From Neighbourhood Alert:

Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud people.

Below are some of the most common scams to be aware of:

EMAIL, TEXT AND PHONE CALL SCAMS:

An unexpected email from the government offering you money.The ‘infection list’ scam mimicking the World Health Organisation (WHO) claiming to provide a list or map of local infections.An email from HM Government asking for donations for the NHS.An HMRC email stating you are ‘eligible to receive a tax refund’.Sale of fake COVID-19 swabbing tests, supplements, and anti-virus kits.A text message asking you to pay a fine as it says you have been ‘recorded as leaving your home on three occasions’ during the lockdown.A phone call stating ‘government guidelines now require everyone to wear a mask outside the house, press 1 to purchase your mask’.

DOORSTEP CRIME

Cleansing services that offer to clean drives and doorways to kill bacteria or offering to ‘decontaminate’ the inside of your home.Bogus healthcare workers offering to take your temperature or provide ‘home-testing’ for the virus.Criminals offering to do your shopping. They take the money and do not return.

ADVICE AND SUPPORT:Always question unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information (name, address, bank details). To verify the company contact them directly using a known email or phone number. For advice on cybercrime, or to report suspicious emails, visit www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware Anyone who has been a victim of fraud or cybercrime can report it online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040

THIS JUST CANNOT BE PRAISED ENOUGH

Another great local community-minded activity is taking place in Whitchurch at Testbourne Community School.Using their laser cutter they are now making face visors that are being distributed to those in need.

In conjunction with Costello School in Basingstoke they are also trying to raise £3000 to buy the materials for Covid-19 Scrubs and Visors which are going to NHS staff, local GP surgeries, chemists, ambulance stations, fire services, care homes, district nurses as well as some local charities.

Claire Young of the Design and Technology Department at Costello School said:

“Our key workers in our community are supporting you, please, if you can, do something to support them”.

and

Costello, Basingstoke

“I am now pleased to have Testbourne Community School working along side us to produce PPE for hospitals, care homes, doctors, ambulance stations in and around North Hampshire. We have now increased production enabling us to donate to Watership Down partnership, Wessex Lodge care home, Two Rivers partnership and the pharmacy’s in Overton and Whitchurch. We have also been able to donate visors to Marks and Spencer’s and Aldi’s. Thank you so much Testbourne School for showing true community spirit and collaboration.”

It is a fantastic initiative showing how local schools can work together for the needs of this local and national emergency.

Testbourne, Whitchurch

Testbourne Community School has published today:

“We are pleased to announce that we are now producing face visors for key workers within the local community using our laser cutter.After a trial period, Mr Roberts managed to make 50 face visors yesterday and even more today and these have now been distributed to the GP Surgery, pharmacy and Wessex Care home in Whitchurch.”

“We are not charging for these face visors and are working in collaboration with Costello School, who are sourcing the materials. If you feel that you are able to make a donation to continue to fund this worthy cause, please visit the Just Giving page below.”

Thank you! https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/costello-711

At the time of writing over £2,700 had been pledged.

DO YOU REQUIRE VISORS?If any frontline workers for the NHS, care homes, fire service, ambulance service would like visors for their work place they can contact:

C.roberts@testbourne.school

C.Young@costello.hants.sch.uk

A wonderful achievement and a fantastic project.

—-

johnb

One of our much loved visiting mobile traders returns to Whitchurch this week.

Jeff the Codfather returns on Thursday 23rd April to his spot in Bell Street Car Park where he will be offering his wide choice of fresh fish.

The staples of cod, haddock, sea bass, mackerel and tuna are usually found alongside fish patés, shellfish and kippers, all at very good pricesJeff will be in his spot between 1.45pm and 2.45pm.

Expect a goodly amount of banter too at no extra charge.—

Real ale with your fish?And as an aside – When Jeff leaves Whitchurch he usually ends his day at the award winning Wonston Arms.It was the friendly landlord Matt who tipped us off about him being back in Whitchurch, so it is worth mentioning that they too serve Whitchurch with deliveries of their excellent real ales straight from casks.They can be contacted at: https://www.facebook.com/thewonston