Crime/Warnings/Scams

REPORTING EMAIL & TEXT

To report phishing emails forward suspicious emails to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at the National Cyber Security Centre report@phishing.gov.uk

Report scam text messages to 7726.

ONLINE SAFETY ADVICE

Students are a favourite target for fraud and other online harms, so Get Safe Online has put together some tips and advice on how they can keep themselves safe online as they return to university or college this month.

Please be on your guard and check the sources of emails, offers and unsolicited messages.

Be a safe student - Get Safe Online

CRIME PREVENTION TIP

A simple solution for securing your french doors is PATLOCK

No keys. No combination lock. This is Just quick and easy-to-fit security with ratchet locking bars that secure your doors in seconds. For instant protection and peace of mind, it’s as easy as: Push, Click, Secure.

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ROAD SAFETY AS WE HEAD INTO AUTUMN

An update regarding Road safety issues, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

As we transition into autumn and the first proper rainfall begins, road surfaces can become rather slippery. This is as a result of a long dry spell and now with leaves being shed by trees and shrubs.

Oil, dust, grit and other residue that has built up in the roads over summer can rise to the surface when the rain returns reducing grip and stopping distances. Dyfed Powys Police would like to take a second to remind everyone to take a bit more care around bends, junctions, roundabouts and common braking areas.

It's worth taking a few minutes to check your tyres for tread depth, cuts and air, that your lights are working well and wipers don't need replacing.

Keep safe and keep an eye out for all road users, particularly cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians who are even more vulnerable as the weather worsens.

A few extra seconds of care can make all the difference.

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SNAPPING

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Snapping is a new and very dangerous craze you should know about.

A new antisocial behaviour trend called ‘snapping’ involves people doing wheelies on bikes and e-bikes. They ride directly into the path of pedestrians and oncoming cars, before swerving at the very last minute.

This has also appears to be part of a trend with cars being driven dangerously, as the recent case where a car was driven on the wrong side of a dual carriageway, resulting in the death of two police officers and five other people.

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NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH PODCASTS

Wow, we knew it was good, but we’re overwhelmed with the response we’ve had to our podcast. The Neighbourhood Watch podcast is officially a hit – the launch downloads figures showed that it is in the top 2% of podcasts globally! We’re so grateful to everyone that has listened and reviewed it. You can listen to all six episodes on our website. If you have any feedback you’d like to share, tell us what you think here.

https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/supporting-communities/neighbourhood-watch-podcast 

E-SCOOTERS IN ABERAERON

DYFED POWYS POLICE

It has been brought to our attention that there is an increased use of e-scooters on the roads and public areas in Aberaeron and the surrounding areas, and they are causing a danger to road users and pedestrians (riding the wrong way on one way roads and on pavements).

Please be advised that e-scooters are illegal to use in ANY public place.  Should officers witness the use of e-scooters in public places they can be seized and destroyed.

If you know any person that owns an e-scooter please advise them of this.  E-scooters are ONLY permitted on private land.

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CRIME NOTICE

Incidents such as shed and outbuilding burglaries increase this time of year.

Sheds and outbuildings are often targeted by thieves as an easy option, and they hold valuable items that can be easily sold on i.e. items such as bikes, mowers, power tools, garden tools and sporting equipment such as golf clubs.

Research has shown that the average shed contents are valued between £1,500 and £5,000, making sheds easy pickings if insecure.

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CURRENT SCAMS IN WALES

In Wales, the most prevalent current scams include AI-powered phishing messages, DWP and parcel delivery text frauds, and courier fraud where criminals pose as police officers. There has also been a spike in analogue-to-digital phone switchover scams and local fuel thefts from farms and properties.

Local police forces and banks operating in Wales strongly advise residents to take the following preventative measures:

Check official channels: Never click unsolicited links or scan QR codes from unexpected messages, even if they appear to come from legitimate organizations like banks or the government.

Use the 159 hotline: If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from your bank, use the Stop Scams UK 159 service to verify the communication immediately.

