Gwent Police - Safer Internet Day

In support of Safer Internet Day Gwent Police have organised a week of activities in a bid to encourage residents and youngsters to be vigilant when online.

All this week activities have been organised across Gwent in support of Safer Internet Day. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre is leading the campaign and co-ordinating activities in the UK during the week. Activities organised include officers attending a computer retail outlet to distribute advice literature and speak to customers, distribution of information through PACT meeting, delivering information to libraries and internet cafes throughout Gwent school liaison officers delivering assemblies and lessons to school children and an internet safety competition will also be run through schools with six iPod Nanos to be won.

Gary Probert, Manager of the HiTec Crime Unit at Gwent Police said - “Safer Internet Day enables us to focus on the crime prevention aspect of our work. We want to reach parents and youngsters before they use the internet or before they find themselves in a situation they would rather not be in to make sure they are aware of the safe way to conduct themselves online as they would in the real world.”

Gwent Police is offering the following advice:

• Do not give out too much personal information.
• Keep online mates online. Only meet up with someone you have met on line when you are accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Do not accept junk emails or instant messages or open files, pictures or texts from people you don’t know or trust.
• Remember that if you publish a picture or video online anyone can change it or share it.
• Tell someone you trust if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable when using the internet.

For more advice or to report online abuse log onto www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Abergavenny Barclays customers fall victim of card fraud.

Barclays customers in Abergavenny who had money stolen from their accounts are asking why the bank has issued no warnings about the scam. One resident, who wished not to be named, had almost £300 taken from her account by means unknown to her or the bank.

When she made enquires with Barclays it was discovered her money was withdrawn in Lithuania. She said, “Since the incident with my account I have heard that many more Barclays account holders have had the same thing happen to them. “I know of two young women who were left without any money in their accounts.“ Barclays, I believe, have been aware of this scam for some time. Why haven’t they issues some kind of warning to the account holders or place an information bulletin within the bank urging us to make checks on their statements?

“Some Barclay account holders I have spoken to about this incident are changing banks. Surely it would have been good customer relations for the management to have issued some warning to their account holders.”

Paul Hopkins also fell victim to the scam, he said, “Why has it been left up to the victims of fraud to warn others about their misfortunes and where on earth have the responsibilities of managers disappeared?”

Mr Hopkins’ mother had £150 taken out of her account by someone who had obtained her details. “Any self-respecting bank manager should have taken prompt action to inform all customers of their local branch about such acts of theft,” said Mr Hopkins. “I was appalled to find out that several other customer of Barclays hank had also suffered, some having amounts of £700 taken as early as two months prior to this. “The first reported incident should, in my opinion, have been enough to at least issue a letter to all customers warning them to be extra vigilant. I also believe that investigations to the cash machines should have been a priority.”

Gwent Police believe the incidents are a result of ‘card cloning.’ They have now issued a warning following several reports in the Abergavenny area, Police believe the cards were cloned when people were using them at ATMs in the town, Officers are working with the banks and the financial investigation unit on the problem.

PC Andy Charles, from Abergavenny station said, “Gwent Police are warning people to be extra vigilant and to report any- thing suspicious. “A card cloning device may not be readily visible to them but there are usually indications that the ATM has been tampered with. If you do suspect anything, contact the bank and inform the police as soon as possible.”

A Barclays bank spokesman said, “We take all fraud, including ATM fraud, extremely seriously and are continuously looking for innovative ways to combat it. “We advise our customers to regularly check their statements to make sure that the transactions included are correct - if not they should contact the bank immediately to make sure that they have not been subject to fraud. “Barclays works very closely with the police by passing all information to them straight away. As a result the police have been undertaking surveillance operations across the country and have made a number of arrests. “All Barclays customers are covered by the fraud guarantee - if you are an innocent victim of fraud then Barclays will refund your losses.”

Source – Abergavenny Chronicle. 12.02.2009.
Reporter - Gemma Ball.