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Carlton pensioner conned out of £4,000 in HMRC scam

Gedling Eye
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Carlton pensioner conned out of £4,000 in HMRC scam

An elderly woman in Carlton has been conned out of £4,000 by criminals claiming to be from HMRC.

Police are asking people to be vigilant after the 85-year-old from Carlton was contacted on Wednesday (10) by someone with a foreign accent claiming to be from HMRC telling her she owed £4,000 in tax dating back to 1969 and that if she didn’t pay, the police would come and arrest her straight away.

They demanded her mobile number and kept her on the phone for most of the day.

She was instructed to go to a supermarket in Arnold and purchase iTunes vouchers, however they only had £2,000 worth of cards available.

The staff did ask her why she was buying so many but she told them they were a present for a relative abroad- as instructed by the suspects.

She was then instructed to go to a supermarket in Castle Marina for the other £2,000 worth of iTunes vouchers. Again, she was asked about her purchase, but gave them the same story.

After this, she was instructed to read the card numbers out to the offender on the phone which she did, but after feeling wary, she took a taxi home.

The pensioner then told her neighbour who called the police. She was then contacted by the suspects yesterday who said they would send someone round to pick up the vouchers. Officers have put measures in place to protect her but believe the offenders are abroad.

Detective Sergeant Nikki Smith of Nottinghamshire Police said: “We’ve had several incidents like this where the suspects purport to be from HMRC and demand the purchase of iTunes vouchers to settle the bill, it’s believed to be a national scam. iTunes have a warning on their website but not many elderly people will see this.

“Additionally, although on both occasions this victim was challenged by supermarket staff, this is unusual and we would ask retailers to be even more robust in their questioning of people purchasing large amounts of vouchers in these circumstances, particularly the elderly.

“We would like people to become more aware of these kind of scams and certainly, HMRC do not operate in this manner to recover any taxes outstanding. We need to look out for our most vulnerable people who could be at riskfrom fraudsters, and challenge them if we become suspicious. You can also report any concerns to 101.”

A HMRC spokesperson said: “HMRC takes security extremely seriously. We are aware that some people have received telephone calls from individuals claiming to be from HMRC.

“We are a well-known brand, which criminals abuse, to add credibility to their scams. HMRC will never request tax debts to be paid in payment vouchers and we are clear that they cannot be used to pay tax.

They added: “We recommend that if you cannot verify the identity of a caller that you do not speak to them. We encourage you to check GOV.UK for information on how to avoid and report scams, recognise genuine HMRC contact and make payments to HMRC.”

Scam warning to NatWest customers in Gedling borough

Gedling Eye
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Scam warning to NatWest customers in Gedling borough

NatWest customers in Gedling borough are being warned about a new scam that allows fraudsters to steal their cash.

The ‘smishing’ scam sees criminals sending unsuspecting victims a text message that appears to be sent from their bank.

The message will ask the customer to verify their account details by clicking on a link which then takes them through to what looks like NatWest’s genuine website.

They are then encouraged to log into their online banking account, which then gives the scammer access to their details and their money.

NatWest has confirmed that this is a scam and advises people not to click on the link.

A spokesman said: “We are aware that a small number of customers received scam text messages this morning.

“Once we became aware of the issue we worked to close down the URL contained within the text messages as quickly as possible.”

The bank is reminding their customers that it will never ask them for their password, full pin, card details or security information via text, over Twitter, on the phone or when they log in to the online banking system.

If you suspect a scam you can report it to phishing@rbs.com or phishing@natwest.com.

Bogus tree surgeon warning to Gedling borough residents

Nick Salt
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Bogus tree surgeon warning to Gedling borough residents

People in Gedling borough are being warned to be on their guard against bogus tree surgeons.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service has responded to several incidents in the area over the past month involving bogus tree surgeons.

Elderly residents have been cold called at the door and then large amounts of money have been demanded for unnecessary work.

Bogus tree surgeons often use vehicles that look legitimate, which are sign written and are also towing equipment.

A spokesman for Trading Standards said: “This time of year does see a rise in fraudulent activity related to garden and house maintenance.

“Never buy from uninvited callers, especially at the door.  Always tell cold callers you are not interested. We would advise you to always get 3 quotes and use http://www.checkatrade.com to find legitimate traders.”

Fencing stolen from Gedling Country Park

Gedling Eye
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Fencing stolen from Gedling Country Park

A number of wooden panels and wire fencing have been stolen from Gedling Country Park

Gedling Borough Council has appealed for information after noticing parts of the fencing near the lagoon by the Lambley Lane entrance were missing.

BEFORE: Fences before panels were stolen
stolen-fencing
AFTER: Fencing after being targeted by thieves

The council posted on Facebook: “Did you see anything? A number of wooden panels and wire fencing have been stolen from the country park near the lagoon by Lambley Lane.

“If you saw anyone moving the panels or have any information please contact us 0115 901 3801 or call 101. Please share.”

Five burglaries reported in one week in Mapperley Park area

Gedling Eye
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Five burglaries reported in one week in Mapperley Park area

Police are to step up patrols in the Mapperley Park area after five hosue burgalries were reported over the past week.

Officers have said that four of these occurred between the hours of 10pm and 7am.

The burglaries occurred on Esher Grove, Shirley Road, Tavistock Drive and Zulla Road.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “Can you please be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

“Police will be conducting high visibility patrols in the area over the next few days.”

