Silver surfers: steer clear of online scams

Scotland’s growing legions of ‘silver surfers’ are being warned to be vigilant as cyber criminals look to prey on unsuspecting victims with increasingly cunning online scams. With the numbers of older people using the web and discovering social media channels growing daily, fears are being raised they are becoming the prime targets for internet scammers.

The fraudsters are continually concocting scams to fool unsuspecting web users with many of the cons taking place without the victim being aware, ranging from social networking and financial scams to those relating to online employment or auctions. One smartphone/web-based App set up to highlight the explosion of online scams lists more than 600 different online cons.

The latest warning comes fromthe Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC), as part of a new campaign it is fronting to raise awareness of various issues that can place older people at risk of financial harm.

Gary Ritchie, Assistant Director of SBCC, said: “These con men will stop at nothing to shamelessly deceive and swindle internet users out of personal details and money. While many of us have been using the internet for some time and have grown to recognise these types of scam emails, anyone can be caught out as new scams are constantly being designed to trick unwary web surfers into parting with money or personal information.

“The increase in ‘silver surfers’ using the internet as a way of communicating now means that older people are increasingly exposed to these crimes. Older people in particular are prone to falling for emails that appear legitimate because they look like official emails which appear to be from a well known bank or unsolicited mails where the scammer tells of recent disastrous events which have left them stranded, usually in a foreign country with no money and no passport. Sadly these people are frequently conned out of huge sums of money. Crimes against people who perhaps don’t have the same capabilities or support to protect themselves as others is appalling and has no place in Scotland.”

One of the most prominent online scams is ransomware; a category of malicious software which, when run, disables the functionality of a computer in some way. The ransomware program displays a pop-up message demanding payment to restore functionality.

The malware, in effect, holds the computer ransom, the pop-up advises law enforcement has locked the computer and suggests that this is a result of the user viewing indecent images or terrorist sites.

These pop-ups use the logos of recognisedUK forces, including Action Fraud so victims are easily fooled by this con. Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid this pop-up and given the number of different gangs operating ransomware scams, a conservative estimate is that over £3 million a year is being extorted from victims, however, the real figure is likely to be much higher.

Chief Inspector Ronnie Megaughin at Police Scotland, also chair of the Adults at Risk from Financial Harm Group, said: “There are a number of factors which require to be present for frauds or scams to be successful and the vulnerability of the victim is at the heart of that equation. While anyone can be duped, those who are most vulnerable within our communities are faced with the greatest risk.”

He added the Keeping People Safe campaign being managed by the Adults at Risk from Financial Harm Group aims to put in place a range of prevention measures necessary to safeguard individuals and reduce criminal opportunity.

As victims are often too embarrassed to report these various internet crimes, authoritative statistics are hard to establish. However, a recent study by Age UK found almost half of the over 60’s questioned said that they had been targeted by a scam last year.

Lindsay Scott, spokesperson for Age Scotland said: “Although today’s pensioners may be mentally sharper than ever, they still make a prime target for con artists because they generally have more disposable income and because they’re usually more trusting, having grown up at a time when things were taken at face value. It’s also true that longer life expectancy has resulted in a growing generation of people in later life who perhaps live alone, are maybe a bit forgetful or simply become confused or frightened by smooth-talking scammers. This combination of not remembering correctly and in many cases, particularly involving men, being unwilling to admit there’s a problem, can make older adults especially vulnerable to this sort of crime.”

A booklet containing information and advice on a variety of scams has been created and produced by The Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Sterling Team and is available to download for free by visiting http://www.sbcc.org.uk/media/84031/little_book_of_big_scams.pdf

Scam Detector is a smart phone and web-based app available to download for free which exposes more than 600 of the world’s most fraudulent scams.http://scam-detector.com/

The SBCC, which aims to work in partnership with various bodies to create a saferScotland, recently held a conference to establish a blueprint forScotland’s private and public sectors and voluntary organisations to collaborate consistently and effectively to protect those who may be subjected to financial abuse by others.

