Useful information to help protect against online scams

A message from Little Chalfont Parish Council asking you to please be aware of the numerous scams that are around at the moment. Please feel free to browse the material below to view information and short videos made by the Government, the 'Take Five' campaign and major businesses. If in doubt about anything unusual that somebody you don`t know is trying to get you to do, hang up, close the front the door/log off from your PC and seek advice. Please do not act in the heat of the moment based on requests made by total strangers.

'Take Five' campaign

Take Five is a national campaign that offers straight-forward and impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud. This includes email deception and phone-based scams as well as online fraud – particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations.

During these difficult times, it’s important that you remain vigilant and guard against criminals using the publicity around coronavirus as a chance to target you with fraudulent emails, phone calls, text messages or social media posts.

For more information go to the Take Five Campaign Web Site

Buckinghamshire Council Advice on Scamming during the Coronavirus Emergency

Doorstep scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus emergency to con elderly and vulnerable people.
For more information please read Buckinghamshire Council Tips on Scams

What to do if you suspect a scam

- Report it to the Financial Conduct Authority on 0800 111 6768 or via their online reporting form at FCA Link
- Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at Action Fraud Link

Advice from Thames Valley Police

Please see the link to a video made recently by Thames Valley police - which should act as a warning! Although an actor is used in the video, this is a real-life example of how scams work. In this case the criminals pretend (convincingly) to be the police, to gain trust. Be on your guard. Always talk to someone you trust for a second opinion before parting with any significant amount of money, whatever the reason. Thames Valley Police Video