A warning has been issued by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) about fake or “phishing” emails sent out by fraudsters

Customers have to renew their claims by 31 July – or their payments may be stopped.

In the run-up to the tax credits renewal deadline often sees an increase in such attacks, and in May 2011 a record 26,301 phishing attempts were reported to HMRC.

The scam email usually starts with the sentence such as “we have reviewed your tax return and our calculations of your last years accounts show a tax refund is due”

The phishing emails often promise a rebate and, if taxpayers click on the link, they are taken to a cloned replica of the HMRC website. The recipient is asked to provide credit or debit card details or other sensitive information such as passwords. Fraudsters then try to take money from the account.

Victims risk having money stolen from their bank accounts, or their personal details being sold on to criminal gangs for identify fraud.

During last year’s tax credits renewals period, from April to July, nearly 94,000 phishing emails were reported by customers. Even though HMRC helped shut down more than 360 scam websites during the period, others continue to be created.

Steve Lamey, Director General for Benefits and Credits, said:

“We only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. We don’t use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances. Anyone who receives an email claiming to be from HMRC should send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.”

HMRC works with other law enforcement agencies in the UK and overseas to investigate and shut down phishing attacks. Scam networks have been closed in a number of countries, including Austria, Mexico, the UK, South Korea, the USA, Thailand and Japan.

HMRC advises customers to:

•Check the advice published on the HMRC website see if an email received is listed.
•Forward suspicious emails to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete them.
•Do not click on websites or links contained in suspicious emails, nor to open attachments.
•Follow advice from Get Safe Online.

If people believe that they have been the victim of an email scam, they should report the matter to their bank/ card issuer as soon as possible. Anyone in doubt should check with the HMRC fraud attempts page.

To report a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use their online fraud reporting tool.

Payday lender Wonga has been ordered to stop aggressive debt collection tactics or face a £50,000 fine. In some cases it has accused debt-ridden customers of being fraudsters for paying late.

Read more at bit.ly/KiTNrx

The promise commits the force to supporting people with learning disabilities and standing by them when they need help. The promise consists of 10 key points which, when adhered to, will ensure that the force delivers a quality service to some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Chief Constable Tim Hollis said:

“Humberside Police officers and staff have been working with Mencap and other learning disability groups for many years, and by signing this promise we are cementing this relationship and demonstrating our continued commitment to those groups and the individuals they support.”

Prior to signing up to the promise, Humberside Police has consulted with various groups both to inform them of the plans but also to gather feedback from them on the best way to implement the promise. A training programme for staff is to be implemented which will enhance the understanding of law and procedures and should also better equip staff to communicate with those who have learning difficulties and assist in distinguishing between this and mental ill health.

Mr Hollis added:

“Many of the aspects of the promise are part of everyday policing which we have been working on for many years, others focus specifically on those with learning disabilities and their families and carers. We look forward to working with the public in implementing the Mencap promise and providing an improved level of service which will contribute to stamping out hate crime in the Humberside Police area.”

The Mencap Stand By Me – Police Promise is shown below: We want all police services to promise to stand by people with a learning disability to end hate crime. We are asking the police to commit to ten promises that will make a huge difference for the victims of disability hate crime. By signing-up to the promise, we pledge to:

1. Make sure that information is available and presented in a suitable form.
2. Get better evidence and increase convictions by allowing more time for interviews, particularly where the victim has difficulty communicating.
3. Understand how to identify if someone has a learning disability.
4. Listen to, respect and involve families, carers and support staff of disabled people.
5. Challenge discriminatory attitudes and language among fellow officers.
6. Ensure that victims are kept up to date with the progress of the case once they have reported a crime.
7. Recognise that disability hate crime is as harmful as other types of hate crime.
8. Don’t label disability hate crime as anti-social behaviour – identify the crime and deal with it.
9. Hold regular beat meetings and ensure they are open to disabled people.
10. Display the Stand by me promises where everyone can see them.

Mike Crockart has started a campaign to bring an end to nuisance telephon calls. He writes on his website:

I have written a joint letter to Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and Lord McNally, Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, to demand that the legislation around cold-calling via people’s home and mobile phones be strengthened and more rigorously applied.

