The Police are asking motorists to take extra care with vehicle security after a number of thefts from cars in the North East Ipswich area:
- Always lock your car and shut all windows. Check the doors are locked every time you leave the vehicle, even if it is only for a few minutes.
- Remove any object from the vehicle. Thieves will break into cars for loose change in the dashboard, coats and sports bags left on the seats.
- Use the alarm if you have one.
- Try to park in a busy area with lighting.
- Report anything suspicious to police on 101.
DO NOT USE THIS LINK IN AN EMERGENCY OR IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE POLICE RESPONSE WHEN YOU SHOULD RING 999.
POLICE DIRECT TEAM
Suffolk Trading Standards is warning people to look out for scam letters which illefally use the Olympic and London 2012 logos and tell recipients they have won a prize of £525,000.
The letters claim that all recipients have to do is return a payment processing form, by fax, with their personal details to receive the full sum of money. However, these personal details are actually being forwarded to criminal gangs operating abroad.
Any information residents send to claim their non-existent prize is used to carry out identification theft. The letters use false names and addresses, usually od large office blocks, and '0207' telephone numbers purchased to give the impression they are based in London.
Suffolk Trading Standards is issuing the following advice and guidance:
- It is unlikely that London 2012 will be asking individuals to pay for goods or services, whether directly to it or through agents, other than ticket sales and official London 2012 merchandise. Therefore such lottery letters are almost certainly going to be bogus.
- Bogus Olympic information will typically use poor quality reproductions of the Olympic logos.
- Trading Standards do not know od any official lottery operators who ask for fees to collect winnings - any request for a fee payment is a good indication that someone is a fraud.
- Never respond to these lottery letters - this will only lead to further contact.
Colin Spence, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for public protection said: "Sadly, in the next few months, it is very likely that Olympic related scams will be on the increase. With this in mind, it is vital that people remain extra vigilant around this time. "Residents should nor be afraid to discard any suspicious letters. It is important to trust your instincts as if it sounds too good to be true, then is probably is."
Scams can be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.