Other News In Brief

Police Warn Public To Stay Vigilant Following Reports Of Scammers

Police are warning the public to stay vigilant following reports of scammers targeting people in counties Armagh, Down and Antrim.

Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said in the last two days, there have been 24 reports from people who said attempts had been made to scam them out of money and trick them into making a bogus payment.

"Thankfully, none of the people targeted were scammed out of any money," he said.

"Some of the victims said they received phone calls and automated voicemail messages from people claiming to represent the HMRC, threatening them with arrest if they don’t pay taxes they owe. Other callers said they received emails and calls demanding they pay a certain sum of money using ‘bit coin’, or else they’d post videos online of them watching footage of a sexual nature.

"In one instance reported, the fraudsters asked the victim to buy iTunes gift card voucher codes because they can be easily redeemed and easily sold on. The scammers don’t need the physical card to redeem the value and instead get victims to read out the serial code on the back of their card over the phone. Thankfully in this case, the scam was spotted and no money was lost. 

"In another instance, a man received a call from someone claiming to represent BT who said their internet had been hacked and requested access to their account. Luckily, access wasn’t given."

Continuing, Ch Supt Walls said the PSNI are reassured that people are able to spot these scams and are picking up the phone to report them.

"However, we would continue to urge members of the public to always err on the side of caution with any text, call, email or letter asking for payment or personal details in order to release money, refund fees, pay lottery wins or supply a holiday, giveaway or service," he said.

"Our advice is always be wary of any individual who cold calls you. Don’t allow any cold caller remote access to your computer. Be especially suspicious of anyone who asks for personal details, money, banking or credit card information via the telephone. Once a scammer is in a victim’s computer and personal details are given by the victim, their online bank accounts can be accessed and significant amounts of money lost; money they may well never get back.  

"The scammers may also advise their intended victim they’re due a financial refund and ask for details of their bank account in relation to this, which they will then target.

"If you are at all suspicious about a call you receive, hang up and phone the organisation the person is purporting to represent to check their authenticity. Ideally, make the call from another telephone so you can be sure the original caller has not remained on the line. Never be pressured into a transaction over the phone.

"Guarding your personal and banking details is essential. Never disclose them to any unauthorised person or allow anyone access to them via your computer.

"If you have received a call of this kind or are concerned by the intent of unsolicited calls, emails or letters then please report it to Action Fraud via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk or by phoning 0300 123 2040, or call police on the non-emergency number 101.

"Further advice and information can also be obtained by visiting www.nidirect.gov.uk/scamwiseni or the ScamwiseNI Facebook page @scamwiseni."

Work To Start On £350,000 Cookstown Road Resurfacing Scheme

Up to £350,000 is being invested to resurface the A29 Dungannon Road in Cookstown.

Work to improve the strength and surface quality of the road will get underway on Monday, 06 August.

The project will extend for around 2.1km from the road's junction with Drumconnor Road to 650 metres north of Lisnanane Lane. To minimise any inconvenience to the travelling public and local businesses, traffic management measures will be in place.

Work is scheduled to be complete by early September.

£19.4m Of Tory/DUP Deal Used To Plug Budget Cuts – Maskey

Sinn Fein's Anti-Poverty spokesperson, Alex Maskey MLA, has hit out at the DUP after discovering £19.4 million of funding from the Tory/DUP Confidence and Supply agreement is being used to plug budget cuts.

As part of the pact, £20m per year for five years was allocated for projects to tackle severe deprivation, with the Department of Education receiving £16.5m, DAERA £1.8m, and Health £1.7m.

However after writing to Stormont departments, Mr Maskey said he learned that out of the £20m allocated to seven programmes, only one of which has had its budget increased by £600,000.

"The other six programmes have the same budget as last year. This shows that the remaining £19.4m was used to plug cuts," the West Belfast MLA said.

"The DUP endorsed cuts to anti-deprivation programmes and then took credit for plugging those cuts with the Confidence and Supply money. It is smoke and mirrors."

(LM)