The new – and free – Ringmaster scheme to notify everyone of crime issues has sent out a couple of warnings this week. Remember that you can sign up to Ringmaster for free whenever you want to receive alerts by email, text message, or phone.

When did it happen: 7pm 19^th March 2013

Where: Cheadle

General Information: Unknown males x 2 attend Ap’s address, front door insecure, 1 offender enters lounge, tells AP he is from a fire & security company & needs to look at rear of house. Offender is challenged by the Ap, and he turns to leave the house, picking up AP’s purse from chair in living room prior to walking out front door, back to car. Other offender remained outside, not entering AP’s house. Both drive off. The incident has been reported to the Police.

Offender/Vehicle Description: Vehicle – maroon coloured car, make not known. No VRM, possibly a “blue mark/badge” on right side of front plate. Offender 1 – W1,6’2”,dark hair, black/grey tweed overcoat. Offender 2 – No description except wearing a “windjammer” coat.

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS INFORMATION:

 When answering the door, always use a door chain, check who is there by looking through a window or door viewer and always ask for identification – IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT!

• Don’t do business or accept services from a cold caller on the telephone or at the door
• Remind people to lock all doors and windows securely
• Doorstep safety Advice can be found at www.doorstepcrime.net

PLEASE REPORT ANY INFORMATION TO THE POLICE

Emergency: 999 Non-Emergency: 101 National Consumer Direct: 08454 04 05 06

 

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A number of people across Stockport have been caught out by Council Tax scammers phoning up to tell people they can secure a rebate of thousands of pounds of council tax.

They say the service is free, but then come round to your house and charge hundreds of pounds to help you fill in the forms.

This is a scam, pure and simple.  You can’t reclaim council tax retrospectively.  The amount we pay is based on the banding A-G our house is in.  If you think your house has been wrongly valued, you can apply (for free) to the independent assessor in Manchester to have them revalue it for you.

Be aware, though, that they can decide you’ve been paying too litte as well as too much, so you could end up paying more council tax, not less.

Another regular scam is people who deliver charity bags, but from private companies where little or none of the money raised from selling your old clothes actually goes to charity.  If you want to be on the safe side, check for a charity number on the bag and look it up on the internet.

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