Car security begins at home

According to the latest word from the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, the trend of residential burglaries to access car keys is continuing. They go further to say that vehicle keys are the only property stolen in up to one in four reported burglaries in which a vehicle is taken. Offenders are also becoming more brazen, prepared to enter even occupied premises to quickly grab keys left in easily accessible spots, often gaining access via unlocked doors or windows. As a result be prepared to see quite a few innovative television and cinema advertisements being launched in September this year as part of a community education campaign.

The message is pretty clear - find a safe and secure spot for your car keys when you get home. In the unlikely event that thieves gain access to your home, finding your car keys shouldn't be easy.

DON'T LET THEM CON YOU

There are no shortage of scams doing the rounds. Many come via your computer in the form of email and pretend to be someone you are currently dealing with. It could be from your bank, Microsoft, or even your energy supplier.

This SCAMwatch report deals with bogus energy supplier scams:

Beware – energy bill scams on the rise

May 2014: SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be on the lookout for energy billing scams currently doing the rounds.
A new phishing email pretending to be from reputable energy companies is currently circulating, which claims you owe money for an outstanding gas or electricity bill. The email will ask you to click on a link to view or update your account and arrange payment via money transfer. If you click on the link, you risk infecting your computer with malware and having your personal information stolen. If you pay this ‘bill’ via money transfer, you will never see your money again.
Beware – reports have also been received about scammers approaching consumers via phone, SMS and post.
Don’t let scammers raise the temperature of your heating bill in the lead-up to winter – if you receive an email out of the blue from someone claiming that you owe their company money for an outstanding energy bill, press delete.

How the scam works

• You receive an email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from a reputable energy company, informing you that you owe money for 2013 energy usage.
• The email may appear to come from an official part of the energy company such as the ‘Accounts Payable’, ‘Receivable Department’ or the ‘Accounts Receivable Team’. The email may even have all the trademarks of a bill – it may state that it is a gas or electricity bill, and include a fake account number, account summary, billing period details and due date for payment. However, on closer inspection, the email may contain spelling and grammatical errors – a tell-tale sign that something is amiss.
• The email may claim that the reason for the outstanding amount is that you have exceeded your energy consumption limit. It may even claim that you are eligible to use a discounted energy tariff to pay the bill if you click on the link.
• The email directs you to click on an embedded link, attachment or zip file to access your account and view your statement, and then direct you to a money transfer service with instructions on how to pay the bill.
• If you click the link or attachment, your computer may be infected with malicious software and your identity compromised. If you transfer money, you’ll never see it again.

Note: you don’t have to be a customer of the energy company claiming that you owe them money to receive this email.

Protect yourself

• If you receive an email out of the blue from someone claiming that you owe money for outstanding energy usage – just press ‘delete’.
• If you’re not sure whether an email is a scam, verify who they are by using their official contact details to call them directly. Never use contact details provided by the sender – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
• Watch out for tell-tale signs – whilst the sender may claim to be from an official source, their email may contain spelling mistakes or use poor grammar.
• Never click on links or open attachments in an email from an unverified sender – they may contain a malicious virus.
• Keep your computer secure – always update your firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and only buy from a verified source. If you think your computer’s security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.
• Never send money to someone you don’t know and trust – it’s rare to recover money from a scammer. If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

Report

You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.

More information

Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.

Sharing NHW Grant Project Ideas - Synopsis of Successful 2013 Grants

Brain storming can be a useful tool when it comes to being creative. With new grants on the offering for the 2014/2015 financial year, it might be useful to see what others did last year with their grant money.

Last year the Community Funding 2013 projects were focused around Speeding and Hooning, Burglary and Theft, Vandalism and Graffiti, Litter,  Alcohol related harm in youth, Loud music and parties. Here is a snapshot of what went down:


CFP13-01         NHW Tweed Valley - NSW                                                        $2604.00
Hi Neighbour - Welcome to the community

HI NEIGHBOUR - WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY is all about recruiting new residents who may have slipped through the cracks, and have not already been invited to be part of the NHW family.

CFP13-03         Watch Holden Hill - SA                                                              $3000.00
Not on My Watch - Car sunshades
To provide the public with “Not on my Watch” car sunshades containing NHW logos, with arson prevention and awareness slogans.

 

CFP13-07         City of Melville - WA                                                                  $3000.00

Personal alarms for personal safety

The aim of this project is to distribute 300 personal panic alarms at a community safety information session that is targeted at seniors.