Verify police identity: Legitimate police officers will never ask you to withdraw cash, transfer money, or hand over bank cards.

Report incidents: You can officially log and track fraudulent activity through Action Fraud UK to help law enforcement protect the wider community.

AI – Artificial Intelligence is bringing whole new and wider ability to generate fraudulent information. If you are not sure check with a number or person you know to verify if the matter is genuine. AI can be used to produce very convincing documentation, like letters from your Bank. If you receive something that you are not sure of make the time to carry checks.

More disturbing is AI Voice Clones: Fraudsters use artificial intelligence to clone the voice of a loved one, calling or leaving voicemails claiming they are in an emergency and desperately need money sent via wire or crypto.

BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!

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CRIME STOPPERS CAMPAIGN

We’re pleased to share details of Crimestoppers’ upcoming national County Lines campaign:

Missing, Controlled and Exploited: Spot the Signs Before It’s Too Late.

County Lines is often viewed as a drug crime issue, but at its heart is the exploitation of children and vulnerable people by organised criminal gangs. Many young people are groomed, controlled and coerced into transporting drugs, money or weapons, often while being reported missing from home, school or care. Missing episodes are one of the strongest indicators that a child may be at risk of County Lines exploitation.

The campaign aims to help the public recognise these warning signs, understand that exploited children are victims rather than offenders, and feel confident sharing information with Crimestoppers anonymously. We also want to increase awareness of the link between missing children and criminal exploitation, helping communities identify concerns earlier and support safeguarding interventions.

The scale of the issue is significant:

• 86,900 missing incidents involving children in care were recorded in England.

• 39,200 children were recorded as missing from education.

• 15,500 children have been identified as at risk of criminal exploitation across the UK.

• Up to 11,600 children are estimated to be at risk from County Lines

 exploitation, with missing episodes identified as a key indicator of harm.

• Three in four County Lines offenders are linked to violence or weapons offences.

The question is asked ‘Are Drugs more common in rural areas?

Though often perceived to be a problem of the inner city, substance use and misuse have long been prevalent in rural areas. Rural adults have higher rates of use for tobacco and methamphetamines, while opioid use has grown in towns of every size.

Dealers come into Wales from Bristol, The Midlands, Manchester and Liverpool as well as through ‘County Lines’

It is something to be very aware of in and around your communities.

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OPEN WATER SAFETY TIPS

Aberaeron & New Quay

With the present warm weather persisting we are witnessing more people looking to cool down in open water. Dyfed-Powys features a huge number of beaches, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and open water areas. We want everyone who visits these areas to stay safe and understand the potential dangers around open water.

We’ve compiled a guide of five tips for each area for you to stay as safe as possible around the water.

Beach Safety

•           Use a beach with lifeguards – This will give you and your loved ones extra protection from highly trained lifesavers.

•           Know your flags – beaches with lifeguards will also have flags to show you where it’s safe to swim. It will also tell you where to use surfboards and stand-up paddleboards. Most importantly, red flags will tell you that the water is dangerous and you shouldn’t enter it under any circumstances.

•           Know the risks – our coast is full of higher tides, cold waters, and stronger currents. Take the time to find out about the area you’re visiting and understand the risks.

•           Do not enter the water after drinking alcohol – this can impair your judgement and raise the risk of you getting into difficulty.

•           Float to live – this is the first thing to remember if you start to struggle in the water or fall in unexpectedly. Relax and try to breath normally. Tilt your head back until your ears are submerged and then use your hands to help you stay afloat. This will give you a chance to get your breathing under control and then call for help or swim to safety.

Open Water

•           Don’t swim alone – Enjoy these areas as part of an organised group or with your friends/family. Let them know where you’re planning to swim and when you plan to return.

•           Be aware of the water temperature – cold water shock is incredibly dangerous and can seriously affect your breathing and movement. The shock can cause your blood vessels to close and restrict blood flow, meaning your heart needs to work harder. Your breathing can change uncontrollably, and you can start to feel panicked, raising your chance of inhaling water into your lungs.

