TSB Port Out Alert

There has been an increase in reports made in May by TSB customers relating to “port-out” fraud. Fraudsters are putting a victim’s telephone number on to a new phone SIM card under their control and then using the number to access the victim’s bank accounts. The increase in the number of reports corresponds with the timing of TSB’s computer system update, which resulted in 1.9 million users being locked out of their accounts. Opportunistic fraudsters are using TSB’s system issue to target individuals, which follows the increase in phishing and smishing communications also targeting TSB customers this month. Victims’ bank account and personal details including their phone number are collected by the fraudster, providing them with the information to execute the fraud. Number porting is a genuine service provided by telecommunication companies. It allows customers to keep their existing phone number and transfer it to a new SIM card. The existing network provider sends the customer a Port Authorisation Code (PAC), that when presented to the new provider allows the number to be transferred across. This service can, however, be abused by fraudsters. To gain control of the victim’s phone number, fraudsters convince the victim’s mobile phone network provider to swap their number on to a SIM card in the fraudster’s control. Once the fraudster has control of the number they are able to intercept the victims’ text messages, allowing them to use services linked to the victim’s phone number. This can include requesting an online banking password reset or access to any two factor authentication services. Victims have reported large losses as a result of this fraud. One victim initially dismissed text messages received from their network provider containing a PAC number. Two days later £6,000 was removed from the victim’s TSB current account. The victim subsequently contacted their phone provider and was informed that someone contacted the provider purporting to be the victim and had cancelled their contract and transferred their number to a new SIM. This action allowed the banking fraud to take place.  Protect Yourself: PAC Code notifications If you receive an unsolicited notification about a PAC Code request, contact your network provider immediately to terminate the request. Also notify your bank about your phone number being compromised.   Clicking on links/files: Don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. Remember, criminals can spoof the phone numbers and email addresses of companies you know and trust, such as your bank.   Requests to move money: A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Port-out Fraud versus SIM Swapping Port-out fraud is often incorrectly referred to as SIM swap fraud. SIM swap fraud works in a similar fashion, however, instead of porting the victim’s number to a new network provider, the fraudster impersonates the victim and requests a new SIM card for their account. Once they have access to the new sim, they have access to the number.

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Deanwood Lodge to close

Glos Live Online photo

It is very sad to hear that Deanwood Lodge is closing on June 8th, apparently due to the difficulty of recruiting enough specialist carers.

There are more details on Glos Live Online here.  Most of the residents for whom the County Council has responsibility have been found places elsewhere, but moving and changes in routine are bound to be particularly upsetting for people suffering from dementia.

Consruction work at Over roundabout

The County Council's web page about this is here.

Work started on 30 April and will last for 18 weeks, finishing in August 2018.

There will be no lane closures between 7am – 9:30am and 3:30pm – 6pm throughout the scheme.

All daytime works will be completed using lane closures with the roundabout remaining open. Delays are expected but access will still be possible.

Although some weekend working may be necessary, the majority of the work will take place on weekdays. At present there are only two weekends identified (4 - 5 and 11 - 12 of August) where work will be carried out to resurface the roundabout  - see details below. Further information on road closures will be provided at the time.

Road Closures:

A40 Westbound (between Longford Roundabout and Over Roundabout) will be closed overnight from 29 May to 15 June between 7pm – 6am. The diversion can be viewed here (PDF, 6 MB) .

A417 Southbound (approach to Over from Maisemore) will be closed overnight from 29 May to 13 June between 7pm – 6am. The diversion can be viewed here (PDF, 5.2 MB) .

Resurfacing of the roundabout will take place over two weekends in August (4 – 5 and 11 – 12 August). Road closures will be in place from 7pm Friday evening through to 6am Monday morning. Please note that further restrictions will be in place during the resurfacing of the roundabout but access will be maintained where possible.

More details and traffic advice will be issued nearer the time.

