22/2/2018
BADGERS MOUNT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

THIS MESSAGE IS IMPORTANT AND YOU ARE INVITED TO READ AND DIGEST
- At around 1615hrs on Thur 15 Feb a resident received a phone call from an (alleged) debt collecting organisation saying that they possessed a court order for the sum of £2,236.36 in connection with the ‘BOOKS FOR SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN’.
- It was alleged that he (the resident) had set up the agreement verbally and over the phone and furthermore that they had checked that it was his voice through some sort of voice recognition technology they claimed to possess.
- The commitment was said to be for £199/month.
- They said two guys were on the way to his house to collect the debt which would attract a 30% additional charge if a personal visit was involved. The implication being that if he paid the money immediately the 30% would be waived.
- The resident threated to phone the Police and the caller offered to do that for him which he declined.
- The resident then called the Police who said that they were not aware of this particular scam but had seen something similar.
- NO ONE turned up at the resident’s house.
- The resident said that he only smelt a rat as the conversation developed and furthermore it was both scary and intimidating and the caller (who gave his name as Duncan Smith) was very convincing by quoting a lot of personal detail which he recognised.
- The resident expressed concern that an older person could easily offer up their financial details so kindly spread the word THAT IT’S A DEFINITE SCAM.

END OF REPORT

On a completely separate issue one of our coordinators recently received an evening visit from an Eastern European type of guy who spoke very little English and it never became clear precisely what he was seeking. Nothing wrong with that as such but this incident should reinforce the message regarding the fitting and use of door chains.
Dave Woledge
01959 534338

SEVENOAKS NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE

Sevenoaks Neighbourhood Policing Team advice for improving the security of homes, garages and outbuildings:

• How Secure are your Home, Shed and Garage? Are all locks and windows in good repair?
• Dispose of packaging carefully so as not to advertise any new purchases
• Check the ID of callers
• Use timer switches to make your home look occupied
• Lock windows & doors when you go out or go to bed (keep keys safe in case of emergency)
• Avoid leaving valuables on display, do not leave car keys within reach of letterboxes
• Use chains to secure wheelie bins & ladders when not in use - they could be used as climbing aids
• Install shed alarms and security lights wherever possible
• Security mark your garden equipment and power tools
• Lock away all tools after use - they could be stolen or used to break into your home
• Defensive Planting- Consider planting prickly plants, bushes and shrubs around vulnerable areas such as windows, fences and boundaries
• Keep garage doors closed at all times- Do not advertise the contents to potential criminals
• Fit wire mesh on the inside of window frames in sheds and garages

Visit www.kent.police.uk for more crime prevention advice.