The SBCC is currently forming a strategic multi agency steering group to provide further advice, guidance and protection around those who are seen as vulnerable in this way through information exchange and early intervention including the development of aScotland against Scams initiative. The group will also consider how to tackle e-related scams and postal scams as part of their ongoing work.

This steering group will consist of representatives from the Scottish Government, Social Work Department, Trading Standards, police, banks, energy and utility companies as well as a variety of other interested organisations.

More information about the Scottish Business Crime Centre and how to become a member can be found atwww.sbcc.org.uk.

Edinburgh College strikes gold

Edinburgh College students have won a string of awards at a national competition designed to recognise the exceptional talent of beauty students in further education and training. Edinburgh College hosted the national World Skills competition and awards ceremony and entered beauty students to compete for awards against hundreds of students from across the country.

The local collge students, who have consistently won awards at the World Skills competition, picked up two 1st places, three 2nd places and one 3rd place in several competitive beauty categories including aromatherapy and beauty therapy – with a clean sweep of awards in Beauty Therapy Advanced.

19-year-old Beauty student Rachel Rooney from Gilmerton won 1st place in Advanced Beauty Therapy. She said: “My lecturers, Carrie, Nicola and Claire, really encouraged and supported me to go in for the competition and I’m really glad they gave me that extra boost to go for it. I couldn’t have done it without their help.

“I was in complete shock when I heard the World Skills judges call out my name to say I had won – all I could hear were my friends and lecturers cheering me on as I went up on stage to collect the award. I’m so pleased to have won such an amazing award. World Skills is a really well known competition. It’ll look brilliant on my CV and will hopefully give me an edge when I’m looking for a job after College.”

34-year-old Beauty student Lola Lopez, who is originally from Madrid but is currently living in Edinburgh, won 1st place in Aromatherapy at the World Skills competition. She said: “It’s such a massive opportunity to have our beauty skills judged by top professionals. During the competition, the judges came around to observe our treatments and asked us questions about our skill and techniques throughout the competition to really put us to the test.”

Mandy Exley, Principal of Edinburgh College, said: “We are delighted to have been given the honour to host and compete in such a high profile event. World Skills really showcases the brilliant work of beauty students across the country, and highlights the next generation of talented and skilled beauty employees in the industry. We’re incredibly proud of all of our students who have won awards in the competition and look forward to seeing how they perform in the UK national final later in the year.”

She added: “The area of beauty within Edinburgh College is fundamental to the College’s overall curriculum, as well as to the overall contribution to GDP within the UK. The number of people training and gaining employment in beauty has grown by leaps and bounds over the last five years, and we’re very proud to be at the forefront of delivering a skilled workforce within the burgeoning beauty industry.”

Highly regarded throughout the industry, World Skills UK champions and drives excellence in workplace skills and education through competition. The beauty students will soon find out if they will be invited to attend the flagship The Skills Show final later in the year.

Pictured Above: (L-R) Edinburgh College beauty students Shevon McKenna, Lola Lopez, Samantha Plastow, Lindsey McCardie, Kirsty Steel, and Rachel Rooney at the World Skills competition.

And the winner is …

Beauty therapy advanced

· Rachel Rooney (1^st place)

· Lindsey McCardie (2^nd place)

· Kirsty Steel (3^rd place)

Aromatherapy

· Lola Lopez (1^st place)

· Samantha Plastow (2^nd place)

Beauty Therapy Intermediate

· Shevon McKenna (2^nd place)

Letter: The Blame Game

Dear Editor

UKIP is cashing in on voters’ discontent over the inability of the TOry/Lib Dem government to maintain and create more jobs and houses. UKIP is directing people’s anger not against the causes of the problems: the system and it’s incapability ti provide jobs and houses.

They are setting people against people, seeking by their actions to maintain that system; the problems of immigration being highlighted as one of the main causes of our increasing poverty, too many people chasing too few jobs, etc. etc. – it is becoming a numbers game.

If one accepts that as the main cause of today’s decline, then the days when things were booming, of rising living standards, must in part be due to immigration labour contributing to it.