The joint letter highlights the fact that consumers are currently let down because where responsibility lies in unclear. OFCOM is responsible for the Telephone Preference Service, but the Information Commissioner regulates the protection and sharing of data.

At present, once you have registered your phone number with the telephone preference service, a ban comes into effect that forbids cold-calling you over the phone. Recorded messages, however, are covered by other legislation (Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003) and unsolicited SMS messages don’t appear to be covered at all.

I have called for the Information Commissioner’s powers to be strengthened to take in all forms of unsolicited contact and for there to be a single simple point of contact for any individual wishing to protect their privacy whether from unwanted faxes, mail, phone calls or texts. I have also asked that OFCOM’s responsibility to maintain a register of people who do not wish to receive sales calls is more rigorously applied.

People should be able to guarantee their privacy in a simple and effective way. The present situation where responsibility lies with OFCOM, the Information Commissioner and various ‘preferencing services’ is merely a charter for unscrupulous companies to ride roughshod over the regulations with very little chance of any charges being pursued.

I’ve lodged ten separate complaints with the Information Commissioner relating to unwanted text and phone marketing calls I’ve received just in the last few weeks. I urge you to do the same and to let me know so I can add them to the list I’m now compiling. You can get in touch with me here.

People shouldn’t have to put up with this menace which puts many vulnerable and elderly people at risk of fraud just as much as if the crook or pushy salesman was turning up at their door.

Many of the big energy companies have recently stopped cold-calling in person thanks to a strong and vocal local campaign. I urge people to get involved again so we can stamp out these nuisance calls once and for all.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced on Monday that there will be up to £10million of additional support for Pupil Premium children who leave primary school without Level 4 literacy – the expected level.

In a keynote speech to teachers and school leaders, he said that the Education Endowment Foundation will be awarding the money to pilot projects to help disadvantaged pupils make the transition from primary to secondary school. The money will be targeted at struggling Year 7s from deprived homes.

“How can a child start secondary school unable to read with confidence?” declared Nick. “That is a basic building block of a good education and no child should begin the race so far behind the starting line. We need to do everything we can to help these children through this transition to get them up to speed.

“That is a responsibility the government takes extremely seriously. And I can confirm that the Education Endowment Foundation will shortly be inviting groups of local schools, in the areas that suffer most with this problem, to bid for extra funds for struggling Year 7s from deprived homes to help them get their reading and writing up to scratch. Extra ‘catch up cash’, if you like.

“We envisage that schools will want to use it for small catch up classes, or one-to-one tuition, or vouchers for literacy tuition that parents can spend. We will run a proper evaluation, sharing what works with all schools not just those areas taking part in these pilots. It’s likely this kind of targeted support is the best way to crack this problem – next year we’ll know.

“Of course, we hope as few pupils as possible need it, thanks to the Pupil Premium. And I know primary and secondary schools up and down the country are determined to make this work.

“Some are using the money for breakfast clubs; homework clubs; or to provide one-to-one-tuition. Some are funding counselling services, so troubled kids are in the right place, emotionally, to learn. Some are using it for educational visits to places like museums: the sort of experiences middle class children take for granted but poorer child might rarely enjoy.”

Nick also announced that he wants to “strike a deal between the Coalition government and our schools and teachers. Teachers who help these children unlock the doors that otherwise hold them back … they are the key to an open and fair society … the key to the opportunity Britain I am determined we build.”

The best teachers will be offered incentives to work in schools that have large numbers of disadvantaged pupils. The government will ask the School Teachers Review Body to look at giving other schools the same flexibility Academies currently have to use pay to hold on to the best teachers.

Also, from next year, there will be Pupil Premium Awards for the 50 schools that do the best to boost the performance of their poorest pupils and narrow the gap – with cash prizes of up to £10,000 for the best of the best.

Commenting on today’s research from Which? into payday lending, Sarah Brooks, Director of Financial Services at Consumer Focus said:

“This research throws up some extremely troubling findings and poses many uncomfortable questions about the growing payday loan sector. We have long held concerns about the behaviour of some payday lenders and whether consumers are losing out because this industry is not regulated strongly enough.

