Be alert to scams inRother warn police

Sussex Police are urging residents to be vigilant to scams in the Rother district.
Undated PA file photo of a credit card transaction. Identity theft looks set to increase as credit and debit card companies get to grips with plastic fraud, a report warned Wednesday 25 August 2004.  Market analyst Datamonitor said UK card fraud fell for the first time in nine years during 2003, dropping by 5% to £402.4 million.  The group is predicting that fraud levels will fall even further with the introduction of chip and pin cards.  See PA 0430 Story MONEY Fraud. PA Photo PA*1087883Undated PA file photo of a credit card transaction. Identity theft looks set to increase as credit and debit card companies get to grips with plastic fraud, a report warned Wednesday 25 August 2004.  Market analyst Datamonitor said UK card fraud fell for the first time in nine years during 2003, dropping by 5% to £402.4 million.  The group is predicting that fraud levels will fall even further with the introduction of chip and pin cards.  See PA 0430 Story MONEY Fraud. PA Photo PA*1087883
Undated PA file photo of a credit card transaction. Identity theft looks set to increase as credit and debit card companies get to grips with plastic fraud, a report warned Wednesday 25 August 2004. Market analyst Datamonitor said UK card fraud fell for the first time in nine years during 2003, dropping by 5% to £402.4 million. The group is predicting that fraud levels will fall even further with the introduction of chip and pin cards. See PA 0430 Story MONEY Fraud. PA Photo PA*1087883

And they have said there is hardly a day that goes by without someone in Sussex reporting a scam or attempted fraud.

A police spokesman said: “Thankfully more and more people are getting wise to these crimes.

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One of the latest incidents was flagged up by a member of the public who came into Bexhill Police Station to say they had been contacted via phone, by an unknown computer security company, offering to check their home computer security for a £200 fee.

A police spokesman said: “While the offer sounded quite tempting, the resident decided not to take up their services and did not give personal details over the phone.

“If you do receive calls like this, and you are requiring such a service, do not be tempted into signing up straight away, do some research on the company and never feel pressurised into giving away personal details.

If they are a legitimate company they will wait for your custom.”

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Sussex police have also warned of bogus charity collectors operating in the county.

Armed with clipboards they enter shops claiming to be collecting for disabled children but after distracting people they stole mobile phones and bank cards.

Two men holding clipboards entered a shop in Sackville Road, Bexhill, claiming to be raising funds for an unnamed children’s deaf school.

The men were acting suspiciously and made out they couldn’t talk. They were able to distract the victim and steal an iphone 6 mobile phone.

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the men were described as Middle Eastern, aged between 20- 30, of medium build and height and wearing blue jeans.

Inspector Tony Wakefield said: “We are extremely keen to locate and speak to these two men. We would also advise people to keep their valuables locked or hidden away and never left in an accessible place such as the top of a desk or counter.”

If you have become a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud online, or by phone on 0300 123 2040.