Archive for category: News

Happy Friday all! On the final day of our fraud awareness push, we’re highlighting

 

Rogue traders

 

Rogue traders offer gardening work or maintenance services but the quality of work is often substandard, unnecessary or overpriced. They also use persuasive sales techniques to encourage people into making hasty decisions.

 

Prevention:

 

• Always ask for references from recent clients
• Get a quotation from more than one trader
• Take your time, don’t be hurried into making a decision. Legitimate callers won’t mind if you ask them to come back later while you consider your options
• Speak with family and friends to get their opinion on whether you need work doing on your home

 

For more advice on all the frauds we’ve focused on this week and more, visit our website and stay safe from the scammers!

Day three of our scam awareness mission sees us looking at…

 

Quishing scams

Quishing, also known as QR code phishing, involves tricking someone into scanning a phony QR code with their phone or device. The QR code then takes the user to a fraudulent website that might download malware or ask for sensitive information. QR codes are often found on things like parking machines, charging points, emails, even restaurant menus and you may well use them even more this time of year as you dash between car parks to purchase presents and meet up with friends in cafes and restaurants.

 

Prevention: 

• Check… if the QR is on a poster in a public area, always check whether it appears to have been stuck over the poster, window or billboard. If the sign or notice is laminated and the QR code is under the lamination or part of the original print, chances are it’s more likely to be genuine
• If in doubt… download the app from the official Google or Apple store or search the website on your phone’s internet browser, rather than scanning a QR code to take you there. It may take longer, but it’s more secure
• Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t

 

For more advice about all kinds of fraud, visit our website

Yesterday marked the start of international fraud awareness week, and we want to make you aware of some of our most “frequent frauds” to help keep you and your loved ones safe from the scammers.

Every day this week, at 9am, we will send you details of a different fraud and how to prevent yourself falling victim.

 

First up, romance fraud

It might not be Valentine’s Day just yet, but people look for love all year round, and when they do, they often turn to online dating. Sadly, romance fraudsters can always be relied upon to ruin the fun. Dating and romance scammers build a bond with someone online, leading the victim to believe they are in a real relationship, before asking for money, usually for an emotive reason.

 

Prevention:

• Never send money to someone you haven’t met
• Always use trusted dating sites to speak with a new love interest and be wary of anyone who wants to take the conversation away from the platform too quickly
• Beware of the use of fake photos and videos – the person you are talking to or looking at may not be who they say they are. A quick Google reverse image search will show you if their profile picture has been used before

 

For more advice about all kinds of fraud, visit our website.

Cambourne to Cambridge busway application submitted

We have applied for a Transport and Work Act Order to the Department for Transport (DfT) for a new busway, travel hub and path for walkers and cyclists linking Cambourne to Cambridge.

The scheme would connect existing and new communities to the west of Cambridge with the city via the new Bourn Airfield development, Hardwick, Coton and the West Cambridge site. The new travel hub at Scotland Farm would be easy to access from the A428 and help car drivers switch to a bus before they hit congestion into the city.

Our scheme would give more travel choices, making it quicker, easier and more reliable to get to where you need to go.

The submission follows four rounds of public consultation as well as extensive community and stakeholder engagement on the route since 2015.

You can view the application documents on www.greatercambridge.org.uk/cambourne-cambridge-twao

Any objections to, or other representations about, the proposals in the application should be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport c/o Transport Infrastructure Planning Unit, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR or via email to ku.vo1779274713g.tfd1779274713@erut1779274713curts1779274713arfni1779274713trops1779274713nart1779274713.

An objection or other representation MUST

(i)          be received by the Secretary of State on or before 8 January 2025,

(ii)         be made in writing (whether sent by post or e-mail),

(iii)        state the grounds of the objection or other representation,

(iv)        indicate who is making the objection or other representation, and

(v)         give an address to which correspondence in relation to the objection or other representation may be sent (if you are sending your objection or other representation by e-mail, please provide a postal address).

The DfT will review all objections or representations received and likely call for a public inquiry sometime in 2025.

For all enquiries please email ku.gr1779274713o.egd1779274713irbma1779274713creta1779274713erg@o1779274713lleh1779274713 or phone: 01223 699906

Stay connected with the Greater Cambridge Partnership