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ACTION FRAUD

Report to: 0300 1232040

What you need to know

  • Action Fraud has experienced an increase in the reporting of maliciouss calls and voicemails, to members of the public purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
  • Fraudsters are spoofing genuine HMRC telephone numbers to deceive their victims over the phone. The fraudsters state that as a result of the victim’s non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable for prosecution or other legal proceedings in order to settle the balance. The fraudsters suggest victims can avoid this, by arranging payment to be made immediately by methods such as bank transfer or by purchasing iTunes gift cards.
  • If the victim is hesitant or refuses to comply, the suspect makes a threat such as immediate arrest, sending bailiffs to the victim’s address or, in some cases, deportation.
  • Often, the period for which the tax is allegedly due is distant enough to guarantee the victim will have little, if any, paperwork or ability to verify the claims. Once the money is paid the suspects sever all contact with the victim.
  • In genuine cases, HMRC will initially make direct contact with you via post/letter and potentially follow up that letter with a phone call at a later date.
  • If HMRC contact you via telephone they will quote the reference number on the initial letter you should have received. HMRC will not discuss something you are not already aware of, like a tax investigation, and will NOT demand immediate payment.

It is vital that the public exercise caution when receiving messages or telephone calls of this nature.

What you need to do

  • Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information. Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and contact details), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Instead, contact the company directly using trusted methods such as a known email address or phone number.
  • Legitimate organisations wouldn’t ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using an iTunes gift card, or any other type of voucher. If you’re contacted by anyone that asks you to do this, you’re likely the target of a scam
  • Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.
  • Report Phishing attempts. If you receive a call, text or email of this nature and have not lost money, you can report this as phishing to Action Fraud
Message Sent By
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Ash Die Back Disease

You may have heard about Ash Die Back and be aware of the potential implications this has on tree stock across West Sussex. Please see information on our website about how West Sussex County Council plans to manage the impact, and what other woodland and tree owners can also do:  www.westsussex.gov.uk/ashdieback. If you have concerns about a specific Ash tree or about Ash Die Back in general please log an enquiry through the usual online channels: Report a problem with a road or pavement or raise a highways related enquiry or call 01243 642105.

Friends Of KGV Car Boot Sale

Saturday 4th May 2pm to 4pm

Village Spring Clean 2019

A big thank you to the 23 volunteers who scoured the outskirts of the village for litter on Saturday 9 March. We covered some 10 miles of verges and beat our record once again in the number of bags collected (I lost count at 50) car parts recovered and even a 2 x 1.5m sign left over from the aborted Velo South cycle event last September.

The weather was dry this year but windy, requiring the mastering of black bags as they fought  back in the wind.

B213 Bines Road all the way south to Bines bridge and north beyond Need’s bridge and again from the A24 East was cleared as well as the Star and Huffwood industrial estates, Littleworth Lane N of the Windmill, and Honeybridge Lane were all cleared of a year’s worth of litter. A new road covered this year was Stonehouse Lane off Littleworth Lane. Several regulars reported less litter on their patch than last year which is a promising sign.

We aim to make this an annual event for around the second Saturday of March so please make a note on your 2020 calendar and look out for the notices posted  on Notice Boards announcing the event.

Tim Smith

Before…..

….and after!

Police Property Action Fund

The Police Property Act Fund is made up of monies received by the police from the sale of found property and from property confiscated by order of court and then sold.

The main aim of the fund is to support local projects undertaken by voluntary/charitable organisations that solely benefit the communities of Sussex.

They will consider any applications from voluntary and charitable organisations and community groups within Sussex. A number of criteria must be met in order for a successful application to be made.

  • Each application needs to be supported by a Sussex Police officer or member of staff who has knowledge of the charity or organisation.
  • A maximum amount of £500 can be applied for by each organisation or charity.
  • An application will not be considered if a previous donation from us has been made within the past three years.
  • The decision to make a donation and the amount donated will depend on the number of applications being considered at any one time and the amount that is available in the fund at the time of the application.

Need contact details for Sussex Police?

See the Sussex Police contact poster

West Grinstead Parish Tidy 2019

Despite rain, 19 volunteers turned up to collect litter in West Grinstead parish last year. Let’s see if we can beat that number this year!

Over 40 bags were collected along with an assortment of car parts, empty drums and DIY waste.

This is now an annual event each March – contact Tim on 01403 710148 if you can help this year on Saturday 9 March between 10am and 2pm.

More Information here

St Catherine’s Hospice have some very exciting events coming up this year and we need your help to spread the word!

We have three walking events coming up: a 5 Peak Challenge to the Lake District in June 2019, a bespoke overseas trek across the Sahara Desert in March 2020 and our annual Midnight Walk in June 2019.

More information shortly.