Local News From the Seaford Newhaven and Peacehaven area
Following a year of travel bans, quarantine, uncertainty and missed holidays, many of us are desperate to get away for a break, whether it’s a holiday in the sun or a weekend by the sea in the UK. You may be taking the plunge and booking right now, or waiting […]
Businesses across the county are being warned to be on their guard against scammers after fake Government letters were delivered in Eastbourne and Hailsham. The hand-delivered letters, claiming to be from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, falsely claim that all businesses must, by law, have Covid-safe air […]
Find out about useful information and resources to help keep your family, friends and yourself safe from scams. More than ever before, we have been relying on technology to enable us to work, learn and connect with each other. Inevitably, criminals have exploited and used our increased digital lives to […]
Over 15,000 hacked email and social media accounts reported in one year. If a hacker got into your email or social media account, what would they find? Health and banking information? Names and contact details for your friends and family? Private photos and messages? For most people, it’s at least […]
As if we haven’t all had enough to deal with and worry about since the outset of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the situation has unfortunately been exploited by fraudsters with fake offers of vaccinations. At times of disasters and other crises, there is invariably an increase in fraudulent activity, for […]
Residents are receiving scam alerts so please be careful. Cyber criminals are using the roll out of the NHS Covid-19 vaccine to target victims with convincing looking text messages. The texts appear to be from the NHS and state the recipient has the opportunity to sign up for the vaccine. The […]
Action Fraud are warning the public to be vigilant of unsolicited emails promoting cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) investment opportunities. They’ve received over 750 reports this week about Bitcoin-related phishing emails that use fake celebrity endorsements to try and lure victims into investment scams. The links in the emails lead to fraudulent websites that are […]
A ROGUE trader jailed for conning a pensioner out of more than £26,000 has been sent back to prison after paying less than 10 per cent of the court-ordered compensation. Patrick Charles Lemmon, 59, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on January 18, having paid just £2,200 towards the £26,950 confiscation […]
As of 7 January 2021, Action Fraud had received 57 reports from members of the public who have been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for coronavirus vaccinations. The texts ask the recipient to click on a link which takes […]
Action Fraud has seen a surge in reports relating to fake emails and texts purporting to be from DPD. The messages claim that DPD was “unable to deliver your parcel today” and provide instructions on how the recipient can arrange another delivery. The links in the emails and texts lead […]
We know that clicking links in E-mails may be unsafe. We are quoting some links below, but if you are reluctant to click on these then please feel free to search the web for Scamnesty, which should lead you to National Trading Standards website Friends Against Scams. This week, Friends Against […]
MORE than 700 Covid-related calls have been made to the county’s trading standards team since March, the latest figures show. On top of their usual work, and in a bid to keep people safe, the team from East Sussex have issued advice and guidance to a large number of businesses […]
Friends Against Scams’ focus for this week of #Scamnesty is clairvoyant scams. These are letters that claim you might have an upcoming positive change in your life or that you’re in trouble, but they can help. This is likely to be a scam. Send it to the Friends team for […]
More concerning scams but it is important that defences don’t slip when we may be distracted. Officers from Seaford Neighbourhood Policing Team have been out all this week sharing advice, following a significant increase in fraud/scams being reported from Seaford and Seahaven residents. Scam police and bank callers is the […]
We know that clicking links in E-mails may be unsafe. We are quoting some links below, but if you are reluctant to click on these then please feel free to search the web for Scamnesty, which should lead you to National Trading Standards website Friends Against Scams. For week one of […]
This is something that we seem to publish most weeks but it it still something that all too often we forget. Residents receive phone calls from people claiming to be from the police or their bank. The caller says they are investigating fraudulent activity on people’s accounts. They request people’s […]
Did you know scams cost the UK economy £5-£10 Billion a year, with over 50% of people over 65 having already been targeted by scams; and only 5% of all scams reported? This week’s scam and fraud warnings from Action Fraud: With more stores reopening, and online shopping slots becoming […]
