Community News

Volunteers Needed

New Forest Voluntary Car Schemes.

Since Starting this recruitment drive only three volunteers have come forward. If you have some time on your hands, why not become a volunteer driver for the New Forest Voluntary Car Scheme. Read more.

Community SpeedWatch

Too many drivers are speeding through the village. Read more.

Join Community SpeedWatch and do something about it. Read more.

Village Hall News

The East Boldre Village Hall Committee needs more volunteers and especially a Secretary.

We also need help cataloguing our ever-growing historical collection.

Can you help us? Phone Steve or Gina on 01590 626368.

Safer Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood Watch coordinators are needed. Read more.

Make your street into a No Cold Calling Zone. Read more.

What is a Scam?

O.F.T. Advice

A scam is the modern word for a confidence trick or ‘con’. Essentially, the scammers (con-men or women) try to take your money or possessions by tricking you into handing it over.

Fake lotteries and prize draws, bogus psychic predictions, get-rich-quick investments and ‘miracle’ health cures are just some of the many tricks that scammers try. The tactics that these con-men use are very believable and so powerful that it can be difficult to say no.

Every year, three million people fall victim, losing an average of £850 each, and sometimes a great deal more. And it's not just your money that's at risk. Being taken in by a scam can be very distressing.

The scammers are clever, and all kinds of people from all walks of life get duped. If you let down your guard, you too could become a victim.

Here is some advice from Consumer Direct.

Look out for the warning signs:

• It sounds too good to be true: Beware of hype and extravagant promises. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• You are contacted out of the blue: You may get a phone call, e-mail or letter from someone you've never heard of.
• You are pushed to make a quick decision: Scammers don't like to give you time to think. They will try to pressure you into making a decision by saying things like ‘If you don't act now, you'll miss out.’
• You are asked to give away bank account details: Trustworthy firms will never contact you to ask for this information. If you see any of these signs in a letter, phone call, text message or e-mail, it could well be a scam.

First of all, don't reply. Then bin it, delete it or hang up. And if you're still unsure, you can call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06.

CrimeStoppers list of common scams

Advice From Trading Standards

Trading Standards would advise consumers never to agree to work that is instigated as a result of a cold call. Consumers should obtain at least three written quotes from reputable businesses or traders who belong to a recognised trade association, such as the Hampshire County Council Buy With Confidence Scheme. Details of this scheme can be obtained by telephoning 01962 833620, via email at buy.with.confidence@hants.gov.uk or via the website www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

Traders who agree work at the home of an individual or at a place other than their usual business premises are required by law to provide consumers with a Notice of Right to Cancel, which gives consumers a 7 day cooling off period. Work should not commence until this period has ended, unless written agreement is first obtained from that consumer beforehand.

If anyone has any information about traders who are cold calling or requires any advice on doorstep crime they can contact Hampshire County Council's Quick Response Team on 01962 833666 (Monday - Friday 0900hrs to 1700hrs) where specially trained officers are on hand to provide assistance.

If urgent assistance is required outside of these hours please contact Hampshire Police on 101.

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service

Montgomery House

Monarch Way Winchester

Hampshire

SO22 5PW

Tel: 01962 833620

Fax: 01962 833698

E-mail: doorstep.crime@hants.gov.uk

Click Here to read more about protecting yourself from fraudsters

For a list of the latest scams to watch out for and to download the Trading Standards Scam Bulletins go to Trading Standards Scams Page.

Back to top

This booklet, published by the Office of Fair Trading, is being distributed to some of the households in East Boldre.

If you did not get one, you can download a copy here or get a free copy by, telephoning:

0800 389 3158

Scam Warning

Warning over bogus phone call scam

The Safer New Forest Partnership is warning local householders to be on their guard if they receive "threatening" calls from a bogus phone company.

An anonymous male has been calling vulnerable residents across Hampshire to inform them that they have subscribed to a telephone monitoring service and run up bills of between £3,500 and £6,000.

He tells them they have defaulted on the payment and asks for immediate payment over the phone by card. Residents who have questioned this are told that unless they pay up they will be arrested within hours by the Metropolitan Police and transported to the Queen's Court in London.

Hampshire Trading Standards advises anybody who receives these calls to hang up immediately. Residents can also register for anonymous call barring with their telephone provider. Read more.

Cut the Junk

You can reduce the amount of junk mail, unsolicited phone calls, e-mail spam and unwanted text messages.

Junk Mail:

Register with the Mail Preference Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk or by phoning 0845 703 4599.

Unsolicited Phone Calls and Texts:

Register with the Telephone Preference Service at www.tpsonline.org.uk or by phoning 0845 070 0707.

E-mail Spam:

Make sure you have a firewall and anti-virus software installed on your computer. You can fins advice at www.getsafeonline.org.