Message from Gordon Currie, Police Constable, Dunblane Police Office

There has been a significant rise in frauds being committed throughout the Forth Valley area.  The most common frauds are detailed below along with information on how to protect yourself and a link to action fraud which has some great information, advice and can be used to report frauds. http://www.actionfraud.police.uk

HMRC and Apple Gift Card Fraud The fraudsters are using the following contact methods to defraud people:

• Voicemails: Fraudsters are leaving victims automated voicemails stating they owe HMRC unpaid taxes. When victims call back on the number provided, they are told that there is a warrant out for their arrest, unless they make payment via iTunes Vouchers.
• Spoofed calls: Fraudsters are cold calling victims using a spoofed 0300 200 3300 number and convincing them that they owe unpaid tax to HMRC.
• Text messages: Fraudsters are sending text messages requesting victims to urgently call back on the number provided. When victims call back, they are told that there is a case being built against them for an outstanding debt and they must pay immediately.

Fraudsters are using iTunes gift cards to collect money from victims because they can be easily redeemed and sold on. The scammers don’t need the physical card to redeem the value and instead get victims to read out the serial code on the back over the phone to them. Action Fraud has been working with Apple and HMRC to warn people about this type of fraud.

How to protect yourself

• HMRC will never use text message to inform about a tax rebate or penalty.
• HMRC will never ask for any payment in the form of iTunes Vouchers.
• HMRC will only post out a P800 tax calculations, in circumstances of under or overpayment of taxes, if you’re employed or get a pension.
• Payments using iTunes Vouchers may not be recoverable.
• Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should not trust the number you see on your telephone display as proving the caller is genuinely calling from HMRC.
• Be protective of divulging other personal details such as National Insurance number, passport number and bank details over the telephone.
• If you receive an unexpected call, whereby the caller requests an advance fee in the form of iTunes gift cards, the call should immediately be terminated.

Gordon Currie, Police Constable, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Ward Officer. Dunblane Police Office FK15 0EY
Website: www.scotland.police.uk  Twitter: @policescotland Facebook: www.facebook.com/policescotland  https://scotland.police.uk/yourviewcounts

Dunblane's Elaine Hopley arrived in Antigua on Sunday 12 February 2017 having spent nearly 2 months at sea competing in the 2,000 mile Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Her time of 59 days, 19 hours and 14 minutes makes her the fastest woman to cross the Atlantic solo in the 30-year history of the race, dubbed the world’s toughest row. 

Follow Elaine on Twitter

8 February 2017 : Elaine has only 300 miles to go Read the Stirling Observer Article

1 February 2017 : Elaine nears Atlantic race record bid 

4 January 2017 : Update on Dunblane rower Elaine Hopley as she rows the Atlantic 

7 December 2016 : Dunblane rower Elaine Hopley all set to take on the Atlantic in tiny boat. Elaine will take on the 3000 mile journey across the ocean as she aims to become the fastest woman to solo-row the ocean - based on an article in Stirling Observer by Gareth Iwan Jones - 7 December 2016

Dunblane rower Elaine Hopley has arrived in Spain as she prepares to tackle the Atlantic. She flew to the tiny island of la Gomera at the weekend, where she has been reunited with the 22 foot boat she will undertake the daunting 3000 mile journey in. The boat was transported to the isle near Tenerife last month, and Elaine will now spend the next week working on getting the vessel ready for the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which begins on December 14. She hopes to arrive in the Caribbean island of Antigua in under 70 days, becoming the fastest woman to solo-row across the ocean. She has now said farewell to her family, and said that she has to put the emotions of leaving them at home out of her head come race time. “I’ll have to get the boat ready when I arrive, and being a solo rower, I need to make sure I meet and speak to all the other teams so we can help each other,” said Elaine.

Competitors in the challenge must purchase all items from an inventory that contains a host of high-tech safety equipment. They must carry two radios at all times, with race organisers able to track their position to within a 400 metre radius of the 3,000 mile route and support vessels nearby to offer assistance. Elaine has spent more than three years fundraising for the challenge, and hopes during the trans-ocean row to net thousands of pounds for Alzheimers Scotland in memory of her late mother Janice, who suffered from early-onset dementia.