Reports of online shopping fraud have surged by 30% over the pandemic as many of us continue to shop online in light of current restrictions. Figures from Action Fraud show that criminals conned 17,407 shoppers out of almost £13.5 million over the Christmas period last year, an increase of over 20% when compared to […]
£940,000 – THE AVERAGE AMOUNT PAID TO CYBER CRIMINALS BY UK ORGANISATIONS 64% OF UK ORGANISATIONS BELIEVE STATE-SPONSORED CYBERATTACKS ARE THE BIGGEST THREAT TO THEIR INDUSTRY IN 2021 A new report has highlighted the full extent of ransomware attacks on UK organisations. A new global cybersecurity survey from CrowdStrike found that UK […]
Social media companies and governments need to take a more active role in tackling fake news Techniques observed could be used to target corporates if not tackled Academics at University College London and other institutions have collaborated to develop a machine learning tool that identifies new domains created to promote […]
As we spend more time at home and on our online devices, over one third (34%) of people say that they’re more concerned about cybercrime than physical crime and a startling 1 in 5 people are a victim of cybercrime!* You could be more at risk than you might think. […]
Between January 2020 and September 2020, 21,349 crime reports were made to Action Fraud about fake PayPal emails. Victims reported losing a total of £7,891,077.44 during this time. Those targeted included people selling jewellery, furniture and electronics via online marketplaces. Reports of fake PayPal emails to Action Fraud made up a third of all […]
This year, Christmas will be a bit different. Whatever you’re doing, don’t give a fraudster a Christmas or Black Friday treat. How to shop online safely this Christmas and Black Friday As if 2020 hasn’t been an unusual enough year, many of us are now thinking about Christmas. With the […]
With more stores reopening, and online shopping slots becoming available, please take the time to refresh your online security, only trust known websites, and remember offers that sound too good to be true generally are. More support and advice here. NHS Track and Trace scams, if you’re contacted by the NHS […]
In an initiative between government and the independent charity Crimestoppers, a new hotline has been launched to help stop criminals profiting from the coronavirus crisis. More than 150 Covid support schemes have been introduced by the government to help those struggling financially, but a minority of individuals have been abusing […]
Get Online week takes place from 19 – 23 October. To help support this event, Staying Safe Online are offering FREE webinars that provide advice and tips on how to protect yourself and others online. These webinars are available on Monday 19th and Wednesday 21st October and can be booked via Eventbrite […]
Police are warning people to be wary of fraudulent emails purporting to be from HM Courts and Tribunals after receiving five reports of scams in Sussex. The emails state that the victims owe a £25 fixed penalty charge. They say that if the victim does not pay the fine they […]
British universities and colleges warned about spike in ransomware attacks by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ. · 40% of students do not consider the risk of a cyber-attack after sharing log in details · 57% admit using the same passwords for multiple accounts · Mum and dad […]
These days – pandemic or no pandemic – the vast majority of second-hand cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles are bought and sold online. It’s fast and convenient, and there’s so much choice at your fingertips. But online marketplaces are also very popular with fraudsters. Unfortunate buyers get tricked […]
The scam typically involves the victim being told they have been hacked or their computer has a virus. They’re advised they need to install software, pay money or hand over details to protect their device from further damage. A 60-year-old woman in Brighton was contacted by a man purporting to […]
Despite more than half (52%) worrying about banking apps being hacked if their phone is lost or stolen Millions of us are actually putting ourselves at risk by carrying out our online banking on smartphones and devices that are potentially vulnerable to a security breach. 47% of smartphone owners who […]
Sussex Police is issuing a warning about scam callers purporting to be from Amazon Prime, after a recent, sudden spike in reports. Since 1 July, the force has received 68 reports of this type of fraud resulting in losses of over £64,000. This crime typically involves a phone call from […]
he young people in our families generally have a better hands-on knowledge of technology than we do. However, this confidence can result in them taking more risks online that could adversely affect their finances, reputation or even their whole future, if they end up with a criminal record. If your […]
Almost 34% of all retail sales during May 2020 were carried out online, and new research suggests that only 16% of UK consumers intend to return to their old shopping habits post-lockdown. Online shopping fraud during lockdown Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, received over […]
