworth and works 20 hours per week for each area. Debra’s role is to provide emotional and practical support to vulnerable victims of ASB and those most in need. She works completely independently of the police, local authorities, housing or any other government agency. It is an impartial, confidential service and Debra has undergone professional training with Victim Support.
If you receive a call you’re not expecting, you should be suspicious. The vital things to remember are that your bank and the police would: •
New ASB Victims Champion
NEVER ask for your bank account details or PIN number over the phone, so do not disclose these to anyone, no matter who they claim to be. NEVER ask you to withdraw money and send it to them via a courier, taxi or by any other means. NEVER ask you to send your bank cards, or any other personal property, to them via courier, taxi or by any other means.
If you are not happy with a phone call and are suspicious of the conversation you have with the caller then please end the call and contact police via the non-emergency number, 101. Remember to wait at least five minutes before calling police or use a mobile or neighbour’s phone. Please share this advice with friends or relatives, especially those who live in Lichfield or Burntwood area. For more information on SCAMS and how to avoid them contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit the website www.actionfraud.police.uk/.
For more information about the service or if you would like to refer an individual to the service please contact Debra on 07960 204366 or debra.castledine@victimsupport.org.uk.
Young People’s Activities Following on from the workshop held in November to discuss local activities and services for young people it was decided by the organisations involved that we would hold a further meeting to discuss the outcome. This meeting was held in January and was very well attended with representatives from the police, SCVYS, Support Staffordshire, Lichfield District Council, T3, Entrust, Fun Club, Positive Futures, high schools etc. There was a great deal of discussion around how, as a partnership we can promote the activities and services that are already taking place in the district and Sara Pritchard, who runs the website FYI Families talked to the group about what they can offer. The FYI Families website, brochure and App offers information for young people (aged 0 – 19) and families about events and activities in the district, as well as a section on advice and support including topics such as internet safety. The group also discussed the Staffordshire Market Place and Youth Box as possible options for advertising information and it was agreed that we would look in to all of these options further and discuss them at the next meeting. There is also a gap in knowledge of what activities / groups etc. are taking place, particularly in rural areas and there is a need to make contact with these groups to offer them the opportunity to promote their group on whichever website is utilised. It was agreed that we would look at ways of utilising mailing lists already available to promote the use of a website to groups.
Let’s Get Involved Tracey Hackett is an outreach worker at South East Staffordshire Citizens Advice Bureau and she, along with two volunteers is working on a new project, ‘Let’s Get Involved’. The project aims to tackle the issue of residents having a high fear of crime in areas with low crime rates . They will raise awareness of community safety and involve communities in identifying and addressing issues relevant to their area.
Detached Youth Workers were highlighted as a resource that is missed, particularly as a link with schools and other agencies. It was also suggested that there needs to be more work with schools to find out if there is anything they feel is missing or if there is a particular need and it was agreed that the group would speak to schools about building these links.
Three events will be held in north Lichfield, Chasetown and Burntwood. The first of which is to be held at Curborough Community Centre in north Lichfield on Sunday 15th May from 12pm – 4pm. Local partners (including the Police and Fire Service) will be attending and residents will get involved in identifying areas of concern that need addressing.
Following on from these events an Action Group will be formed in each target area led by Tracey Hackett, the Community Safety Champion and involving residents, local businesses and PCSO’s. The expected outcomes of the project are: residents are better informed and involved regarding crime and ASB; an increased feeling of safety and wellbeing for residents; voluntary, statutory and private organisations working together to improve quality of life in targeted communities and a reduction in the numbers of reported crime and ASB. For more information about the project please contact Tracey Hackett on 01543 684656 or tracey_hackett@yahoo.co.uk
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Sustainable funding was raised as a concern for many organisations (both voluntary and public sector) because it makes maintaining long-term projects very difficult. As the public and voluntary sector are having to deal with ever increasing cuts it was thought that local businesses could be a source of funding and is something that should be investigated. However the Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership has contributed to a number of young people’s activities including the Lichfield and Burntwood ‘Fun Club’, Positive Futures and the proposed new Parkour Park at Burntwood. The meeting raised a number of issues to consider but it was agreed it is a group that needs to continue so as a partnership we can work together to fill the gap that has been left by the youth service as well as promoting groups, activities and services that are taking place across the district. If you are interested in being part of the group or have any questions about the issues raised please contact Lucie Ferneyhough on 01543 308777 or lucie.ferneyhough@lichfielddc.gov.uk.
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