Author: Webmaster

Hello everyone and welcome. While none of us want to tempt fate, and anticipating that the mutated variants will only have a limited, controllable, effect, most of the news regarding the fight against Covid remains encouraging.

I am therefore pleased to report that the committee is making plans for the summer and the remainder of our 2021/22 year. With the recent relaxation of the rules about meeting in small groups of six indoors and up to 30 outdoors some of our groups have started meeting in person. Members are already walking, cycling and playing Pickleball and the ukulele, all being very careful to keep to current rules and regulations. We always make sure we keep up to date with those.

Coming soon: The reading group is starting up again, in a garden if the weather is nice, and the lunch group is hoping to start up in June. There could soon other activities going on indoors too, if any group does start to meet then please let Siobhan know and tell everyone what you are doing.

Technology has enabled us to do far more indoors during lockdown, many of us have kept in touch using technology, others haven’t wanted to or have been unable to, and some of us have welcomed it, reluctantly at first maybe, but it has enabled some meetings and group activities to continue. Like many organisations, we’re likely to continue with a mix of online and face to face activities. First thoughts are now that it is possible to have informal get-togethers of mini groups of 6 indoors (and as the weather improves) 30 outdoors then interest groups can consider meeting in this way.

We are approaching a time when the government are liable to further relax regulations regarding the use of Halls, Homes, Libraries, Bowling venues and outdoor activities. Wherever our groups are meeting the paramount concern must be the safety of all members from Covid 19. When we consider returning to use our venues it is still important to ensure that we all continue to follow whatever government guidelines are relevant at that time, e.g. numbers, hand washing, hand gel and social spacing.

Finally a thank you from the committee to those members who have offered help and suggestions relating to storing equipment and alternative venues to the leisure centre for the monthly meeting. Especially thanks to: Christine Eagle, Margaret Cook, Jean Cragg, Christine Ashby and Susan Foss

David Rose

1. National Insurance number ‘compromised’ cold calls.
If you’ve received a pre-recorded message or phone call claiming your National Insurance number has been compromised, you can safely ignore it. It’s a scam.

Phishing emails
Fraudsters appear to be continuing to use the hook of National Insurance numbers as a means to exploit personal information from victims – the scam appears to have now moved to phishing emails:

This email, which was not sent by GOV.UK

2. Cold call ‘crime scam’

We’ve been made aware that an official sounding voice usually claiming to be from the National Crime Agency or ‘National Office for Serious Crimes’ has been cold calling unsuspecting members of the public, asking them to call back urgently. Fraudsters will then try to manipulate you into handing over personal information using a web of lies and threats.

There have been dozens of people targeted by this scam over the past few months. Action Fraud data shows it is the most reported phone scam of this year so far, having received more than 1,000 reports.

One victim reported that when he returned the call he was falsely told that someone had been using his National insurance number (NINo) to claim Universal Credit. The scammer told him that if he didn’t hand over his personal details so they could make a ‘correction’ he would be liable to repay thousands of pounds in fraudulently claimed benefits and could be sent to prison. At this point he realised something wasn’t right and put the phone down, but the scammers continued to try and get in touch with him for more than a week.

The scammers tell the unsuspecting victims to hand over their personal information as they need to be issued with a new NI number. Don’t be pressured for your details. In reality, there’s very little damage anyone could do with just your National Insurance number, even if someone had access to it. But your other personal details, such as your name, date of birth, address and bank details are much more valuable to criminals. They could use this information to target you with more personalised scams, or try to gain access to your accounts. No government organisation would ever pressure you to hand over sensitive information, and if you’re uncomfortable or unsure, just hang up the call.

Finally: Remember, you can visit Gov.uk which offers contact numbers and web chat support if you have concerns regarding your National Insurance number.

David Rose