THIEVES ABOUT

There were a number of attempted thefts reported to the recent Parish Council meeting including another attempted break-in in Ewell Lane in broad daylight.

Please make sure you lock all doors and windows, when you go out. Don’t leave tempting things visible, most thefts are opportunistic and not planned. Do not give them the opportunity!

West Farleigh has a relatively low crime rate - lets keep it like this.  Please do contact your Neighbourhood Watch representatives if you have any concerns.

What do I mean by my neighbourhood?  Traditionally, the friendly little community around my home.  But as the world becomes more connected, perhaps we need to rethink the word.  Aren’t your Facebook friends “neighbours” of a kind?  Perhaps we should call them e-neighbours and the community to which I am electronically connected, is my e-neighbourhood.

My e-neighbourhood is really a jungle.  E-thieves, e-beasts and e-snakeoil salesmen lurk behind every tree.  Here’s a recent example.  I had a friendly but unsolicited call from my phone company (Vodafone, to save you guessing).  The lady wanted to review my account.  I agreed and it turned out she could put me on a better plan, with more monthly data that matched my actual usage.  That would save me money!  Of course, I was grateful and ready to agree.  And, she said, with this plan, you will receive a free tablet computer!  Wow!  I don’t actually need a tablet computer but maybe my 2 year old granddaughter does.  I’m sure she does.  And then I remembered…

2 years ago, I had a similar call from Vodafone.  This time, it was a free dongle that would create a wi-fi zone for multiple computers.  I could use it on the train.  Free?  Not really!  When my monthly bill arrived, I discovered that I was paying £15 a month for the SIM card inside.  I had unknowingly signed up for a year.  Ugh.  But once bitten, as they say, twice shy.

“So,” I said suspiciously to the Vodafone lady, “does this tablet come with a SIM card?”  “Oh yes,” she said, “of course.”  Ah-ha!!  “In that case,” I said firmly, “I don’t want it.”  “In that case,” she said firmly, “you can’t have the new data contract.”  I saw red.  The conversation became heated.  The term “mis-selling” floated between us.  It was the magic word.  All of a sudden, I could have the new contract, and no tablet needed.  

I’m sharing this, hoping it will help a real neighbour being stung the same way.  

This article is an editorial piece, not derived from the official Neighbourhood Watch.  

Has something like this happened to you?  Comment below or email us: editor@thefarleighs.co.uk  

A garden wall in Charlton Lane was badly damaged between 7 am and 8.15 am this morning.

If you saw anything please contact editors@farleighevents.co.uk. This link shows the damage.

West Kent Police have sent the advise below relating to rogue traders.

Do not deal with doorstep callers offering work on your home or garden. In one incident a 'trader' inspected the houseowners roof and reappeared with a dead squirrel stating the roof was infested.  He demanded £300!

. Use reputable traders who are members of the KCC Trading Standards approved trader scheme, run in partnership with Checkatrade.

. Ask for quotes in writing and check that the tradesperson is from the company they say they are from.

. Ring at least three traders to get a feel for an average price for the job.

Call 101 to report any problems involving suspected rogue traders or call the Citizens Advice Consumer Services Consumer Direct on 03454 040506.

West Kent Neighbourhood Watch Scheme's magazine, Watch Out is now available. Click here to view

Kent Police will be holding their 5th Open Day at Kent Police HQ, Sutton Road , Maidstone, celebrating 160 year of Policing in Kent on Sunday 2nd July 2017, all are welcome.

Jasmine Pay, is the new PCSO covering West and East Farleigh, she would like to attend village events such as markets, fairs, coffee mornings etc. Her email address is jasmine.pay@kent.pnn.police.uk. 

Fraudsters are turning to kindness with new phishing emails which encourage the recipient to open an attachment on the false premise that they could have already fallen victim to scammers. For more information please follow this link

The latest email scam includes an image apparently taken from a traffic camera and claims that you have been issued with a driver violation and should click a link to read a notification.

Don't click this is a scam

Reason: negligent driving
Camera radar.Hello
You've been issued with a driver violation: The fee shall be accredited within the statutory period of up to 25.02.2017. This is an automated message, please do not reply.Case No: 05776
Date of infringement: 18/02/2017
Amount due: 22.25 CADPlease read notification [Link removed]

As you are probably aware BT are offering their customers a free service of blocking known cold call numbers - on the back of this it appears that there is a telephone scam going round.

A call was made by someone who said they were from the Telephone Preference Service and that they could upgrade the victims membership of the TPS (Telephone Preference Service)and block unwanted calls for free.

They already had the last four numbers of their credit card and asked for the rest of the number - when asked why if it was free they said as form of identify

Please be on your guard.

Sadly this was provided to them and they then went on to ask for the 3 letter security number on the back at this point it was realised that they were being scammed.

They told the caller that they wouldn't give them that to which the scammers replied 'Well it isn't as though we are asking you for your pin number'