“Our research in 20101showed problems with inadequate affordability checks and borrowers being offered multiple new loans or roll-overs on existing loans. Which?’s findings suggest that problems have worsened in this industry and that more borrowers are finding themselves caught in debt traps. Millions are turning to these loans in the current economic climate and it is usually those on lower incomes that suffer most.

“This work is timely given the OFT’s compliance review of payday lenders. There is clearly a continuing problem with payday loans and this should give further incentive, if any is needed, for the OFT to act quickly to protect consumers from irresponsible lending.”

Next week is Dementia Awareness Week and people in North East Lincolnshire are being urged to Remember the Person.

People in our area are living longer than ever before. However, as our local population gets older, long term health conditions like dementia are having an impact on a growing number of families.

There are currently 617 people in North East Lincolnshire who are registered with their GP as having dementia. However, many people remain undiagnosed and national estimates suggest there will be up to 2,000 people with dementia symptoms in the area.

The over 65 population in North East Lincolnshire is expected to increase by 38% from 2008 to 2025 with a corresponding increase of 52% in the incidence of dementia.

Dementia Awareness Week, which starts on Sunday, aims to increase understanding of the condition and address misconceptions. At the end of the week, there will be an opportunity to give your views on how you feel dementia services should be provided in North Lincolnshire.

Early intervention and the right support can improve mental health, enhance the quality of life and enable people with dementia to live as independently as possible for longer.

Between the 20th and 26th May six local organizations are putting on more than 20 events to raise awareness of dementia. These include stands in Freshney place, Reminiscence Pods, Talks and Tea Dances. For full information about the planned events please download our full guide from here.

The theme of Dementia Awareness Week this year is ‘Remember the person’ and everyone is being encourage to learn a little about dementia so they can see beyond someone’s diagnosis.

The following five things are what everyone should know about dementia:
1. It’s not a natural part of growing old.
2. It’s caused by diseases of the brain. The most common of these is Alzheimer’s.
3. It’s not just about losing your memory – it can affect thinking, communicating and doing everyday tasks.
4. It’s possible to live well with it.
5. There’s more to a person than the dementia.

Remember the Person.

The Trading Standards Institute is urging scam victims to speak out to help stop the ever-growing wave of con artists.

A tide of mass marketed scams such as fake lottery wins is having a devastating effect on the lives of millions of people in the UK, warns TSI. It wants people to ‘turn them in and turn the tide’ during the Scams Awareness Month in May.

Unscrupulous scammers often target elderly or vulnerable adults, tricking them into revealing their bank details or paying upfront fees with the lure of huge rewards. Victims can find themselves on the receiving end of wave after wave of letters, emails and phone calls aimed at parting them from their cash, and even after they realise they have been cheated out of their life savings, many people do not report the crime as they are too embarrassed to tell anyone.

The scammers are left free to carry on duping more and more victims, getting away with an estimated total of more than £73 billion a year. The clear message from TSI as it launches Scams Awareness Month is ‘Turn them in and turn the tide’.

Working in partnership with Citizens Advice and Action Fraud – the national fraud and internet crime reporting and advice centre – trading standards teams across the country are encouraging anyone receiving scam mailings, or friends and family of anyone they believe is a victim of scam mailings, to speak up.

Louise Baxter, chair of the TSI Consumer Education Liaison Group, which is co-ordinating the campaign said:

“The mailings received in this year’s ‘scamnesty’ will be analysed and the information shared with partner enforcement agencies in the UK and abroad. This will help us crack down on the senders and their networks, and enable us to help victims of scams directly, giving them tools to deal with this problem”

As scammers use ever more sophisticated tactics and materials, an increasing percentage of people targeted are falling victim to crime. The most common types of scam include fake lotteries, prize draws and sweepstakes, advance fees and money transfers, ticketing, home working and career opportunities, health and slimming miracles, pay in advance credit, and investment opportunities.

Peter Wilson, Director of Action Fraud, said:

“An essential part of stopping fraudsters preying on vulnerable people is to make sure these incidents are reported to Action Fraud. Whether you’ve lost money or not, we want to know what’s happened. All information is good information when it comes to tracking down those responsible for the network of scams that continue to plague people, particularly the elderly, daily.”