Construction Update Bulletins

If you would like to be added to the distribution list for these bulletins please contact  christian.chambers@britanniaconstruction.co.uk
 
Bulletin 1 - 17 May 2018 (PDF, 270.5 KB)

TSB Phishing Attacks

There has been a sharp rise in fraudsters sending out fake text messages (smishing) and phishing emails claiming to be from TSB. The increase in the number of reports corresponds with the timing of TSB’s computer system update, which resulted in 1.9 million users being locked out of their accounts. Opportunistic fraudsters are using TSB’s system issue to target people with this type of fraud. Since the start of May there have been 321 phishing reports of TSB phishing made to Action Fraud. This is an increase of 970% on the previous month. In the same reporting period, there have been 51 reports of cybercrime to Action Fraud which mention TSB – an increase of 112% on the previous month. Fraudsters are commonly using text messages as a way to defraud unsuspecting victims out of money. Known as smishing, this involves the victim receiving a text message purporting to be from TSB. The message requests that the recipient clicks onto a website link that leads to a phishing website designed to steal online banking details. Although text messages are currently the most common delivery method, similar communications have been reported with fraudsters using email and telephone to defraud individuals. In several cases, people have lost vast sums of money, with one victim losing £3,890 after initially receiving a text message claiming to be from TSB. Fraudsters used specialist software which changed the sender ID on the message so that it looked like it was from TSB. This added the spoofed text to an existing TSB message thread on the victim’s phone. The victim clicked on the link within the text message and entered their personal information. Armed with this information, the fraudsters then called the victim back and persuaded them to hand over their banking authentication code from their mobile phone. The fraudsters then moved all of the victim’s savings to a current account and paid a suspicious company. Protect Yourself: Don’t assume an email or text is authentic: Always question uninvited approaches in case it’s a scam. Phone numbers and email addresses can be spoofed, so always contact the company directly via a known email or phone number (such as the one on the back of your bank card). Clicking on links/files Don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected text or email. Remember, a genuine bank will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your full PIN or password. If you have received a suspicious TSB email, please do not respond to it, report it to us https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_phishing and also forward it to emailscams@tsb.co.uk Every Report Matters. If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, report it to us online or by calling 0300 123 2040. Visit Take Five and Cyber Aware for more information about how to protect yourself online.

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Annual Parish Meeting agenda published

The agenda for Maisemore's Annual Parish Meeting has now been published and is available on line from the Agendas & Minutes page of this site. 

The Annual General Meeting of the Village Hall Committee will be held immediately after the Annual Parish Meeting.

The draft minutes of the Parish Council's Annual Meeting held on 14th May have also been published and are listed on the Agendas & Minutes page.

Audit and accounts information

New documents have been added to this site to do with the audit and accounts of Maisemore Parish Council.

The Confirmation of the Dates of the Period for the Exercise of Public Rights is here.

The table of variances is here, with the explanation boxes associated with them are here.

Bonfires and pollution - information from Tewkesbury Borough Council

Bonfires can be a source of irritation to neighbours - both literally and socially.  Tewkesbury Borough Council has some guidance on its website about this - here.

It is illegal to burn any sort of trade waste unless you hold an Environment Agency exemption certificate.

Agenda for next PC meeting published

The agend for the next Parish Council meeting on Monday 14th May has now been published and is on the website here.

The meeting will be at 7.30pm in the committee room of Maisemore Village Hall.  As usual, there will be an opportunity for public participation at the start of the meeting.

Don't take the bait

What you need to know about phishing

 

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Wireless broadband gets go-ahead from PCC

Maisemore Parochial Church Council has resolved to allow Voneus to proceed with arrangements with the Diocese for their ultrafast wireless broadband installation for Maisemore.  If all goes well, the signal will be transmitted from a small installation on the church roof.

If you haven't already registered an interest in this, you can do so at the Voneus website - www.voneus.com.  There's a facebook discussion group for this here.

Adult education in Gloucestershire

The County Council has issued a new poster about Adult Education in Gloucestershire.  If you know of anyone who would like to take advantage of these opportunities, please let the know.  There are more details on the GCC website.

Scammers try to exploit worries over TSB

I received this email recently.  It's a scam trying to exploit people' concerns over the recent computing problems at TSB.  If you get anything like this, delete it and do NOT click any links.

1 new important message

View message

Yours sincerely,

TSB Internet & Mobile Banking Team  

The subject line was  'You have received a private message'.  The main clue to it being a scam was the from email address: abb0@gofb.com.au.  I don't think TSB would be emailing their customers from Australia!

