Security information Companies

From: sue.gibson@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

To: undisclosed-recipients

Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 12:48 PM

Subject: Security information Companies 

Dear All, 

If any of your Neighbourhood Watch members are considering installing security systems there is some advice from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) that may be of assistance to homeowners in deciding which route to take.  I have copied the information and pasted it below which I hope you will find useful.  Please ensure that all your members are aware of this advice.

As always should you have any queries please let me know. 

Thank you
Kind regards
Sue Gibson
Force Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator
Partnerships & Neighbourhoods
Service Delivery Department
Hampshire Constabulary
0845 0454545 ext 603290
CRIMESTOPPERS: 0800 555111 

APPENDIX H

POLICE ADVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

SEEKING INFORMATION ON SECURITY COMPANIES 

To obtain information on companies who supply and install security systems such as Intruder Alarms / Personal Attack Alarms / CCTV systems etc., within your locality, we advise you contact the following Independent Inspectorate Bodies who will furnish you with the relevant details (the Police are not able to provide this information):  -

NSI (National Security Inspectorate)

Sentinel House, 5 Reform Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 8BY 
Tel: 01628 637512       Fax:  01628 773367      E-mail:  nsi@nsi.org.uk  Website: www.nsi.org.uk

SSAIB (Security Systems & Alarm Inspection Board)

Suite 3, 131 Bedford Street, North Shields, Tyne & Wear  NE29 6LA.
Tel:  0191 296 3242      Fax: 0191 296 2667      E-mail: ssaib@ssaib.co.uk        Website:  www.ssaib.org 

Independent Inspectorates are not-for-profit approval bodies who carry out inspection services for the security industry and protect customer interests. They themselves are governed by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), the sole accreditation service recognised by the Government. 

Please note - if you are also planning to invest in the type of security system that would receive automatic police response to its alarm activations, then only security companies ‘Approved’ by an Independent Inspectorate Body and who are Listed with the Police Force in your locality are permitted to offer this service. 

Once you have obtained details from an Independent Inspectorate Body of ‘Approved’ security companies, who install security systems in your locality to the required European/British Standards, compliant with the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Police Response to Security Systems Policy, we advise: - 

   1. Before disclosing personal security details, check the address and credentials of the company and proof of identify from their representative.
   2. You obtain written quotations from at least two security companies.
   3. Ask if the security company representative can provide you with a list of police rules for occupiers of ‘monitored’ alarmed premises and also written confirmation that they are currently registered with the Police Force in your area, for the transmission of alarm activations from new installations?
   4. You ensure that the quotation specifies that the installation will be to European/British Standards for that relevant security system. Also, does it include the terms of maintenance and monitoring contracts?
   5. Does the company operate a 24-hour call-out service and emergency attendance within four hours?
   6. Is the installation of a security system a requirement of my insurance company and if so, is the security company acceptable to my insurer? 

PLEASE NOTE - When investing in Security Systems for your home or business it’s not advisable to deal with Cold Callers or telesales enquiries – you should avoid doing doorstep or telephone business.  Many Traders who call at your door are honest and genuine, however, some are not and can be extremely persuasive. Examples of bad practices associated with cold-calling and door-step selling include - pressure selling, unclear contracts, over priced security systems and unduly raising the fear of crime. If members of the public have serious doubts about the legality or sales techniques being employed by this type of security company, they should contact the Police or Trading Standards for advice. 

For further information on intruder alarm advice for domestic properties visit www.securedbydesign.com  and  www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/watch

The following two Microsoft Word documents have been received from the Police:

Home challenge - How to protect your home from intruders.

Operation Nemesis - Targeting burglars

This one is pretty slick since they provide Y O U with all the information, except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.  One of our employees was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called on Thursday from "MasterCard".  The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London ?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"  You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security.  You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"  Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.  You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 was charged to our card.  Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.  What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening .  Please pass this on to all your family and friends. By informing each other, we protect each other.