You can minimise the risk by:

•           Using Float to live - Relax and try to breath normally. Tilt your head back until your ears are submerged and then use your hands to help you stay afloat.

•           Allowing the initial effects to pass – this can take less than a minute so try not to swim straight away. Try to stay calm, relax and Float to live, then call for help or swim to safety.

•           Listening to your body – limit your exposure and get your warm if you start to experience; shivering, numbness/tingling, stiff limbs, confusion, blue lips/skin, weakness, rapid breathing, uncontrolled clenched jaw, or difficulty speaking.

•           Know your limits – Don’t risk going into the water unless you know it’s safe. If you’re in doubt, stay out.

•           Do not enter the water after drinking alcohol – this can impair your judgement and raise the risk of you getting into difficulty.

•           Get advice and pay attention to warning signs – check where you’re planning to visit and listen to any advice or warnings. This can include open water areas with trained lifeguards.

Waterfalls

•           Stay on designated trails and behind barriers – the danger greatly increases if you leave marked paths around waterfalls. Climbing rocks, trying to get a closer look, or just getting a better photo, is not worth the added risk.

•           Be aware of slippery surfaces, unstable ground, and eroding cliffs – the areas around waterfalls are covered in algae, moss, and water from the waterfall. It can also be worn away or have soft soil around edges. This makes the ground incredibly slippery or sometimes likely to crumble away under your weight.

•           Stay alert to unexpected currents – the current near the edge of a waterfall can be surprisingly strong, even if the water above it looks calm.

•           Check the forecast in the area around the waterfall – these areas can flood rapidly, even if it’s not raining where you are. A storm upstream can send a heavy amount of water with little warning. It’s important to understand the weather for the whole area.

•           Don’t visit the area alone – Enjoy them as part of an organised group or with your friends/family. Let them know where you’re planning to visit and when you plan to return.

Rivers and Canals

•           Only use safe access – you should only enter these areas in a safe location that you can easily exit. Steep banks can stop you from safely leaving the water.

•           Be aware of the depth and unseen hazards – Don’t jump or dive into these waters. The depth might vary and there could be unseen hazards under the water. This could be reeds, plant life, or even litter that could trap your feet.

•           Be aware of traffic – watch out for boats or people travelling along these areas. Larger boats can find it hard to spot swimmers.

•           Be mindful of waterborne diseases and contaminants – canal and river water is often untreated. It can contain diseases, such as Weil’s disease, pollution, biological or chemical contaminants.

•           Stay away from hazards and strong currents – don’t enter water near weirs, locks, pipes, and sluices. These are often linked with strong currents and could easily sweep you away.

Further reading

• Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI): Water Safety Advice And Tips - Know The Risks

• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) RoSPA- Water safety advice and guidance | RoSPA

• Canal and River Trust: Safety on our Waterways | Canal & River Trust

• Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS): The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)

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LOCAL PRIORITIES ASB

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR MESSAGE

An update regarding ASB - Anti Social Behaviour, which people around the area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

With the upcoming school summer holidays, we could see a raise in anti-social behaviour within our communities.

As a reassurance, Police will continue to patrol our local anti-social behaviour hot-spots and deal with any issues appropriately.

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CYSWLLT DYFED-POWYS CONNECTS

Reporting Suspected Drug Dealing

You should report any incidence of suspected drug dealing in Dyfed-Powys via the Dyfed-Powys Police Report a Crime page, by calling 101, or anonymously through ‘Crimestoppers’ by calling 0800 555 111.

You should Call 999 immediately if there is a threat to life or violence is occurring.

When witnessing these events and gathering intelligence for the police, aim to include the following specific details to help with their investigation:

• Names or nicknames of the individuals involved;

• Addresses;

• exact locations, or specific "hotspot" areas;

• Vehicle descriptions, including the make, model, colour, and registration plate

• Details on times and frequency of the activity

• Physical descriptions of the suspects

Do not approach anyone or make your interest obvious.

