Police issue fraud warning to businesses

North Wales Police are warning Local Government, Corporations, Trades, Companies and Businesses to be on their guard following a recent spate of frauds where attempts have been made to change the bank details of legitimate sub-contractors and suppliers.

Detective Chief Inspector Iestyn Davies at Caernarfon Police Station said “Typically a company or business receive a letter or email purporting to be from a well-established sub-contractor indicating they have changed their bank account details and in some case are using another company name. 

 

"Their intention appears to have invoices settled into the new accounts and make off with the cash.   This scam appears to have been attempted all over the UK and in some cases accounts have been settled into the new and bogus accounts and emptied almost immediately with no trace of the offenders.

 

“My advice is simple, if your company or business receive a letter from a sub-contractor indicating change of name or account please make contact with a known individual in the business to confirm.  If this is not the case please ignore the request and inform Action Fraud immediately.

 

“Unfortunately offences of this nature are becoming more common but by asking a few pertinent questions and making a few enquiries you could prevent yourself from becoming a victim of fraud.  Further information about protecting yourself from financial crime is available from the Action Fraud hotline on 0300 123 2040, or visit http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/ . 

 

DCI Davies added: “They can provide up to date advice on current scams and can identify whether a scenario is fraudulent.  And if you have been unfortunate to have lost money, contact the police.”

 

Police tips to protect yourself from fraud:

 

• Do not give personal details including banking details to anyone you do not know following unexpected requests for money made either in the street, on the doorstep, over the telephone or internet or as these details can be used to steal your identity.

 

• Consider registering with the Telephone Preference Service to stop unsolicited telephone calls.  This is a free service.  Further details can be obtained from http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/ or 020 7291 3320.  Registration can be made on line or by phone 0845 070 0707.

 

• Consider registering with the Mailing Preference Service as this supports the right to choose the mail you wish to receive.  Further details can be obtained from http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/ or 020 7291 3310.  Registration can be made on line or by phone 0845 703 4599.  This too is a free service.

 

• If you are suspicious that you’ve been targeted in a fraudulent telephone call this can be reported to Action on Fraud at http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/ or telephone 0300 123 2040.

 

• If you’ve lost money call your local police on 101.

 

• Beware of cold calls even when the caller appears to have personal information such as your address or bank account details.  Legitimate callers will never be offended if you ask to call back in order to confirm their identity.  When doing so always use a phone number that you’ve obtained from previous correspondence or an independent source such as phone book or an official website. 

 

We would encourage the public to use social networking to get this message out to as wide an audience as possible – the more people who know about it the less chance of them becoming a victim.

AM welcomes long-awaited bridge work

* Ken Skates AM at Postles Bridge.

AN Assembly Member has welcomed the news that work on a popular link bridge will soon be completed.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates first wrote to Glandwr Cymru – the Canal and River Trust in Wales – more than two years ago after a constituent contacted him with concerns over the 19th-century Postles Bridge in Trevor.

Labour AM Mr Skates, who is based in Llangollen, said the cobbled access ramps to the roving bridge, built to allow horses to cross the canal, rendered it out of bounds to people in chairs, on bikes and pushing prams.

But now the structure, built by Thomas Telford, and a stretch of towpath are being modernised to improve access – with an expected completion date of the end of the month.

Mr Skates said: “I’m delighted that, more than two years after I first raised concerns, work will soon be finished on this important local landmark and it will be much more easily accessible for many more people.

“With its location next to the Trevor Basin in our beautiful World Heritage Site, the bridge is a key link to Llangollen. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the month, and I’m sure everyone who is as proud of the area as I am will join me in welcoming it.” 

Teams needed for Plas Madoc quiz night

Volunteers fighting to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre are appealing for quiz-lovers to show their support at a general knowledge fundraiser.

The Splash Community Trust needs teams of six people for a quiz night at Flexys Club in Acrefair on Friday, May 23. All proceeds will go towards helping reopen the popular facility, which closed at the end of April.

Trust member director Greg Ogden, who lives in Trevor, said: “There will be questions on all sorts of things: Music, films and TV, sports, science – you name it. There will also be a raffle, and we’ve got several great prizes already including free haircuts and driving lessons, as well as a few bottles of wine.

“We’ve had quite a few teams sign up already, so it should be a great night for a fantastic cause. Come and show your support!”

Trust chairman Darrell Wright added: “The quiz night is one of several fundraisers we’ve got lined up, and it’s vital those who want Plas Madoc to reopen do their bit by supporting these events. We can only do this with their help.”

The quiz starts at 8pm and costs £3 per person. For more information, or to donate raffle prizes, call quizmaster Pete Roberts on 07925 377666.

* Anyone with fundraising ideas can email jennymiller08@hotmail.co.uk or call Jenny on 07921 6590990. The trust is still asking Plas Madoc supporters to fill in a short online survey which will help keep them up to date with developments and could help with grant applications. To complete it visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PMFUTURE

Chain Bridge progress report

Today's Denbighshire Free Press has a story about progress on the Chain Bridge renovation project.

