Scam E-mails

Scam emails from 'Researchers'

Beware receiving any email claiming to be from researchers asking for donations. One such email claimed to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, downloading to a fake Microsoft login page requesting email and password. 

COVID-19 email tax scam

Beware emails alleging to be from HM Revenue and Customs offering a precautionary tax measure due to the coronavirus outbreak 'in co-operation with National Insurance and National Health Services'. The scam email asks you to click on a link for a refund of £128.34.

HMRC will never contact you in this way, be suspicious of emails alleging to be from government services and never click on any link or give your personal or financial details.

Scam emails from WHO

Hackers are sending emails pretending to be from the World Health Organisation. The email claims that the attached document details how recipients can prevent the spread of the disease. Clicking on the attachment gives the hackers the opportunity to infect the computer with malicious software.

If you would like to read information given out by the WHO, go directly to their official website.

Scam emails from 'Researchers' 

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has identified reports where victims have attempted to purchase protective face masks from fraudulent sellers.   Always use known, reputable online suppliers. Best advice for any transactions over £100 is to pay by credit card for extra protection.

Scammers shopping for elderly

A number of genuine community groups across the County are setting up, offering to help the elderly and vulnerable with tasks such as shopping. Although we are unaware of problems in the county so far, there is the potential for scammers to take advantage of the situation, taking payment up front, and not returning. Reports of such incidents have already been received in the Rochdale area where the scammers pretended to be from the council.

Be particularly wary of those going door to door and offering these services with no paperwork and contact details. Genuine schemes should be properly organised, with clear paperwork and should give you the option of responding or not.

Price increases for goods

Trading Standards is receiving a number of complaints about shops excessively increasing the prices of goods, particularly food stuffs and sanitisation products that are in high demand. Whilst suppliers are free to set their own prices, Trading Standards work closely with the Competition and Markets Authority and will consider any evidence that companies may have broken competition or consumer protection law.
Reports have also been received regarding misleading claims being made about the efficacy of protective equipment and sanitisation products.
Please report such practices to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133.

Bogus door to door sellers

Lancashire Police have received reports of door to door sales people offering "home Coronavirus testing kits". Please be aware, such items are fake, no such testing facility is currently available to the public in the UK.

The Police have also received reports of cold callers selling hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves and whilst this may not be a scam, this Service would urge you against purchasing these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.

Remember Trading Standards advice is to always say no to cold callers.

*POSTPONED* Parish Assembly

Due to the current situation with regards to Coronavirus and government advice, the parish council has taken the decision to postpone its Annual Assembly until further notice. 

Independent guide to care and support in Lancashire – a crucial time for information

A new, updated, independent Care Services Directory has been published recently. It gives readers crucial information on how to access, and pay for, care services throughout Lancashire.

You may have seen there’s a huge amount in the media at the moment about the crisis in social care. If you’re growing concerned about your care options, or just want some more information on what your choices may be, this Directory can help. With information to help you understand your options, where to go for advice and how the paying for care system works, the Lancashire Care Services Directory can support you to make informed decisions.

The new edition of the independent publication and accompanying website give information on all aspects of arranging care and support in Lancashire. It includes how to stay independent for as long as possible, the different care and support options available and what to look for when choosing a care provider. It also offers guidance on important issues such as paying for care and what financial assistance may be available from the local authority. There are comprehensive listings of all registered care services throughout Lancashire including Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool, plus checklists to help you ask the right questions when visiting services.

For a free copy of the Lancashire Care Services Directory contact Care Choices on 01223 207770.The Directory will be available throughout the region from outlets including carers’ centres, hospitals, GP surgeries, Age UK and the libraries. It can be downloaded from www.carechoices.co.uk and is also available in spoken word.

Robert Chamberlain, Managing Director of the Directory’s publisher, Care Choices, commented: “This is an invaluable source of information for anyone considering short- or long-term care in Lancashire, and contains vital information to help people decide what type of care and support is best for them.

“With the current crisis in social care, finding a care service for yourself or a loved one that meets their needs and is affordable can be a daunting and unfamiliar task. This new independent Directory has been compiled to help people understand the process and offer them reassurance at every step of their journey.”

Care Choices is the UK’s largest independent publisher for social care and adults with additional needs. It is also the largest publisher of care directories for local authorities in England.

Lancaster Bus Services

Stagecoach in Cumbria and North Lancashire Revisions (STL leaflets) From 20 April 2020 Stagecoach in Cumbria and North Lancashire will be introducing a number of revisions to its local bus services.

Service 581 Kirkby Lonsdale – Ingleton – Settle 582 Lancaster – Hornby – Kirkby Lonsdale (KIL leaflet) From 6 April 2020 Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire Ltd will revise the timetable, reintroducing the Summer Sunday journeys.

Service 80/81 Lancaster – Hornby – Ingleton/Kirkby Lonsdale The route and timetable will be revised, adjusting most journeys to additionally serve Halton Low Road between Lancaster and Caton, with certain journeys extending to operate between Ingleton and Kirkby Lonsdale.

*POSTPONED*

I am sorry to have to inform you that the Safer Road Users Event due to be held on Thursday 26th March 2020 from 10:00 - 14:00 at Mere Brow Village Hall has been postponed due to the current advice from Public Health England.

Safer Travel Team