Cashpoint scam

This message is from Crime Reduction and is for residents of South and West
Devon.

Once again false information has been circulated recently via emails and
other media, including the Television Channel Fox TV, with regards to a way
of alerting police when being forced to remove funds from a bank account by
a mugger or similar criminal.

This information informs you that when you?re at the cash point if you type
your Pin number in Reverse i.e. instead of 1234 you type 4321 the cash point
will still allow money to be dispensed but will alert the Police that there
is something wrong.

Police would like to advise that this information is incorrect. ATM machines
are not linked to the Police and this false information could confuse people
into thinking that this is a safe way to contact the police when in a
similar situation.

Please advise any-one who may have heard of this false information that is
in fact a hoax.

'Phone scam

This message relates to Police Log No. 579 14th April 2008

Police would like to remind Residents in the Devon area to be aware of Phone
scams that appear to be doing the rounds.

This involves an automated call relating to a loophole in the law with
regards to Debt. The call goes on for a while and then asks you to ?press 5?
for more details. As with many scams pressing ?5? will probably connect you
to a highly priced line for information, which is likely to be untrue.

Please remember never to give out personal details and should you receive a
call like this just end the call by putting the Phone down right away.

If you have any queries then please contact us on the General Enquiries
Number 08452 777 444 quoting CMS and Police Log No. 579 14th April 2008.

Thank you for your Co-operation.
Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444. Do not reply to this
email address as this in an unmanned account.

Bogus utility officials

This message relates to Police Log No. 912 16th April 2008 and is for
residents across the South and West Devon area.

Police are receiving reports relating to Bogus Utility officials,
particularly the Water Board, being present in the area. However this is not
just limited to the Water Board this can include the Council and Electrical
suppliers as well as Handymen or Rogue Traders.

These Bogus callers for the Water Board were described as 2 males the first
being white 28 to 30 years of age with a shaved head wearing a fluorescent
waistcoat and blue latex gloves. There is no description for the 2nd male.

Please remember that all official workman for Utility companies do carry ID
on them and will be happy for you to check their identity with the company
before you let them into your home especially if your not expecting anyone
to call.

With some companies you can even set up passwords that all workman need to
quote so that you can be sure that they are who they say they are. Please
check with your local supplier to see if this can be set up.

Please be vigilant of neighbours especially the vulnerable or elderly and if
you see anything you believe to be suspicious then contact the Police on the
General Enquiries Number 08452 777 444 or in an Emergency call 999.

Burglar alert

This is a message for Teignbridge Residents.

Recently within the Teignbridge area there have been a number of burglaries
to peoples homes where access has been gained through the front door of the
property.

In each case where this has happened the front door was only protected by a
night latch (sometimes referred to as a 'Yale lock'). It is a minimum
standard of security that if the last point of exit from the home is a
wooden door, then it should be fitted with a five lever mortice lock that
meets British Standard 3621, or a lock of an equivalent standard.

If you have any concerns about any aspect of your home security then please
contact your local Crime Prevention Officer (Brian Graham) on 01626 215158.

Thank you for your co-operation.
Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444. Do not reply to this
email address as this in an unmanned account.

Bogus water officials

This message relates to police log 306 of the 18th March 2008. Bogus
waterboard officials got into a property in Newton Abbott yesterday 18th
March and stole money. Please be aware of this and remember to check callers
identity carefully, using door chains if you have them. Please also warn
neighbours. All suspicious callers should be reported to the police.
Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444. Do not reply to this
email address as this in an unmanned account.
This message relates to police log 306 of the 18th March 2008. Bogus
waterboard officials got into a property in Newton Abbott yesterday 18th
March and stole money. Please be aware of this and remember to check callers
identity carefully, using door chains if you have them. Please also warn
neighbours. All suspicious callers should be reported to the police.
Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444. Do not reply to this
email address as this in an unmanned account.

Bags in cars

This is a message for all residents in South and West Devon.

Police would like to take this opportunity to ask you to leave nothing on
display in vehicles. As Christmas approaches and shops are open later we
tend to buy more items leading to more bags, which means more trips to the
Car to off load. Please make sure all bags are placed securely in the Boot
not left on the back seat of the Car. Anything that can be seen through the
Car Window can be appealing to thieves.

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444.

'Phone scam

Please be aware that there are reports coming in of Scams involving
Telephone calls from people purporting to be from Visa or Mastercard. They
ring to advise you that a purchase for ?497 for an Anti-Telemarketing Device
is waiting to be authorised on the account and are checking that it is you
that has made this purchase.

When you confirm that you haven?t made this purchase they advise that they
will cancel the purchase and need the last 3 digits off the back of the card
on the signature strip to prove that you have your card with you. This is
indeed a scam and once they have your security number from your card they
will put the transaction through and on your next statement you will be
charged.

Do not give them your details as no bank or Credit Card company would ever
ask for any card numbers over the phone as they have your details on their
system. Instead advise that you will ring your Card issuer to confirm the
conversation before going any further. When you do contact your card issuer
make sure they are aware of the total quoted so that they can make sure no
transaction goes through. If you believe that this may have already happened
to you contact your card issuer who will be able to advise you on what to do
next.

Thank you for your interest in this matter.
Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444. Do not reply to this
email address as this in an unmanned account.

Farm watch

Farm Watch



Police Log No. 472 29th November 2007.
Please be on the look out for any suspicious activity involving people in vehicles looking for Scrap Batteries. There have been various reports of vehicles driving onto farms and when approached the Occupants have asked where they may be able to pick up scrap batteries. There have also been
reports of burglaries on some farms and although the incidents may not be linked Police would like to make you aware of them.

The first Vehicle is described as a Yellow Flat Bed Lorry but no Registration number is known. The second vehicle is a Transit Van Registration Number SF 03 LNX although these maybe false plates and had 2 occupants in it. The first the Driver is described as a white male in his 50’s big built with a speech impediment. He had long grey hair with a beard and was wearing a light coloured jacket. The passenger in the vehicle was also male but there was no description of him. If you have any information or see anything you believe to be suspicious then please contact the Police on the General Enquiries Number 08452 777 444 quoting CMS and Police Log No. 472 29th November 2007.