On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me…a stranger at the door… #FraudFreeXmas

Good morning,

If recent high winds and floodwater have caused damage to your home, or you need repairs to your property for any reason, please Stop! Think Fraud before sourcing a tradesperson to repair the damage.

Please use a Trading Standards approved business listed here: https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

All the businesses listed on the “Buy With Confidence” website have been fully checked and vetted by a local authority Trading Standards service, so have the assurance they are honest and trustworthy.

Be extremely cautious of online recommendations (check reviews on other sites too), cards through doors, and in particular, people knocking your door offering to do work which initially appears good value but quickly escalates.  For many, your home is your most valuable asset, financially and practically, please ensure your home and your money are always in safe hands. 

Please do share this important warning with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for their own Hampshire Alert: https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/ 

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been scammed and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Report Fraud either by phone 0300 123 2040 or online at:  https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/

However, if a fraud or other crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately. 

Otherwise, report non-fraud crime online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential, support:  https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/  or phone 0808 178 1641

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726 or to your phone provider.

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team