Author: Stourpaine Parish Council

People selling their items on online platforms are falling victim to a new type of advance fee fraud. This involves a fraudster, posing as a buyer, sending an email to the seller (victim), agreeing to the full asking price of the item. They state that they are unable to collect the item themselves and will arrange for a courier to pick it up instead.

The fraudster then sends a fake payment confirmation email from a different email address, one which falsely purports to be from a payment platform. In the course of the email exchange, the seller/victim is requested to pay the courier fee. Once the payment is made the contact is broken, the item is not picked up and the money paid for the ‘courier’ is gone.

An example of the most recent emails received by the victim/seller, from the ‘Buyer’, read:

“I want you to consider this a deal as i am willing to pay your full asking price! i actually want to buy it for a family member who is urgently in need of it, i have checked through your posting and i’m fully satisfied with it. Unfortunately, i would not be able to come personally to view/collect, i work offshore as an instructor on a oil rig so i dont have time at all, but like i said i am 100% OK with the advert”
Protect Yourself:

• Be wary when buyers wish to purchase items at the full asking price without viewing them.
• Check the validity of the payment receipt confirmation
• Avoid paying an advanced fee if you are a seller; should you choose to use a courier, arrange your own.
• Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller/buyer. Feedback will give you useful information about recent transactions other buyers/sellers have made.

If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Did you know that many services are available through the website?

Do It Online is a contact portal that can be found on the front page of our website www.dorset.police.uk. Here you can select the service most appropriate to your enquiry and complete the form as directed. Please give as much information as you can to help us answer your enquiry.

The Do It Online function enables you to make enquiries without the need of calling 101, therefore saving your time and any unnecessary expense.

Unfortunately, yesterday between the hours of 1330 and 1700, a property on Blandford Road, Iwerne Minster was broken into and an untidy search was conducted. Entry was gained via a side window and electrical items taken. It is a similar MO to recent breaks in the areas between Blandford and Shaftesbury and it is being considered that they may be linked.

Anyone with any information with regards to this is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting Occ No.55160116247. Thank you

We have received several reports recently of an HMRC scam whereby people are getting automated messages, supposedly from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, stating monies need to be paid and law suits are being filed.

We are aware of this scam and are encouraging residents not to give out any personal details and not to call back where messages have been left. If you feel the need to contact HMRC, please only do so through numbers sourced by yourself and to leave a period of time after you have received any contact from possible scammers.

Please spread the word to your friends and family, particularly those who you feel may be vulnerable to this type of scam.

MEET AND GREET’ YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM

It’s that time of year again; The Great Dorset Steam Fair is on it’s way to the Tarrant Valley.  As always, Blandford NPT will be running our community engagement and reassurance operation during the Steam Fair period.  We will have our dedicated team deployed to the Tarrant Valley between:
16^th August – 30^th August 2016
In order for members of the local community to meet the team, discuss any concerns or ask any crime prevention advice, we have organised two dedicated time slots where the team will be available at Tarrant Hinton Village Hall to meet with you:
Friday 29^th July – 10:00-11:00 – Drop-in Surgery*
Thursday 4^th August – 19:00-20:00 – Drop-in surgery*
*Subject to operational commitments at the time

Many thanks,

Blandford NPT

Do It Online is a contact portal that can be found on the front page of our website www.dorset.police.uk. Here you can select the service most appropriate to your enquiry and complete the form as directed. The Do It Online function enables you to make enquiries without the need of calling 101, therefore saving your time and any unnecessary expense.

• Report a crime or Incident – If you have something to report, which isn’t happening now, please use this form under the Do it Online tab
• Request a call back – You can ask us to give you a call back at a time that suits you by going to this section of the website
• Message for an Officer – If you would like to leave a message for a specific employee you can do so online using this tab under the Do it Online tab
• Make a complaint – If you wish to make a complaint or leave feedback for us you can do so using the new Complaints or other Feedback form found under the Do it Online section
• Freedom of information – Would you like to obtain some information under the Freedom of Information Act? Please visit this section of the website
• Compliments & feedback – You can use this section, found under the Do it Online section of the website, to provide us with comments, compliments and suggestions about the service we provide
• General enquiry – You can make a general enquiry quickly and easily without the need to call 101 and wait in a queue.
• Email us – You can send an email to 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk
• Call us – If you cannot use our online services, call 101 for non-emergency issues
• Finally, remember: in an emergency, dial 999