'the imjin' magazine Summer 2020 | Page 19

CHEPSTOW AND INNSWORTH HIVE The HIVE Information Service provides information on behalf of the chain of command to the Service community and welcomes enquiries from all members of the wider service community serving at Imjin Barracks. Fakes news Coronavirus scams – how to spot them and stop them Scams are among the most common types of crime in the U.K., and fraudsters are taking advantage of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. 5. Take Credit – You should regularly get a copy of your credit file and check it for entries you don’t recognise. Callcredit, Equifax and Experian can all provide your credit file. 6. Let Rip – Destroy and preferably shred receipts with your card details on and post with your name and address on. Identity fraudsters don’t need much information in order to be able to clone your identity. 7. It’s a steal – If you receive bills, invoices or receipts for things that you haven’t bought, or financial institutions you don’t normally deal with or contact you about outstanding debts, take action. Your identity may have been stolen. The HIVE BLOG is an internet-based electronic notice board, and includes the most up-to-date news, events and important official Service community information. It can be accessed at www.chepstowhive.blogspot.com Police have reported a 400% increase in scams due to the virus, but there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself. 1. Name Game – Do not give any personal information (name, address, bank details, e-mail or phone number) to organisations or people before verifying their credentials. Sarah Stokes HIVE Information Support Officer 8. Big Deal – Be extremely wary of post, phone calls or emails offering you business deals out of the blue. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always question it. 2. Easy PC – Make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security and monitoring to prevent malware issues and computer crimes. 9. False Friends - If you have been a victim of fraud, be aware of fraud recovery fraud. This is when fraudsters pretend to be a lawyer or a law enforcement officer and tell you they can help you recover the money you’ve already lost. 3. Phish Farm – Many frauds start with a phishing e-mail. Remember that banks and financial institutions will not send you an e-mail asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details. Do not trust such messages, even if they look genuine. 10. Take Advice – If you need advice about fraud or cyber crime visit the Gloucestershire Constabulary website www.gloucestershirepolice.uk or contact ‘Action Fraud’ on www.actionfraud.police. uk Telephone 0300 123 2040. Telephone 01291 645354 E-mail [email protected] Website www.army.mod.uk/hives HIVE Opening Hours Monday-Thursday 8.30am-4.30pm, Friday 8.30am-4pm 4. Card Trick – Sign-up to ‘Verified by Visa’ or ‘MasterCard Secure Code’ whenever you are given the option while shopping online. This adds an additional layer of security to online transactions with signed-up retailers. Discounted tickets for local attractions available from the Welfare Office YES WE CAM The Welfare Office’s discounted ticket scheme for local attractions may be temporarily on hold, but this shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying the sites that are part of the scheme. All of the attractions are offering on-line content to keep families amused during lockdown. The live webcam at Slimbridge Wetland Centre looks out over the Rushy lake, filled with waders and waterbirds bit.ly/SlimCam The zoo keepers at ‘Noah’s Ark’ in Bristol are posting videos from behind the scenes, including updates from their various animal enclosures facebook.com/noahsarkzoo Meanwhile the sheep at Cattle Country Adventure Park have been given free-rein to enjoy the grass around the various children’s playgrounds facebook.com/ CattleCountryAdventurePark NEW All Things Wild near Evesham, WR11 7QZ www.allthingswild.co.uk Bristol Aquarium Bristol, BT1 5TT www.bristolaquarium.co.uk Bristol Zoo Clifton, BS8 3HA www.bristolzoo.org.uk Cattle Country Adventure Park Berkeley, GL13 9EW www.cattlecountry.co.uk Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1PG www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk WWT Slimbridge Slimbridge, GL2 7BT wwt.wwt.org.uk/wetlands- centres/slimbridge Innsworth Station Welfare Office has discounted tickets for the above local attractions, at £10 family ticket (£12 for All Things Wild) and £2.50 individual. Tickets are booked and paid for in advance, through the Welfare Office. TICKETS CANNOT BE RESERVED OR BOOKED OVER THE TELEPHONE. Booked tickets are collected from the Welfare Office (Monday - Friday), or Station Guardroom (weekends and Stand Downs), on the morning of your visit, and returned to the Guardroom that evening. Check the attraction website for their latest events, as well as for any additional event costs and other information. For further information contact Welfare Office 01452 362550 (extension 4550) or [email protected] the imjin SUMMER 2020 19