Caution urged following spate of cases involving fake officials in York

sCAM ALERTPeople in York are being urged to guard themselves against being approached by fake officials, as some residents report that they have been telephoned about car accidents by callers claiming to be from or informed by City of York Council.

The fake calls are being investigated by trading standards officers following a number of complaints from people claiming that they have been called unexpectedly about car accidents. The callers either claim to be from the council or, in some cases, claim to have been given information about the ‘accidents’ by the council. When questioned, the callers have hung up.

Other scams across the country involving fake officials have led to significant losses for their victims. An elderly couple from the Home Counties lost £900,000 in a scam – involving a bogus trading standards officer. The pensioners, who had already been defrauded of £300,000 by so called roofers, believed their fortunes had changed when the bogus official came calling.

The ‘official’, thought to be part of the same gang as the ‘roofers’, tricked the couple out of a further £600,000 in ‘up-front fees’ with promises to recover the money. For his part in the crime, Gary Andrew Booker, aged 55 of Surrey, was jailed for three-and-a-half years, earlier this July – also Scams Awareness Month 2016.

Other recent cases include an 83-year-old woman tricked out of £30,000 to fake police officers; a women who lost £170,000 to conmen posing as trading standards officers; and a number of elderly people who were caught out by callers masquerading as NHS workers.

Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Scammers target people in all sorts of ways, including online, over the phone or even at their own front door.

“If you suspect someone is running a scam or are worried you have been a victim of a bogus offer you can get help from the Citizens Advice consumer service.”

Advice to guard against doorstep callers:

  • · Fit and use a door security chain when you open the door.
  • · Check the identification of a caller by ringing their employer. Use the telephone number from your telephone book and not one they might supply.
  • · Do not let anyone to carry out work on your house until you get a second opinion and never agree to callers who say “we are only in the area today”.
  • · Never keep large sums of money in the house and keep purses out of sight, not near the door.
  • · Get advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service 03454 04 05 06 who can provide advice and pass details on to trading standards.
  • · Report scams or suspected scams to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 www.actionfraud.police.uk
  • · Tell a friend, neighbour or relative about any scams you become aware of.
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Finding Dory in York – summer swim sessions

As the summer holidays begin City of York Council is encouraging York’s children to ‘just keep moving’ this summer, with the nationwide interactive family swim sessions and a brand new 10 Minute Shake Up campaign – all inspired by the new Disney·Pixar blockbfind doryuster, Finding Dory.

The campaign from Disney, Change4Life and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) sees the launch of themed family swim sessions at hundreds of pools across the UK as well as new 10 Minute Shake Up activities, in a bid to make exercise fun and help children get the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity they need each day.

The Finding Dory inspired swim sessions, which are co-created with the ASA and run from 22 July until 4 September, will provide an hour of in-water storytelling for the whole family, teaching children key swimming skills as they are taken on a journey with Dory and friends, led by trained instructors.

The Change4Life 10 Minute Shake Ups with Disney are back for a third summer to encourage children to get the 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity they need each day with fun 10 minute bursts of activity. For 2016, there are even more interactive Shake Ups than last year, including those inspired by the new Disney·Pixar film, Finding Dory, which set a box office record for an animated film when it opened in the United States in June.

To coincide with the launch of the campaign, Disney, Change4Life and the ASA commissioned a survey of more than 1,000 children aged 5 to 11 and their parents on their attitudes towards physical activity. The survey revealed that three quarters of children aged 5 to 11 (73%) want to do more physical activity, and 56% of children miss taking part in school PE lessons over the summer. Finding ways for their children to be active is a challenge faced by families, with 61% of parents saying they struggle for ideas during the school holidays.

The research showed that more than half of children (55%) said that swimming is one of their favourite ways to keep physically active during the summer holidays.139% of 5 to 11 year olds also said that they would want to go swimming more often if they could go with family members.1

Physical activity helps children build social skills, boost self-confidence, improve bone and heart health and maintain a healthy weight, yet just 21% of boys and 16% of girls currently meet the national recommended level of activity of 60 minutes each day.

Councillor Carol Runciman, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health said: “This is a fantastic initiative to encourage children and families to get active. Increased physical activity can lead to better academic achievement, with improved attention span, behaviour and self-confidence. I would encourage people across the city to sign up”.

City of York Council’s Director of Public Health, Sharon Stoltz said: “In children physical activity is essential for mental and emotional health as well as physical health and a reduced risk of developing chronic conditions in the future.  The 10 Minute Shake Up is a great way to get the city’s children moving this summer!”

Search Change4Life online for Disney and Finding Dory inspired 10 Minute Shake Ups and don’t forget to book your swim session today at www.disney.co.uk/justkeepmoving.