Another important aim of May’s campaign is to help everyone recognise the warning signs and have the confidence to seek advice or simply reject approaches.

People with elderly or vulnerable relatives are being urged to be extra-vigilant. An increase in mail, unusual payments or bank transactions, or more incoming telephone calls than normal to a parent, grandparent or other vulnerable adultcould be a sign that scammers are at work.

Ron Gainsford, Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute, said:

“Time and again we hear from trading standards of yet another of these distressing stories about vulnerable adults preyed upon by cruel, greedy people, and we fight to find ways to protect these victims. It is challenging because we cannot interfere with human rights and individual choices, but it is vital that we are all aware that such scams are taking place, and how, through the post and internet, they get into victims’ homes and lives.

“The May edition of our house magazine, TS Today, features just such a case where thanks to a last minute trading standards intervention, an elderly victim wasn’t scammed out his house – the very roof over his head.

“TSI supports the Think Jessica campaign run by Marilyn Baldwin, whose mother was scammed out of thousands.”

Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy said:

“There are a lot of rogues and chancers looking to make a quick buck by ripping off others. It’s only by working together that we will crack down on these con artists and stamp out scams for good.

“Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of a scam can get help from Citizens Advice, either by going to their local bureau or calling our consumer service phone line.”

People are also being encouraged to remember the following tips:

• Stop, think and be sceptical. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is.
• Do not be rushed into sending off money to someone you do not know, however plausible they might sound and even where an approach is personalised.
• Ask yourself how likely it is that you have been especially chosen for this offer – thousands of other people will probably have received the same offer.
• Think about how much money you could lose from replying to a potential scam – it’s not a gamble worth taking.
• If you are unsure of an offer, speak to family or friends and seek advice before sending any money or giving out any banking or credit card details.

Scams can be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk or to the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 040506. During May in many areas suspicious letters can also be handed in at libraries.

Commenting on the official fuel poverty figures published by the Government today, Audrey Gallacher, Director of Energy at Consumer Focus, said:

“Today’s figures show a dip in fuel poverty levels in 2010 reflecting lower energy prices. But as the average annual bill has risen by over £150 since then, many more people are now affected. As Government estimates for 2012 fuel poverty levels do not include price rises in late 2011, these figures are also likely to underestimate the current problem.Consumer Focus

“It is a major concern that so many people are struggling to afford their energy bills. Millions of families, older people and disabled people, living on low incomes, will be facing tough daily decisions on what essentials they cut back on to make ends meet.

“Current Government plans are not sufficient to tackle the scale of this problem. This is clearly demonstrated by the more than fifty per cent cut in energy efficiency help for the homes of the poorest households in England when fuel poverty levels are on the rise.

“Part of the reason why consumer bills are rising is to fund measures to make our energy supply cleaner and more secure. But our bills will also include ‘green taxes’ which just go straight to the exchequer, not to improve the energy market or to make Britain more energy efficient. Some of this extra revenue could go a very long way to plug the funding gap in providing help to those who need it most.”

The Minister for Employment today has welcomed further signs of improvement to the labour market.

New figures published by the Office for National Statistics show another rise in employment, up 105,000 to 29.23m (ILO measure). Employment has now been rising since last autumn. This is complemented by another fall in unemployment, down by 45,000 on the quarter, to 2.63 million.

There has also been a fall in the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, down 13,700 between March and April 2012. Following a revision to the figures published last month, there was also a fall of 5,400 between February and March. This is despite welfare reforms such as Incapacity Benefit reassessment that are leading to more people who previously claimed other benefits moving onto JSA.

Today’s figures also show signs of improvement in youth unemployment. The number of 16 to 24-year-olds who have left full-time education and are seeking work is now 707,000, down 24,000 on the quarter. The number of full-time students looking for a job is 314,000. This comes at the same time as the Department for Work and Pensions releases figures showing almost 50,000 18 to 24 year olds have undertaken a work experience placement since January 2011.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said:

“These figures are a welcome step in the right direction. For a number of months now employment has been growing and this is starting to feed through into improving unemployment figures. However, we still face significant international uncertainty so we need to hold firm on our current economic strategy and continue to do everything we can to ensure unemployment continues to fall.”