 

CFP13-08         NHW Whyalla Stuart Area 277 - SA                                       $1190.00
Note pad with hooning and speeding messages
The aim is to print and deliver a note pad with messages about the dangers and consequences of bad driving behaviours to all households within our area plus some adjoining households.

 

CFP13-09         Gosnells District NHW Inc - WA                                              $3000.00
Promotional events
Gosnells District NHW aims to educate, stimulate and empower the community on safety, security and crime preventions issues by attending local community events, organising stalls, interactive activities and stimulating local community events.

 

CFP13-11         Ashfield City NHW - WA                                                           $2920.00
Anti-graffiti workshop
This project aims to engage local youth in caring for the local community and the environment by running anti-graffiti workshops. Murals are going to be painted at local bus shelters.

 

CFP13-12         Campbelltown NHW area 147 -SA                                         $318.10
Safety Stickers

The aim is to produce and distribute lock the door stickers to all residents in our area. The stickers will display messages reminding residents to keep their doors locked.

CFP13-13         Maroochydore NHW - QLD                                                     $2771.00
Signs in beach car parks
This project will see signs erected in beach car parks that are aimed at reducing the incidences of preventable crimes, minimise the incidence of anti-social, unsafe and undesirable activity at beaches and nearby car parks.

 

CFP13-14 Mudgeeraba 6 NHW – QLD                                                             $1350.00
Anti-graffiti mural
Mudgeeraba NHW group aim to reduce graffiti and vandalism in their estate by covering hot spots with anti-graffiti murals.

 

CFP13-18 City of Cockburn NHW - SA                                                            $550.00
CCTV cameras installed in Community areas

To purchase and install a comprehensive CCTV system to monitor local soccer hall, skateboard park and tennis courts.

CFP13-24 The Gap NHW - QLD                                                                          $2997.00
Anti hooning keyrings, and stickers
The aim of this project is to create awareness, encourage drivers to slow down.

 

CFP13-25 NHW Victoria Inc – VIC                                                                     $3000.00
Anti-crime prevention computer games for kids

The aim of the project is to develop a web-based inter-active computer game for children aged 8 to 12 to provide them with crime prevention and home security information in an entertaining format.

CFP13-26 NHW Victoria Inc – VIC                                                                     $3000.00
Street art project
The project aims to educate young people on the impact of illegal graffiti and encourage them to explore the creative arts in a way that is received positively by the community. Street Art training sessions will be run.

 

CFP13-27 City of Greater Geraldton – WA                                                     $3000.00
Developing NHW groups

The aim is to improve community safety in Mullewa by reducing and preventing crime and the fear of crime. Promote community ownership on reporting anti-social behaviors. Magnetic A4 reports will statistically inform agencies with knowledge and work toward further prevention.  

 

CFP13-28 Neighbourhood Watch ACT, VIC, NT, WA and Australasia     $13953.90                                 
Purchase of 5 Identification card printing machines
This project enabled 5 identification card machines to be purchased. This will allow professional ID cards to be designed and supplied to NHW groups.

 

CFP13-29 NHW Volunteers Assoc of SA – SA                                                $3000.00
Safer streets project - Hooning resource
This project aims to inform the community in relation to Hoon driving legislation and to facilitate the reporting of hoon driving in affected suburbs. The information is to be contained in a simple 2-Fold A4 to DL brochure for mass delivery to residences.

 

CFP13-30 NHW Australind Program – WA                                                     $1482.00
Slow down stickers

The aim of the project is to remind motorists to slow down in residential areas and be aware of children that might be on or near the road.

CFP13-31 Victor Harbour Port Elliot NHW - SA                                             $995.00
Graffiti removal kits

To provide community members though NHW Area 425 access to a free resource that facilitates removal of small areas of graffiti.

CFP13-32 NHW Victoria Inc – VIC                                                                     $1060.00
NHW recruiting brochures.

NHW brochures will be translated into 5 different languages. The aim of the project is to encourage the residents to join the established NHW groups.

 

CFP13-33 Netley Area 355 – SA                                                                      $990.00                                                                                                                                                                    

Personal alarms

Personal alarms will be distributed to senior residents of Netley. This aims to promote a sense of security, safety.

CFP13-34 Whyalla NHW – SA                                                                            $2850.00
Notes pads with safety messages
To reduce the instances of theft of property from unlocked vehicles and homes, by making people aware of simple steps to avoid becoming victims of these types of crimes.