Cryptocurrency fraud warning

Fraudulent Cryptocurrency Investments and Fake Endorsements

Fraudulent websites alleging to offer cryptocurrency investments are dishonestly using the image of Martin Lewis, the founder and editor for moneysavingexpert.com, as an endorsement for their companies. The adverts using Martin Lewis to promote illicit schemes can be found on social media and other websites. Clicking on the advert takes you to the full article where Martin Lewis image is presented along with fake quotes recommending investments in bitcoin and other digital currencies with the fraudulent “company”. Alternatively clicking on the advert will take you to a page where you are required to input your contact details, the suspect company then phones you and encourages you to invest. Martin Lewis has published a warning to the public saying “I don’t do adverts. If you ever see one with my face or name on it, it is without my permission, and usually a scam”. The full article can be found here; https://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2018/03/13/martin-lewis-spread-word-dont-believe-scam-bitcoin-code-bitcoin-trading-ads/?_. Similarly these fraudulent websites are also misusing images and fabricating recommendations from the investors on Dragons Den. These adverts also claim the investors on the panel trade in cryptocurrencies using their services to try and legitimise their company.    What you need to do   Don’t assume it’s authentic: Professional-looking websites, adverts or social media posts don’t indicate that an investment opportunity is genuine. Criminals can exploit the names of well-known brands or individuals to make their scams appear legitimate. Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: A genuine bank or financial organisation won’t force you to make a financial transaction on the spot. Always be wary if you’re pressured to invest quickly or promised returns that sound too good to be true. Stay in control: Avoid unsolicited investment offers, especially those over cold calls. If you’re thinking about making an investment, get impartial advice from an independent financial adviser – never use an adviser from the company that contacted you, as this may be part of the scam. Visit Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/) and Cyber Aware (cyberaware.gov.uk) for more information about how to protect yourself online.

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Road closures in connection with the Over roundabout works

Full details of the road closures connected with the widening and 'improvement' scheme for Over roundabout are here.

Can you save Maisemore Fete?

 

Sheila Wardle writes:

 

Although there are stallholders for many of the fete stalls this year, we have been unable to find anyone to coordinate the 2018 fete.

This is a sad situation because if it does not run this year then it will probably finish for good as the momentum from many years will be lost.

If anyone feels that they may be able to pull everything together then we would love to hear from you. 

If you can help or would like to know more please contact the Village Hall Committee at fete@maisemorevillagehall.co.uk.

Thank you!

Staunton and Corse Surgery Spring Newsletter

The Staunton and Corse Surgery Spring Newsletter is available to read on line here.

The surgery's website contains lots of useful information.

Tewkesbury Farmers’ and Craft Market

Tewkesbury’s popular farmers’ and crafts market is back for 2018 with lots of tasty treats and goodies on offer.

 

From 9am to 1.30pm on 12 May, 2018, Abbey Lawns car park on Gander Lane, Tewkesbury (GL20 5PG) will be packed with stalls offering an array of fresh, seasonal produce and beautiful crafts by local farmers and artists.

Councillor Rob Bird, Tewkesbury Borough Council’s lead member for economic development and promotion, said: "Tewkesbury Farmers' Markets are a fantastic attraction which make a really interesting shopping experience - come and browse the best that local farmers, small traders and artists have to offer.

 

“These events are a real boost to small businesses, selling local produce and crafts, with the added advantage of limited packaging to clutter your bin!"  

 

The markets will carry on throughout the year, on the second Saturday of the month. The dates for your diary are: 12 May, 9 June, 14 July, 11 August, 8 September, 13 October, 10 November, and 8 December.

Beware of this scam

Magazine Advertise Debt Alert

Victims receive a telephone call from someone purporting to be a bailiff enforcing a court judgement, attempting to recover funds for a non-existent debt. The fraudsters state the debt originates from the victim not paying a magazine advertisement subscription. A variety of magazine names and publishers are being used by the fraudsters, who also commonly use the names of certified Bailiff Enforcement Agents such “Scott Davis”, “Stephen King” and “Mark Taylor”. These are names of certified Bailiff Enforcement Agents employed by debt enforcement companies.   The fraudsters request that the debt be repaid by bank transfer. If the victim refuses, they threaten to visit the victim’s home or place of work to recover the debt that is owed. Once the money has been transferred, victims are not provided with receipt details of the payment or contact details. Later when victims make enquiries, they’ll discover that the debt did not exist, and often that no advertisement was placed. This type of fraud is nationwide. Since 2017, there have been 52 Action Fraud Reports relating to this fraud. From the reports received, there are a range of different businesses and individuals being targeted. Protection Advice:   1. Listen to your instinct: just because someone knows your basic details, such as your name and address, it doesn’t mean they are genuine. 2. Stay in control: always question cold callers: always contact the companies directly using a known email or phone number. 3. Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision: a legitimate company will be prepared to wait whilst you verify information. If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. Visit Take Five (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/advice/) and Cyber Aware (cyberaware.gov.uk) for more information about how to protect yourself online.

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