2011 Census

Dear Coordinator,

Please be aware of the upcoming Census 2011. If this census is completed and returned in a reasonable time then residents will receive no further contact.

However, it is worth noting that if people fail to return their census forms then a team of census collectors are being employed to approach addresses that have not returned their completed questionnaires to ensure data is collected. It is compulsory that the census be completed so they will be following up on any missing questionnaires.

I am contacting the local home watch coordinators to ask them if they can make members aware of the upcoming census (via forwarding email or word of mouth). Please encourage members to assist any elderly or vulnerable friends/neighbours or relatives in ensuring that their census forms are completed and returned. We are keen to encourage as many people to return census questionnaires to avoid them being visited by a collector as we are conscious that understandably, many people are concerned / have been warned about opening their doors to unknown doorstep callers.

The below are some key points to share with members about the collection of Census Questionnaires:

Residents who return their completed questionnaires promptly (before 6th April) will not be contacted by the census field staff
All census staff will carry an ID card with a photo, logos (2011 census logo & Office of National Statistics logo) and hologram that they should actively show to householders. They may ask for name and number of residents, but they will never ask for specific details (like credit card details, bank account info etc).
Residents will not be asked to leave their questionnaires on the doorstep for collection
Residents can request a pre-arranged appointment with a collector, via the census helpline (on the front of their questionnaires)
Close the door if you are unsure.
Phone the census helpline if you have any queries or concerns - 0300 0201 101 or check for more information www.census.gov.uk

Irish lottery e-mail scam

Please be aware of an email that a coordinator has forwarded me recently. It purports to be from the Irish lottery and suggests that someone has won the prize due to their email address being drawn out. I anticipate that most people (particular home watch members) will see through this email and will not provide any details. However, I thought it an interesting one to share as it is a new tactic - trying to suggest that your email address could be used in a prize sweep - so hinting that anyone with an email address could in theory win without being aware that they are even entered. It also tries to obtain some different information from other emails and is asking for things such as scanned copies of your identity. Although it isn't the most smooth or believable email, it is one just to be mindful of, especially in terms of the above points.

As always, never part with your personal details to people who cold call at the door, via the telephone or via email. Treat anyone who is trying to obtain any aspect of your personal data in this manner as suspicious.

CONGRATULATION !!!
IRISH INTERNATIONAL ONLINE PROMO
22 Garden Close, Stamford,Lincs,
PE9 2YP, London United Kingdom.
Reply to: irish1928@hotmail.com

Your email just won you the Year 2011 IRISH INTERNATIONAL ONLINE PROMOTION which is the sum of 700,000.00 Great British Pounds through a computer email draw with a ticket number Tv345678U.For claims,contact;

Mr ROONEY JAMES
Email:irish1928@hotmail.com
Tel:+447014220061

For Claims, We require you fill this form and return to your claims agent immediately.

Name(In Full):...........
sex:...........
Age:........
Address:........
Phone Number (Home):.............
Mobile:.......
Office Number:..........
State:..........
Country:..........
Present Occupation:.........
Scanned Copy Of your Identity:.........

Sincerely yours,
Mrs Irene Woods
ONLINE CO-ORDINATOR

Cash Machine Scam

A fellow coordinator has forwarded me over something that he has received that has been issued by Essex Police in relation to a Cash Machine Scam.

The attached link is directly from Essex Police's website and contains a description and video footage of the scam that they are raising awareness about.

It is important to stress that having checked with a colleague in Cheshire Police's intelligence unit, there is no evidence of this scam being operated in this area at this time. However, he believes it is beneficial to share with local Home Watch coordinators in particular just to make them aware, should any members mention anything of this nature to them. The article also contains some general crime prevention tips that can be considered when using any cash machine in general.

As always, it is at your discretion as to whether you choose to pass this on to members directly. I know some coordinators have a number of elderly neighbours and try to strike a balance between what they send out from the alerts so as not to cause undue concern, whereas other coordinators prefer to send out as much as possible. Whatever suits your scheme and members is fine.

Regards

Home Watch Desk

http://www.essex.police.uk/default.aspx?page=9032