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Southport and  Mersey Reporter -  Your free online newspaper service covering the Merseyside region - (Greater Liverpool).
Covering the news in and around Merseyside

MERSEY REPORTER

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Updated Every Monday.  Your news...  Your words...

Issue Date:- 21 April 2008

Warning!

Possible Phone Scams?

THIS week our paper received our monthly phone bill and we spotted we had a larger bill than normal. When we looked at the numbers we found 2 premium rate numbers on it, costing around £20.00.  Most businesses might miss this, so we decided to find out how many other businesses and people have had this happen to them and what can be done to resolve it.

This has led us to investigate how these numbers got on our bill, as no one has phoned them and no one seems to know how it has happened, especially as no one was in the office at the time!

The phone provider told us that we had to contact the police, but they could not help. So it was off to Trading Standards. Sadly, Sefton Trading Standards could not help directly, but did pass us onto a group called PhonepayPlus.

We do have to say a very big thank you to Sefton Trading Standards, as they have helped us by finding out that the bill for this call came from a group who do scratch card promotions.

This has lead to both Sefton Trading Standards and ourselves becoming more puzzled. Also, we are all shocked as to how difficult it is to get the bill dropped!

So if any one has had any odd phone calls on their bills, please let us know and we will forward all the information on to Sefton Trading Standards. Also we would like to know if the Phone Company has resolved the issue for you and refunded the cash.

Alternatively you can let Sefton Trading Standards know of any odd calls, and numbers on your bills by emailing them.

Also Sefton Trading Standards would be very interested in anyone who has had unusual calls from banks that are automated. Please note the time, date and if possible the number used to call you on.

We also have also had the following message received on our radiophone line, To hear our recording please click here.   This automated message has both Sefton Trading Standards and ourselves intrigued.  

We can say that both Trading Standards and our selves do not know of any Government scheme to write off your debits.  The only thing that can do that is declaring your self bankrupt!   But that has massive implications...

So if anyone has had this call or has dealt with this group, please let us know.  Our newsroom email address is news24@southportreporter.com.  But if you do receive this call, please do not intentionally press the requested number, as this could be a scam!   Any help would be most appreciated.

On another note Trading Standards are also very interested in unsolicited billing/invoices and any information from businesses related to people asking about advertising in publishing house magazines.

Data Protection Act Warning... Please note that I am compiling all the information we receive to write a news report. All emails used by us will be logged and held for legal reference. Also if you do not want to be identified, but want us to still include your story in the news item, please state that in your email or letter. We must, however, still keep your information logged in our files. Also, if you agree to us passing your information to Trading Standards, please signify this or state that you do not wish your information to be relayed. Your help to identify possible sharp practices will be appreciated
.

A third of drivers admit to ignoring laws of the road!

SERCO Learning, one of the world’s leading suppliers of educational solutions, is staging a series of half day seminar for local authorities and primary and secondary schools to launch an innovative new online tool that will help revolutionise how teachers assess their pupils in maths and science.

The Serco Roadshow, which visits the Liverpool Marriott on Queen Square in Liverpool on Wednesday, 7 May 2008, will give
delegates the opportunity to gain first hand experience how Alfie, a cost-effective online assessment tool, will work in the classroom.

Local Authorities are invited to attend the 10am to 1pm session, whilst primary and secondary schools are invited to attend the afternoon event (2pm to 4pm).

Representatives from Serco Learning will explain how Alfie can help to speed up the assessment process in maths and science at key stage levels two and three by providing pupils with instant results and positive feedback; and most significantly for teachers, no marking required.

They will then demonstrate how Alfie can provide teachers with information about learner responses and access to formative data about objectives that each learner finds difficult, as well as generating a wealth of reports at a touch of a button, all of which provide measurements against norm groups for the QCA Exam Board, giving teachers an indication of learner performance in national tests (SATS).

The system is fully licensed, ensuring that teachers have access to all the latest exam questions and norm data and at an average price of approximately £1 per pupil is an extremely cost effective solution.

The session will also include a short presentation about Serco Learning’s upgraded Learning Platform, which is being relaunched under the name of SkillSpace.

The new solution, which builds on the success of Learning Platform, provides schools with a dynamic and engaging webspace that allows them to share learning experiences with every member of the school community. It is quick and easy to use and features a clear, colourful and customisable user interface.

Teachers can create and share engaging e-learning lessons using a simple drag and drop function, electronically mark homework or projects and monitor student assessments and portfolios. While pupils can access learning tools appropriate to their year group, store files and upload homework; and thanks to the secure social networking facility, build profiles, chat in online forums and write blogs.

“Serco Learning has worked closely with a number of primary and secondary teachers throughout the product development process and as a result, Alfie provides them with exactly what they need; a solution that is easy to use, engages youngsters and provides instantaneous, qualitative results and reports.  Feedback from teachers showed that they wanted the Learning Platform to be easier to use and to have a file sharing capability, so that’s exactly what SkillSpace provides. Furthermore, teachers are provided with Learner Activity Reports so they can monitor the time, date and frequency of access to learning content, and pupils can post questions about homework that perhaps they wouldn’t otherwise ask.   I would encourage local authorities, primary and secondary schools to come along to the event and find out exactly how Alfie/these products can help you." says Ric Thompson, director of Serco Learning.

Serco Learning Solutions, part of Serco Group plc, are providers of learning solutions including the Facility Management Information System and the Facility Learning Platform to Schools, Further/Higher Education and the Health Sector.

To register for the event call 08456 888500 or email them.

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