Free Call Blockers

Are you still receiving scam or nuisance calls?  The Friends Against Scams Team have some call blockers to give away for people who are receiving scam or nuisance calls.  There is an application page to fill in which can be done directly by the person being scammed or on behalf of the individual receiving the nuisance calls.  The call blockers are free, but there is a limited number available.  This is the link:  www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk/CallBlocker

Green Deal Grants - be alert

Green Deal grants for affordable warmth measures may be available to residents in their homes, depending on eligibility criteria. Trading Standards have recently received enquiries from the Hyndburn, Burnley and Fylde areas of Lancashire about the legitimacy of such free offers.

Never feel rushed into agreeing to have work done. Do your research, ensure you have the name and address details of the trader, where possible check the business online, check reviews on line, and make sure the trader does have an association with any logos and claims made in their advertising. Make sure the product they are offering is right for you and your property. Sometimes services can be free, sometimes you may need to contribute – make sure you are aware of any additional costs and that the price is made clear at the start.

The Green Deal ORB is responsible for maintaining a register of all authorised Green Deal Providers, Certification Bodies, Assessors and Installers, www.gdorb.decc.gov.uk.

Autumn Show

On Saturday 19th October, Bolton-le-Sands Floral and Horticultural Society will be holding its 72nd Autumn Show from 2.00pm until 4.00pm in the Community Centre.

Scam Tesco text

If you receive a text from Tesco saying that you have won an iphone, beware, it is a scam, do not click on the link. A supermarket will never randomly contact you for information in exchange for a prize. Never click on any links and never give your personal details.

'Safe Account' Scam

Beware of receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be calling from your bank, or from police fraud investigators.

The bogus caller states there is an issue with the victim's bank account and advises them to move their money to a ‘safe account’. The victim will often be told that bank staff are suspected of being involved in a fraud which deters them from seeking advice in their local branch. Often the victims have no reason to doubt the fraudsters as they appear to know the victims personal details. The fraudsters will urge victims to act quickly.

Your bank and the police will never ask you to transfer your money into a ‘safe account’. If you receive such a phone call, end the call immediately.

DVLA email scam

Be wary of an email scam claiming that your recent online car tax payment has failed. The email threatens the driver could be fined £1000 if they do not rectify the alleged issue immediately. The scam features DVLA branding and provides a link for the driver to enter their banking details.

The DVLA would never contact you by email or text. Drivers are reminded to only use the gov.uk website when dealing with car tax matters.

Heritage Walks

Thank you to all those who took part in the Heritage Walks led by Robert Swain.  These were to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the opening of the Lancaster Canal from Preston right through to Kendal, and were under the auspices of the Bolton-le-Sands Parish Council.  Amazingly, none of the walks had to be cancelled owing to bad weather, although it was a close run thing one day as there was a thunderstorm not very long before the walk was due to start, but two stalwart ladies turned up for it, so it took place.

Robert was delighted at how many people came on the walks in total, far more than he had expected, and he considered them a great success.  The collections at the end of each walk raised a grand total of £199.86 for Lancaster Canal Trust.  In addition, there was a generous donation for Canal & River Trust for their work on the Lancaster Canal.

The assorted dogs that came on the walks seemed to enjoy them as well!