Cash machine scam – warning to be vigilant

West Yorkshire Police are asking residents of Headingley and Hyde Park to be vigilant when the withdrawing cash from local ATM machines. Four camera devices have been found in the past few weeks attached to ATM machines in these  areas. These carefully disguised devices are fixed above the cash machines and video record users inputting codes into the machine through a pin hole camera. This information is later used to defraud the customer. West Yorkshire Police are investigating these incidents and ask for any suspicious devices or behaviour around cash machines to be reported to us immediately.

University PC Mark Bottomley gives the following advice:

Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN with your hand.

If you notice anything unusual, odd or different about the machine or there are signs of tampering; do not use it, report it to the bank immediately and don’t let others use the machine.

If your cash or cards get trapped within the machine, report it to the bank immediately.

Stand close to the machine to avoid prying eyes over your shoulder and challenge anyone stood too close to you.

Don’t let any strangers distract you when at the ATM.

Always put your cash and card away before leaving the cash machine and never leave a receipt behind.

Finally always check your bank statements, fraudsters often will use low value transactions in an attempt to hide their thefts over a long period of time. Immediately notify your card company if something appears wrong.”

October is Free Wills Month

free will logoFree Wills Month brings together a group of well-respected charities to offer members of the public aged 55 and over the opportunity to have their simple Wills written or updated free of charge by using participating solicitors in selected locations around England and Wales.

An up to date Will written by a solicitor ensures your wishes are respected. It also avoids difficult decisions and legal complications for your loved ones. Free Wills Month allows you to provide for family and friends and leave a gift to your chosen charities too.

Charities taking part in the Leeds area include: British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association, Asthma UK, Arthritis Research, Guide Dogs, RNLI, Oxfam, Salvation Army and Redwings Horse Sanctuary

To find out more about how this all works and to see the participating solicitors click here

Thank you to the Grove

Many thanks from allSAM_2174 at Caring Together to those members of the Grove Methodist Church In Horsforth who kindly brought 6 boxes of foodstuff to our offices this morning. This was some of the food collected as part of their Harvest Festival Festivities which they asked to be distributed among older people in Woodhouse and Little London.More details of the activities of the church can be found on their website: http://grovemethodist.org.uk. The picture shows some of the members of our Reminiscence Group helping to sort through the donation.