Please see http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/prevention for crime prevention advice.

Skimming machine found on cashpoint in Sherwood

Gedling Eye
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Skimming machine found on cashpoint in Sherwood

Police are urging people to check their bank accounts after skimming machine was discovered at a cashpoint in Sherwood

The ATM’s targeted were at TSB bank on Mansfield Road, Sherwood, but police believe there could have been others.

The machine swallowed their card and they have since realised that money has been withdrawn from their account.

The bank are aware and the ATM’s have been checked and the device has since been removed.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “If you used any ATM in the Sherwood or Carrington area this past week, we would recommend checking your account for any unusual withdrawals of cash.

“If you have been a victim, please report it to your bank immediately and contact ACTION FRAUD on 0300 123 2040.”

Police have issued the following advice when using cash machines in the area:

• Check for any abnormalities to the cash machine before inserting your card. If something looks out of place or unusual it probably is. Do not insert your card and report it immediately.

• Always protect your pin, from behind and above, to guard against hidden cameras and someone looking over your shoulder.

• Don’t let yourself get distracted. Don’t use ATMs whilst wearing headphones or on a phone call. If someone starts talking to you for no reason and appears to be trying to distract you, either finish your transaction before speaking to them, or cancel it. Never turn your back on the ATM to talk to someone while you’re using it.

• If your card is taken unexpectedly, don’t walk away from the machine. Contact your bank and, unless it’s been genuinely been withheld because it’s out of date or you’ve forgotten your pin number, have them cancel or put a block on your card.

Human remains found near church in Arnold

Gedling Eye
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Human remains found near church in Arnold

Human remains have been discovered near a church in Arnold.

Officers were called at 4.15pm on Tuesday (May 9) to a site in Cross Street in Arnold following the discovery of the remains during land development.

The site is very close to Cross Street Baptist Church.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “Police are not treating the incident as suspicious at this time.

“Officers are now working with the local authority, the land owner and the Church to establish the most appropriate way forward in relation to the human remains, which are thought to have been buried legitimately some time ago.”

Conservatives make coalition deal to take control of Nottinghamshire County Council

Gedling Eye
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The Conservative Party has entered into a coalition with Mansfield Independent Forum to take control of Nottinghamshire County Council.

The Conservatives won 31 of the 66 seats on the Council at last week’s election, making them the largest group. The Mansfield Independent Forum won four seats.

Official notification of the formation of the new majority group, the Conservative and Mansfield Independent Forum Group, has been submitted to the County Council’s Chief Executive Officer.

Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of the new Conservative and Mansfield Independent Group, said: “We believe the best interests of the County Council and the residents of Nottinghamshire will be served by forming a majority group to provide the strong and stable leadership our county needs.

“We very much look forward to working in partnership with the Mansfield Independent Forum and alongside colleagues from all political groups for the good of Nottinghamshire.

“It is a tremendous honour to be leader of Nottinghamshire County Council again and I am very excited about the challenge that lies ahead, especially at such an historic time for our county and country.”

Councillor Steve Garner, lead member for the Mansfield Independent Forum said: “Whilst Mansfield Independent Forum members remain completely committed to the principles of independence and will be free from a party whip, the formation of a majority group is vital for the Council to operate in an effective and efficient way, which is in the best interests of the communities we represent and the county as a whole.

“We see our role as bringing new ideas and acting as a critical friend to the wider group, which is especially important at a time when the Council is operating with limited funds and needs to maximise its resources.”

The first meeting of the new County Council, the Annual Meeting, will take place on 25 May 2017. The election of a County Council Chairman, Committee Chairs and the membership of committees will be set at the meeting.

Rise in reports of number plate thefts in Carlton and Gedling

Gedling Eye
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Rise in reports of number plate thefts in Carlton and Gedling

Police are warning residents in Gedling and Carlton to be on their guard following a recent rise in reports of car number plate thefts in the area over the past month.

Officers say they are concerned because criminals often steal number plates from legitimate vehicles and put them on cars which will be used to commit crime.

Police are now urging people in the area to buy tamper proof number plate screws which are available from most car part stores to prevent thieves from being able to remove plates.

New private plates can be purchased from https://www.newreg.co.uk/

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “The areas most affected seem to be Gedling and Carlton.

“We will continue to patrol these areas to prevent, deter and where possible capture the offenders.”

Top honour for Ravenshead war hero

Gedling Eye
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Top honour for Ravenshead war hero

A Ravenshead war hero is to be presented with France’s highest military honour this week for his role in helping liberate the country during the Second World War.

Nonagenarian Don Sutton will be presented with the Legion d’Honneur during a special service at Gedling Borough Council’s Civic Centre this Thursday (May 11) .

The award, which is the highest honour the French can bestow, will be formally presented to 99-year-old Mr Sutton by the French Consul in the East Midlands, M. Jean-Claude Lafontaine, for his part in the liberation of France in the summer of 1944.

His regiment, the North Somerset Yeomanry, one of the last horseback regiments who fought on horseback, played a large role in the liberation of France.

Also in attendance will be Mr Sutton’s family, his carers and senior military officers including the Vice Lord Lieutenant.

The Mayor of Gedling will also be present along with Councillors and members of Gedling Borough Council’s senior leadership team.

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