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WHAT IS A POSTAL SCAM?

 (28/09/2025)

Some scams are sent by post and may be addressed to you directly by name. They contain fake claims or offers that are designed to con you out of your money. It’s not always easy to control what people send you – but you can control your response.

What are some common types of postal scams?

Here are common types of postal scams to be aware of:

Lotteries and prize draws

You may receive a letter congratulating you on winning a cash prize. These often look legitimate, with barcodes or ID numbers. The letter might ask you to pay an administration fee, buy a product or call a premium-rate phone number to claim your winnings. Don’t respond to these letters, even if they look genuine. A genuine lottery won’t ever ask you to pay a fee to collect your winnings.

Bills from companies you don't use

If you get a bill from a provider and you're not sure if you have an account with them, find the company's contact details in the phone book or online and ask them directly. Don’t use any contact information that’s listed on the bill, as it’ll likely be set up by the scammer.

Psychics and clairvoyants

Psychics and clairvoyants may send a letter claiming to have seen something in your future and asking for money to disclose what it is. Sometimes these scammers will co-ordinate with lottery and prize scams to give the impression that they're predicting good luck.

Pyramid schemes

Pyramid investment schemes will ask you to pay a fee or buy products and recruit friends or family to take part in the scheme before you get a return on your investment.

Strangers who need help

People asking for money because of unfortunate circumstances, like illness or poverty.

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Unclaimed inheritance

You may receive a letter addressed to you, which tells you that someone has left you money in their will. These letters can mention real law firms and even have seemingly genuine email addresses, postal addresses, or websites.

Advance fee fraud

You may receive a request to help transfer money out of another country in return for a substantial reward. Often the letter will appear to be from a Government official or lawyer.

Fake job offers

These usually involve an offer of work to do at home if you first send a registration fee. You may even receive an offer of an interview over the telephone. Legitimate employment agencies won't charge you a registration fee.

How can I protect myself from postal scams?

If you receive a postal scam, there are things you can do to avoid the scammers getting your money:

Reject: If you receive a letter that you think is a scam, ignore it and throw it away. Never reply.

Report: Join the Scam Marshal scheme. You send them your scam mail so they can catch the scammers.

Ignore: Don't call any premium-rate phone lines. These numbers start with 09 and can cost up to £4 per minute.

Verify: If you're unsure, check the details of the organisation. Find the organisation's details using the phone book or via their official website. Never use the contact details listed on the scam letter, as it's likely they'll be set up by the scammer.

Opt out: Try to avoid being added to mailing lists. For example, when you register to vote, tick the box to opt out of the 'edited register' (also known as the 'open register'), as this can be used to send unsolicited marketing mail.

Reduce: Register with the Mailing Preference Service. This will stop many of the direct-mailing companies from contacting you.

​LATEST SCAM

 (31/08/2025)

The newsletter editor has recently received three text messages that claim to be from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

The messages stated that I have not applied for my Winter Fuel Payment and should follow a link to make my claim.

I have accessed the Government site in order to see if I was required to submit a claim for the Winter Fuel Payment. You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22nd September 1959 and live in England or Wales.

You do not need to make a claim if you get any of the following:

State Pension; Pension Credit; Universal Credit;

Attendance Allowance; Personal Independence Payment (PIP); Carer’s Allowance; Disability Living Allowance (DLA); Income Support;

income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA); awards from the War Pensions Scheme’; Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit;

Incapacity Benefit; or Industrial Death Benefit

If you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply:

You’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before;

You’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment.

SCAMS: KEY TAKEAWAYS

 (05/07/2025)

• Be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, and text messages.

• Verify the sender's identity before providing any personal information or making payments.

• Don't click on links in suspicious emails or text messages.

• Be aware of the latest scam tactics used by criminals.

• Report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

By staying informed and taking precautions, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to these scams.