See the full story at: http://denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/133579/200-year-old-chain-bridge-to-link-communities-once-again.aspx#.U2tz2WwGvsU.facebook

County is "scam capital of Wales" says Plaid

Plaid Cymru AM Llyr Gruffydd has warned householders to be aware of the dangers of scams in the wake of a huge number of complaints made to trading standards officers across Wales.

 

Scores of complaints about scams and unsolicited calls are being made to trading standards officers every week with councils across North Wales dealing with 2624 complaints over the past few years.

 

Denbighshire alone had more than 1,000 complaints over four years, second only to Swansea in terms of numbers. Many local authorities have also taken out prosecutions following complaints [see breakdown below]

 

Plaid Cymru submitted a Freedom of Information request to all Welsh local authorities to find out the extent of complaints about scams and cold calling. The figures released reveal Denbighshire as the “scam capital” of North Wales.

 

Mr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM, said: “Older people are more likely to fall victim to these scammers and lose their life savings as has happened too many.

 

“I support Age Cymru’s call for action by government and the telecom companies to tackle these scammers along with and measures such as an expansion cold-calling zones.

 

“The information we obtained using the Freedom of Information Act is an indication of the significant concerns of people about scammers. This is probably the tip of the iceberg because, while some individuals will make complaints, others may perhaps feel too embarrassed to complain. But they should go to the police and trading standards with any concerns

 

“These scammers and rogue traders are really the worst of society and it is important that we are all aware of the dangers, particularly if we have older relatives, friends or neighbours.”

 

This month Age Cymru is leading on a Scams Awareness Month highlighting online, mail, phone and doorstep scams.

 

The figures

 

 

DENBIGHSHIRE

 

Complaints about scams (post, phone, email, unsolicited mail, doorstep callers)

2010-11: 222

2011-12: 285

2012-13: 299

2013-14: 240 (up to January 31, 2014)

TOTAL: 1,046

Prosecutions: 6

 

 

FLINTSHIRE (for comparison)

 

Complaints about scams (post, phone, email, unsolicited mail, doorstep callers)

2010-11: 92

2011-12: 135

2012-13: 134

2013-14: 116 (up to January 31, 2014)

TOTAL: 477

Prosecutions: 0

 

Details of latest bus service changes

People travelling by bus in and around the Wrexham area may be interested in the latest service changes announced by Wrexham Council, which come into effect from Sunday, May 18.

 

Details of a service through Llangollen can be found part way down the list. There are also details of services affecting neighbouring Chirk.

 

Wrexham Council says in a preamble to the list: "Many bus services in and around Wrexham are changing as a result of Wrexham CBC budget reductions. However, we have been able to introduce some new links as well, in cooperation with local bus operators. A summary of the changes, by service, is shown below."

 

Unless otherwise noted the changes are from 18th May.

 

Service 1 Wrexham- Chester (Arriva)

 

The Monday to Saturday timetable is unchanged, but the Sunday service frequency is reduced from every 20 minutes to every 30 minutes during the day, with changes to departure times.

 

Services 2 & 2A Wrexham- Oswestry (Arriva Midlands)

 

An evening and Sunday service is introduced between Wrexham and Oswestry. This replaces the evening 2E service, provides a partial replacement for Sunday service 5A to Chirk and provides new links to Oswestry during these times.

 

From 22 April services 2 & 2A were rerouted to serve TESCO in Cefn Mawr and some 2C journeys were extended from Cefn Mawr to Chirk and Oswestry.

 

Service 2E Wrexham- Chirk (GHA)

 

This service will be withdrawn and replaced by evening service on service 2 (See above)

 

Services 3 & 4 Wrexham- Rhos- Penycae (Arriva/GHA)

 

The timetables for these services are unchanged, but the Sunday service will now be operated by GHA Coaches. The evening service will, in part, be operated commercially and as a result GHA will no longer be accepting other operator’s tickets on their evening journeys.

 

* Services 5, 5A and 5C Wrexham – Llangollen (GHA) (25th May)

 

The Sunday service 5A will be withdrawn between Llangollen and Chirk (Service 2 provides a replacement Chirk to Wrexham link) but service 5C journeys will be extended to Llangollen to provide two buses per hour between Wrexham and Llangollen most of the day on Sundays. Some Sunday evening journeys will be withdrawn. There are also timing changes on some morning journeys Mondays to Saturdays.

 

Service 5M (early morning, Acrefair- Wrexham via Rhos) (GHA) (6 May)

 

This journey will operated commercially and consequently other operator’s tickets will no longer be accepted.

 

Service 7 Wrexham - Caia Park (Arriva)

 

Saturday morning journeys leaving Wrexham bus station at 0625 and 0710 will be withdrawn.