We have received reports from the North of the county of cold callers purporting to be from a charity, targeting older people and asking for bank details.  Whilst, at this stage, we have no evidence that they are not who they say they are, we are concerned about the persistent and at times aggressive nature of these callers.  Should you hear of such incidents we would be grateful if you could pass on the details to us.

If at any time a resident feels threatened by a caller who is on the doorstep or returning for payment they should call our Quick Response Team on 01962 833666.

Community Projects Team
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

Dear All,

I have received the email hghlighted in blue from DCI Pearson of Territorial Operations, Hampshire Constabulary. 

Dear Partner Agencies

This briefing is designed to raise awareness of our partner agencies and request extra vigilance and high visibility amongst patrolling staff.

You will be aware that the national counter terrorism threat level has been raised to CRITICAL. This means that an attack is expected imminently and indicates an extremely high level of threat to the UK.

Recent events:

On Friday 29th June two Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) were discovered in London, neither of which detonated.  On Saturday 30th June a vehicle was driven into the doors of the passenger terminal at Glasgow International Airport.

The key features of ALL of these VBIEDs was the presence in the vehicles of gas cylinders and containers full of petrol.

There is a significant possibility that there other attacks of a similar nature could be attempted anywhere in the UK.  It is also apparent that whilst some of those involved have been detained, there are likely to be others involved who have not yet been identified and traced.

It is clear from recent events that intervention by police officers and members of the public have prevented serious loss of life. It is therefore vital that all staff engaged either on dedicated counter terrorist patrols or carrying out normal policing duties, do so positively, and with a view that their actions could genuinely prevent a terrorist attack.

It is requested that the key contacts in your agencies are briefed in respect of these issues and asked to make sure their staff are patrolling with a heightened vigilance. Any suspicious incidents should be reported to the Hampshire Constabulary Control room using the 0845 045 4545 number unless an emergency response is required, when 999 should be used.

Please could you ensure that ALL your members are informed that anything they see or hear that is suspicious is reported IMMEDIATELY.

Please confirm back to me that members have been made aware of the situation - it is vital that we work together on this.

Thank you for your help.  Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Sue

Sue Gibson
Force Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator
Community Safety Department
Hampshire Constabulary
0845 0454545 ext 603290

Details of the scheme which has been running since 2000 can be found on the web site.  The scheme has over 1750 members and networks across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and nationally.

The scheme works in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary through its voluntary Equine Liaison Officer scheme.

The aims and objective of the scheme is crime prevention and reduction within the equine community but using the membership to extend  beyond to other individuals.

Chief Inspector Neil Sherrington, Deputy Commander of North East Hampshire, said: "The generous donation from Neighbourhood Watch means there will always be a bike available for PCSO Porter to use to be a visible and reassuring presence on his beat, which can take many hours to patrol on foot. He may also be able to respond to reports of minor antisocial behaviour more quickly, rather than us having to take a police officer away from emergency response duties.

It's really good to see the community joining with us in this way to contribute to something which can only improve our visibility in the area, deterring crime and antisocial behaviour".

Joan Berry, from Blackwater Neighbourhood Watch, said: "PCSO Porter has become very important to our community and we raised the money simply by asking for donations from scheme members. I hope that this will inspire more Neighbourhood Watch groups to get together and do something like this, and I would also like to thank the staff at Halfords for their guidance and support".

A campaign to alert public to Identity Theft and various prevention measures. As detailed on Home Office website-

http://www.identity-theft.org.uk/

Where you and I can be conned out of our money - are estimated to cost us in the UK *1 billion per year…

There are hundreds of types - fake lotteries, prize draws, incredible schemes to make money quickly, fake investment plans, work from home schemes…the list goes on.

To protect yourself against scams - stop and think about what you are being offered and, above all, be sceptical .

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you discover a scam or have been a victim of one, alert your family and friends and report it to the police, your local trading standards service or your local citizens advice bureau.

The people behind the scams want to steal your money - don't let them get away with it.

The Office of Fair Trading is running a campaign on how to recognise scams and avoid falling for them. Call 0800 389 3158 for a free leaflet or go to http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/Scams/default.htm for further information or to download a copy.