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LATEST SCAMS OVERVIEW

 (08/06/2025)

In the UK, recent scam trends include "Hi Mum" scams on messaging apps, phishing scams impersonating government agencies, and fake parcel delivery scams. Also, AI-generated deepfake videos and cloned voices are being used to impersonate trusted individuals, making scams appear more credible. Additionally, winter fuel payment scams and call-forwarding scams are also circulating.

Elaboration:

"Hi Mum" Scam: Scammers impersonate a family member, often a child, and ask for money for a new phone or other expenses, often using a new phone number.

Impersonation Scams: Scammers impersonate government agencies like the DVLA or HMRC, sending fake emails or calls demanding payment or personal information.

Fake Parcel Delivery Scams: Scammers send emails or texts claiming a problem with a delivery and ask for payment or personal details to resolve it.

AI-Generated Scams: Deepfakes are used to create realistic videos and cloned voices to impersonate trusted individuals or authorities, making scams more believable.

Winter Fuel Payment Scams: Scammers pretend to be from the government, asking for personal information to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.

Call-Forwarding Scams: Scammers trick victims into setting up call forwarding, allowing them to intercept calls to the victim's phone.

Social Media Shopping Scams: Scammers promote fake prize deals and sales via social media.

Ticket and Voucher Scams: Scammers sell fake tickets or counterfeit gift cards.

Fake Job Scams: Scammers trick people into applying for fake jobs to steal their identity.

Cost of Living Scams: Scammers use the cost-of-living crisis to trick people into parting with their money.

Cryptocurrency Scams: Scammers promise high returns on investments, but the investments are fake.

Screen-Sharing Fraud: Scammers use screen-sharing tools to trick victims into giving away personal information.

Romance Scams: Scammers pretend to be in love with someone to extract money.

WhatsApp Friends and Family Scams: Scammers pretend to be a friend or family member to ask for money.

QR CODE PARKING SCAM

 (08/06/2025)

A QR (Quick Response) code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information and can be scanned by mobile devices to quickly access data like URLs, text, or images.

QR codes can be tampered with, for example, scammers are known to place fake QR code stickers over real ones on parking meters. This has been prevalent in many parts of the Country.

Be aware of large QR codes that have been placed on top of some PayByPhone signage around the Country. These QR codes take you through to a fake website (parking sps) and asks for your bank details. This is a fake website - please make sure you are on the correct website or use your PayByPhone app. The Police are working to get these removed and identify the culprits.

REPORTING SCAMS

Please report any Scam or suspicious emails to the National Cyber Security Centre Report

Email to: report@phishing.gov.uk

If you receive any Scam or suspicious text message please send them to 7726

There is no need to write any information when forwarding emails or text messages.

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​SCAM WATCH

 (28/10/2023)

Take care if you’re shopping on online marketplaces like Facebook.

There has been a 75% increase in people getting scammed when shopping for things like cars, tickets and clothes on Facebook Marketplace.

Here are some things to look out for:

• Always remember the simple test. ‘Is it too good to be true?’

• It’s not a bargain if it never turns up.

• Do you have to pay right away?

• A genuine seller won’t pressure you into a quick sale.

• Can you meet the seller in person?

• Look for things nearby so you can check the item before you pay.

• Will they let you pay by card?

• Never pay by bank transfer.

• Pay by debit or credit card to protect your money.

NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY CENTRE

(10/10/2023)

Suspicious message reporting.

Timely alerts help us to act quickly and protect many more people from being affected. As of May 31st 2023, the number of reports received stand at more than 20,995,000, with the removal of more than 129,000 scams across 235,000 URLs. We are unable to inform you of the outcome of our review, but we can confirm that we do act upon every message received.

We will analyse the content of the email you have sent to us and any websites it links to. If we discover activity that we believe to be malicious, we may:

• seek to block the address the email came from, so it can no longer send emails

• work with website hosting companies to remove links to malicious websites

• raise awareness of commonly reported suspicious emails and methods used with the help of our partners

Please note…You should not report a suspected crime to us. If you think you may have been a victim of fraud or ‘cyber crime’, you should report it:

• to Action Fraud if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland: www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040

• to Police Scotland if you live in Scotland: call 101

There are a number of ways you can protect yourself from attacks like this and the NCSC has published plenty of advice that will help you to stay secure online; for example:

• The NCSC’s top tips for staying secure online

• Phishing attacks: how to deal with suspicious messages and emails

• Securing your devices

For a full overview of the NCSC’s advice for the general public please see our dedicated individuals and families webpage.