 

Service 11 Wrexham- Minera (GHA)

 

Two new early evening journeys will be introduced to replace this part of former services 141/142. These will be operated by GHA Coaches, leaving Wrexham Bus Station at 1930 and 2030, returning from Minera at 2005 and 2105. The 2030 departure from Wrexham Bus Station will extend to Bwlchgwyn and Gwynfryn. Combined with service X50 this will result in an almost hourly service from Wrexham Bus Station to Coedpoeth.

 

Service 13 Brymbo – Wrexham- Wrexham Industrial Estate (Arriva)

 

The section of route between Wrexham bus station and Wrexham Industrial Estate will be withdrawn. Service between these locations remains available via D Jones & Son service 13B, as well as GHA services 41, 42 and 43.

Service between Brymbo and Wrexham bus station is unchanged.

 

Service 17 Wrexham - Moss (GHA)

 

The timetable will be revised and the route will be changed to cover the Colliery Houses area Stansty Road), replacing the Town Link service to this area.

 

Service 23A Wrexham- Coed y Glyn (GHA)

 

This service will be withdrawn.

 

Service 32 Wrexham- Llay (Arriva)

 

The early Saturday morning journey at 0715 from Wrexham Bus Station to Llay and return will no longer operate.

 

Service 34 Wrexham- Trevalyn (GHA)

 

The timetable will be revised with some journeys (including those serving Darland School) being withdrawn.

 

Service 35A Wrexham- Borras Park (GHA)

 

This new service will be introduced, replacing the existing 44A service on Sundays and providing new Sunday service to Mile Barn Road, Birkdale Road, Holt Road and Dean Road. In Acton the service will operate via Oak Drive and Cilcen Grove between Chestnut Avenue and Chester Road, no longer using Central Avenue and Rhosnesni Lane. The changes are to make the service closer to the route of the daytime 35 service and to provide service to more areas.

 

Service 37 Wrexham – Caia Park (Arriva/GHA)

 

This Sunday only service will be operated by GHA Coaches instead of Arriva.

 

Services 41/41A Wrexham – Queensway – Wrexham Industrial Estate – Holt/Bangor on Dee

 

These evening services will replace the Wrexham Industrial Estate section of the 141/142 service on a slightly revised route and timetable. Service 41 will use the same route as service 141 in the Caia

Park area, while service 41A will use the same route as service 142 in this area. Both services will serve Pentre Maelor, and there will be two journeys extended to Holt (via Wrexham Industrial estate) while two journeys will operate to Bangor on Dee. The last outbound journey will extend to Overton, this partly replaces a service 146 journey.

Towards Wrexham all journeys will start at or serve Wrexham Industrial Estate, with some journeys originating from Holt or Bangor on Dee.

The daytime 41 service is unchanged, with the exception of an additional journey operating from Wrexham Industrial Estate at 1742 replacing a current service 141 journey.

 

Service 44A Wrexham - Borras Park (GHA/Arriva)

 

The Sunday service will be replaced by service 35A (see above), while the evening service will be withdrawn due to low use.

 

Service 60 Llanarmon DC – Oswestry (GHA)

 

This service will be withdrawn, but connections to and from Oswestry and through fares will be available by connecting with Arriva Midlands services in Chirk.

 

Service 64 Llanarmon DC- Chirk- Llangollen (GHA/Bryn Melyn)

 

This service will be revised to operate approximately every two hours.

 

Service 65 Llanarmon DC – Wrexham (GHA/Bryn Melyn)

 

This service will be revised to operate school days only, with one journey in each direction. Connections to and from Wrexham at other times will be available through interchange in Chirk. Service will no longer be provided to Garth.

 

Services 141 and 142 Minera – Wrexham- Wrexham Industrial Estate-(Holt) (GHA)

 

These services will be withdrawn but will be largely replaced by services 11 and 41/41A (see above)

 

Service 146 Wrexham- Whitchurch (17 May)

 

The evening and Sunday journeys on this service will be withdrawn. However, partial replacement evening journeys for Marchwiel, Bangor on Dee and Overton will be available on service 41/41A (see above)

 

Town Link (Pat’s Coaches/GHA)

 

This service will be withdrawn. Partial replacement for the Colliery Houses (Stansty Road) area will be available on service 17 (see above)

Try an after-hours visit to Ruthin Gaol

Denbighshire Archives and Ruthin Gaol Museum are giving children a rare opportunity to visit at dusk to celebrate the Museums at Night out of hours festival.

Museums at Night is the annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage when hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening events.  There will be a story evening at the Gaol on Friday 16^th May which will see children joining in

There with local singer and story teller, Ruth Moore Williams and staff to make story time fun.

Children are encouraged to wear winter pyjamas, slippers and their dressing gown because the gaol can be quite cold in the evening.

Cost: £2 per child including milk and biscuit. Please call 01824 708281 to book your place. Recommended for 5 years and over and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.