News reports located on this page = 2.

Warning about fake penalty charge notices

PEOPLES email boxes are becoming even more riddled by the day with bogus emails and it is increasingly almost impossible to tell they're fake.   This week we have been alerted to a surge in fake penalty charge notices being emailed out to email boxes within the North West. These emails are reported to have been sent from Barnet Council, claiming that you have been fined for parking or some other traffic offence, but when you look closer, the links point to websites like turkeytextiletrade,com.

In this case the email we are using as an example, that says it is from "Barnet Council" reports that:- "the PCN is being served by letter because Civil Enforcement Officer 463 observed the vehicle identified above from 13:37 to 17:52 and tried to serve a PCN by affixing it to the vehicle or giving it to person appearing to be in charge of the vehicle but was prevented from doing so by any other person." This is due to the 'fact' you have:- "Contravention Code: 31 Pedestrian crossing zigzags." It asks you to pay ₤150.00 and tells you to click on to:- "examine the evidence first before you appeal." 

The clever part of this type of scam is that they depends on the victims willingness to abide by the law. A parking ticket is something that most people tend to follow up immediately, and as it is a low amount, victims are less likely to pay without asking too many questions. We strongly suggest you do not click on the links within this email and forward it to:- Phishing@CityOfLondon.Police.UK, then delete it.  You can click on the image of the email to read it in more detail. We have also added the other image that highlights its 100% a scam.  We have alerted the Police to this email and also contacted Barnet Council to make them aware of it.  If you have made a Payment, alert the Police and your Bank!

A Barnet Council spokesperson said:- "We're aware of people receiving phishing emails claiming to be from Barnet Council about penalty charge notices (PCN's). We do not use email to notify motorists of PCN's. We advise people not to click any links in the email and to report this to Action Fraud."

We are told that other Councils have seen another rise this type of email being sent out, claiming to be from them, so please take notice that this is just 1 of many PCN scams. Police Forces in the UK and UK Council's never send out emails like this, so please stay safe. If you think its fake, it very likely is, even if it looks convincing!

If you do receive an email like this and you have clicked on a link within the email, immediately run a malware and anti virus scan on your computer or device. The trouble with this type of email often starts when you click any links within them. At best, you can end up downloading a ton of malware to your computer; or at worst, you could also end up losing money to a non existent fine, or having your accounts drained! Plus you run the real risk of having you computer hacked!  Please, please, please, also remember never call any numbers on any email your receive like this!  You can find information about this type of scam online on both:- Which and Action Fraud's websites.

Please remember that if do receive a parking ticket, that is stuck to your vehicle's window, and you have done wrong, then it's probably the real thing.  But again, not definitely, but it's often fairly easy to check whether the parking ticket is real or not, via calling the Council or Police directly. Again look up the number and do not use the 1 provided, unless you are 100% confident it is real.

Editors Note:- It's also worth adding that:- "Galley Lane," in Barnet, we are told, does not have any crossing on it!

Ambulance Service encourages people to plan ahead of Easter Bank and May Bank Holiday

WITH the long weekend on the horizon, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is urging people to plan ahead of the Easter Bank Holidays by stocking up on essential medication.  NWAS is expecting a 31% increase in calls to its NHS:-  111 service over the bank holiday weekend and is reminding people that NHS:-  111 Online is the new way to access healthcare for patients who need urgent help and advice and unsure where to turn.  With pharmacy and GP closures, it's important to check local chemist opening times, collect any prescriptions in plenty of time and keep medicine cupboards stocked up with common ailments such as sunscreen and a 1st aid kit.

Jackie Bell, Head of Service for:-  111 at NWAS, said:- "Easter is 1 of the busiest times of year for our NHS:-  111 service. With 2 bank holidays and Easter Sunday, people often forget to make sure they have the medication they need in plenty of time and may need medical help before their GP reopens on Tuesday. We'll be increasing our staffing levels by 45% with more health advisors on duty over the weekend, but we're urging people to make the most of NHS:-  111 Online if they need to which is now available across the North West.  Also plan ahead for the May Bank Holiday!"

The Ambulance Service also tends to see a rise in avoidable emergency:-  999 calls over the Easter break. Examples of calls in 2018 that were able to be managed by a clinician over the phone included:- someone struggling to sleep, back pain lasting a few days, a patient who had drank too much alcohol and a filling fallen out of a tooth.

999 is only for life threatening emergencies and for everything else NWAS urges people to consider self care at home or NHS should call:-  111.

Emergency Operations Centre Sector Manager, Peter Ballan said:- "With the forecast looking good, we know that lots of people will be enjoying the sun outdoors so please take extra safety precautions and if you're having an Easter tipple, please know your limits. We tend to see an increase in calls around the holiday periods as many people don't know what alternative care is available when their GP practice is closed. Wherever possible we aim to encourage self care at home for minor ailments and therefore it is important to keep a well stocked medicine cupboard including essentials such as:-

► Paracetamol.

► Antihistamines.

► Anti diarrhoea tablets.

► Indigestion treatment.

► Sunscreen.

► A 1st aid kit.

Information on a wide range of common health problems can be found on:-  111.NHS.UK."