 

CFP13-35 Hawthorndene NHW – SA                                                               $400.00
High Visibility vest with NHW signage

This project has two aims. 1 to satisfy the criteria of our risk assessment by ensuring all the volunteers who deliver newsletters is provided with high visibility vests. 2 To reaffirm the presence of a strong and vibrant Neighbourhood Watch program.

CFP13-36 Wheeler Hill NHW Mon 047 - VIC                                                   $935.00
Street Party to engage about hooning issues
The aim of this project is to re-engage the community with the local NHW group by providing a series of summer street parties

Announcing NHWA Community Funding Project Grants - Opening on 1st July 2014

I was reading through different emails that are sent to me regarding the Neighbourhood Watch as well as Security and Safety news when I came across this article on the Neighbourhood Watch Australasia website written by Toby Barnbrook on June 26th, 2014 -

If you are either of the following,
• A NHW incorporated not-for-profit organisation OR
• An organisation sponsoring an unincorporated NHW not-for-profit organisation OR
• A Local Government Authority working in partnership with NHW OR
• A Member on behalf of an Australian Police Force/Service working in partnership with community
You are eligible for the NHWA Community Funding Program
The Neighbourhood Watch Australasia CFP is in its third year and has been created to:
• Continue to engage and strengthen local communities in relation to crime prevention and community safety
• Promote the exchange of information and further build partnerships between the police, local communities and government
• Enabling safer and vibrant communities
The funding can be used for any Neighbourhood Watch crime prevention or community safety project. Funds will be available to a maximum of $3,000 per application for your community to develop and implement community safety and crime prevention initiatives. Funding applications for small grants of under $1000 are encouraged. Your project initiative should be planned so that all financial acquittal documentation is returned to NHWA by 30th January 2015.
Supporting quotes/invoices and your payment bank account details MUST be submitted with your application.
Important Dates for Community Funding 2014
• Applications will open on Tuesday 1st July 2014
• Applications due by 5pm on Thursday 31 July 2014
• NHWA will review and assess all applications by Friday 22nd August 2014
• All applicants will be notified by the Friday 29th August as to the outcome of their application.
• Successful applicants will receive a Funding contract via email.
• Completed Funding contract and a valid tax invoices to be returned to NHWA by Friday 12 September 2014
• Payments to be made by NHWA during September 2014.
Reporting Acquittal documents to be returned by Friday 30th January 2015

If you want more information click HERE

The Neighbourhood Watch Shop - About Us

The Neighbourhood Watch Shop was setup to handle the merchandising needs of the Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers Association of South Australia in August 2010. From humble beginnings, the sales of WatchSA merchandise, which was previously sold from the 2nd floor of the South Australian Police Crime Prevention Branch’s offices now was being sold from a borrowed office room in Sturt Street, Adelaide. It was quickly realised that in order to reach the community more effectively, an online shop was necessary.

The online shop or www.neighbourhoodwatchshop.com.au quickly became the main focus of incoming merchandise requests and the additional e-commerce facilities of being able to handle credit cards, electronics funds transfers (EFT) in addition to cash, cheque and money orders were well received. Where merchandise was previously collected from the Flinders Street SAPOL offices or sent to a Police station near to the customer, now all orders placed are sent directly to the customer usually within 24 hours of the order being placed for a small fee.

The merchandise range has also evolved with most items that previously bore the state ‘WatchSA’ logo being replaced by the more universal Neighbourhood Watch and the well-known four heads logo. This change was in part responsible for seeing the Australian Capital Territory coming on board at the end of 2011. More recently the Tasmanian Neighbourhood Watch Association has decided to use the shop’s resources and we are hoping that other states and territories come on board too. The benefits of more customers is directly related to the buying power of the shop and even though the prices dropped significantly when the new sales facility was created in 2010, keeping the prices low is an ongoing objective.

New merchandise is being added all the time and many of the items stem from requests made by local area coordinators and members who have seen the need for a particular item or items. For example most recently we have added Corporate Apparel items including NHW Baseball Caps, NHW Green Bucket Hats, NHW HiViz Wide Brim Hats, NHW HiViz Lime Yellow Safety Vests all of which carry the Neighbourhood watch name and iconic logo. Other items added include metal and plastic ball point pens; longer and wider NHW lanyards with spring loaded clips; green or white NHW balloons.

In addition to the NHW branded merchandise, we have sought out the best items in their class for asset protection. Market leading NanoTags; ever popular Ultraviolet (UV) ink pens and light kits; battery operated engravers. Our current Price List and Order Form boast over 30 items to choose from and the list gets longer every month. We encourage suggestions from everyone in the community.