Phishing attacks are regarded as the greatest cyber threat 15 July 2020: In a survey of UK cyber security, IT and business professionals, 86% of businesses expect cyber threats to increase over the next 12 months. The survey, commissioned by WatchGuard Technologies, also reveals that 44% of organisations have experienced a cyber attack over the last […]
You’re probably familiar with some of the ways in which fraudsters approach and attempt to lure in their victims, such as emails, texts, phone calls, letters and traditional doorstep scams. But did you know that social media is also a favourite place for scammers? With billions of people using social […]
As you may already know the National Trading Standards Scams Team received government funding to supply and installcall blocking technology in consumers’ homes.The project re-launched at the beginning of March and received hundreds of applications. Due to Covid-19 they had to make the very difficult decision to close applications as […]
Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to try and get their hands on your money and personal information. To date, Action Fraud has received reports from 2,378 victims of Coronavirus-related scams, with the total losses reaching over £7 million. How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams: There are some simple […]
With more stores reopening, and online shopping slots becoming available, please take the time to refresh your online security, only trust known websites, and remember offers that sound too good to be true generally are. More support and advice here. NHS Track and Trace scams, if you’re contacted by the NHS […]
RESIDENTS are being warned about scammers using the Covid-19 crisis to con them out of their hard-earned cash. East Sussex Trading Standards team is using Scams Awareness Fortnight, which runs from June 15 to June 28, to remind the public to be on their guard. Reports of attempted scams have […]
Did you know scams cost the UK economy £5-£10 Billion a year, with over 50% of people over 65 having already been targeted by scams; and only 5% of all scams reported? With more stores reopening, and online shopping slots becoming available, please take the time to refresh your online […]
This week’s scam and fraud warnings from Action Fraud: EasyJet cyber breach: Action Fraud has been made aware by the National Cyber Security Centre of the cyber breach affecting EasyJet customers. We’re currently monitoring our system for EasyJet related reports to see if there has been a significant increase. Most […]
Action Fraud scam watch Did you know scams cost the UK economy £5-£10 Billion a year, with over 50% of people over 65 having already been targeted by scams; and only 5% of all scams reported? Action Fraud’s top tips Although fraud and cybercrime comes in many forms, there are […]
Police are issuing a warning after several people in Sussex have become victims of pet buying scams. The suspect typically advertises puppies or kittens online and uses the Covid-19 outbreak as the reason the victim can’t come and see the pet. They will often send photos or videos and persuade […]
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) launched the pioneering ‘Suspicious Email Reporting Service’ in April to make it easier than ever to flag suspicious emails – including those claiming to offer services related to coronavirus. As part of the Cyber Aware campaign, the NCSC successfully launched its suspicious email reporting service, resulting […]
Beware of fraudsters that may try to call or knock on your door offering to test you for Covid-19. Police have received a report from the carer of an elderly gentleman who received a phone call to say someone would be coming to test him for Covid-19.Please make elderly relatives […]
Email has always been the most commonplace method used by online fraudsters to trick innocent people out of their money, their identity… or both. It still is. And currently, they’re exploiting the current Coronavirus pandemic with persuasive messages ranging from vaccines and cures to tax refunds and fake charity appeals. […]
The NHS will NEVER ask you to send money directly to a bank account.If you would like to donate to the NHS, you should do so via their official channels or your local NHS Trust. More info here. Received a call or email asking for your personal or financial info? Take […]
It seems we can’t be to careful about all the scams going on at the moment. We are being constantly warned and just to reinforce the message, here is another reminder. The majority of reports are related to online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser […]
Right now, safeguarding ourselves, our loved ones, friends and colleagues from COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is uppermost in people’s minds in the UK and around the world. After all, this is an unprecedented situation which warrants unprecedented precautions. Also of great importance, however, is making sure we also remain safe in the […]