How we handle the information you send to us.

Transmitting information over the internet is generally not completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the security of an individual’s data, which is sent at your own risk. We do however have procedures and security features in place to keep data secure once we receive it.

We may share details with various government departments, our Law Enforcement partners (such as the National Crime Agency and the City of London Police) and other organisations where doing so is necessary and proportionate for the proper discharge of our statutory functions. We won’t share an individual’s information with any other organisations for marketing, market research or commercial purposes.

The information we hold is exempt from Freedom of Information requests.

For further detail on how we handle information you send us, please see our Privacy Statement.

Further information about reporting suspicious emails to the NCSC can be found at www.ncsc.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails

ACTION FRAUD LEAFLET

SCAMS & CYBER CRIME

‘ACTION FRAUD’

National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre.

Tel. No. 0300 123 2040

If you fear that you may have been scammed you can report fraud and cyber-crime to Action Fraud any time of the day or night using an online fraud reporting tool https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud 

You can also report and get advice about fraud or cyber crime using the telephone number 0300 123 2040.

Forward any suspicious emails to the National Cyber Security Centre via the following email address: report@phishing.gov.uk   Just forward the email there is no need to attach any message .

ON LINE SAFETY

Ensure that you passwords are different for your various accounts.

Passwords should ideally not be words and a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols.

Make sure that you periodically update/change your passwords.

If possible don’t write passwords down. If you have to write them down don’t the leave information by your computer. It is also best practice not to save them to your computer or web browser.

As a result of data losses at B.A., Amazon and Facebook I was informed, through my bank, that they thought that my security had been compromised. It became apparent that my email account had been ‘hacked’. This has all been made secure and is now available for me to use again.

You can be so careful with your data but you are very dependent on others to keep your data safe. If you ever have any doubts about the security of your computer use your anti-virus to complete a ‘deep scan’ and change your passwords.

​CURRENT SCAMS

(10/03/2023)

TV LICENCE- a very genuine looking email circulating that encourages you to pay your TV Licence via a link in message. After your personal details and banking information.

BT – warning of loss of email/broadband service or current bill available to pay. This has been doing the rounds for some time.

Stay safe and check with a number you trust. Remember to report any suspicious emails to  the National Cyber Security Centre email: report@phishing.gov.uk

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DEWIS WALES

Dewis Cymru is a website full of helpful organisations available to support you and your wellbeing. Type the website address below into a web address bar on your phone, tablet or computer to start your search.

www.dewis.wales

Please click here for Dewis Cymru document.
 

ANTI-SCAM & SECURITY ADVICE

No organisation, including law enforcement agencies, would ever contact you by email, letter, phone or in person, requesting ‘User Names’, ‘Passwords’, ‘PIN Numbers’ or security information. Never give them out to anybody.

There has been a large increase in scams involving BT recently. This has a lot to do with the activity in and around the area with the introduction of fibre broadband.

The main thing to remember is that no one who rings you, if it be a Bank, BT, HMRC, Police, etc will ask for passwords, usernames and bank or credit/debit card details. Don't be intimidated or threatened. Ring off and find a number that you know is correct from your contract(s) or account(s).

Also don't be misled by items received in the post. There have been very good forged letters received which request you contact a given number which is bogus. This has led to personal and security being requested. Always contact the customer services number you know.

If you have any doubt of the legitimacy of any email don't open any attachments or contact any emails or phone numbers contained in them. They may contain viruses to disable your machine or glean passwords and security information.

If you are not happy about a phone call just hang up.

REMEMBER the information is yours to keep you and your money and information safe.