Over many, many years the emigration of Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English – whose motives for moving was to find a better life – now can be blamed for the troubles happening in Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, France, etc., – where maybe the numbers game is also being played.

Serious questions do arise about the level of wages and conditions of work that are found in private-run companies whose interests are profit-making as a priority. Public services in the main do have Unions and Associations to try to maintain wages and conditions.

The system of capitalism under which we live cab only continue if the capitalists’ search for ever greater profits is aided by competition, driving down costs by making individuals compete for jobs and security, and nations competing for markets. In this system the problems of jobs and security become a source of conflict in which it is handy to have scapegoats to blame. This is what UKIP is doing; a quick look at modern history blaming sections of people shows just where this can lead.

Real problems do exist and people worry for their families, but the greatest problem is the system itself: it cannot solve the problems it creates, it is time for it to go.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

City hails success of crime crackdown

Police in Edinburgh have hailed the success of an operation targeting drug dealers and serious and organised criminals in the Capital. Operation Amend has resulted in the arrests of 25 people, along with the seizure of around £300,000 worth of drugs and almost £250,000 in cash.

The seizures included quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, as well as a cannabis cultivation. Over £200,000 in cash was recovered from one address in Musselburgh alone.

Police Scotland’s Detective Superintendent Gareth Blair said: “There is no doubt that Operation Amend has struck a serious blow against drug dealers and serious and organised criminals operating in Edinburgh. We have arrested and charged a number of individuals with alleged drugs offences, and removed a significant quantity of drugs from the streets of the Capital.

“Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe, and we will relentlessly pursue all those who we suspect of involvement in drug dealing and serious and organised crime. At the same time we will continue to work closely with our community partners in order to make our communities safer and secure.

“We would ask the public to play their part by providing us with information on drug dealers and serious and organised criminals operating in their community. Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or make an anonymous report though Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “While honest, hard-working members of the public struggle in these challenging financial times, it is galling and distressing to see drug dealers and those involved in serious organised crime flouting their ill-gotten wealth.

“It is thanks to vital information supplied by the public and the hard work of police that serious and organised criminals across Scotland are being identified and brought to justice. Ultimately, it shows that the combined efforts of communities, police, and enforcement agencies all contributes to making Scotland a safer and stronger place to live.”

Councillor Cammy Day, Community Safety Leader, said: “I am very pleased that Operation Amend has been such a success and believe this demonstrates how strengthening community links with the police can make our neighbourhoods safer. It sends a clear signal that drug-related crime will not be tolerated and I would like to thank all members of the community for their support of this very worthwhile initiative.”

Professor Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said: “We continue to work closely with Police Scotland, health services and other agencies throughout Lothian by providing a broad range of services to help and support individuals to address the causes and consequences of problematic drug use.”

Granton next door neighbours band launch first CD

Two next door neighbours from Granton are part of a band who will be launching their first CD next Saturday (11 May, 7.30pm) at Hendersons St John’s on the corner of Princes St and Lothian Road.

Kite and the Crane are an indie-folk band who write songs about beauty in the everyday. North Edinburgh residents might well recognise some local scenes mentioned in their songs, especially in ‘Lights across the way’ which is about watching the planes coming in over the Firth of Forth.

Songwriter Hannah Kitchen said, “We’re really excited about launching our first 5 track CD and would love folk from North Edinburgh to make it along. Many of the songs were inspired by, written, practiced and recorded in North Edinburgh – thanks sometimes to the patience of our neighbours!”

Tickets are £4 or £3.50 concession from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/219051
You can listen to and download ‘Lights across the way’ at www.kiteandthecrane.co.uk

May Day March and Rally tomorrow

Edinburgh and Lothians May Day March and Rally takes place tomorrow (Saturday 4 May). Assemble at top end of Johnston Terrace at 11am, march (led by Stockbridge Pipe Band) at 11.30 and rally at The Pleasance Theatre. All welcome!

Roll up, roll up: breakdance, circus and parkour project to launch in North Edinburgh

G Force, a breakdance, circus and parkour dance project, is to launch in North Edinburgh later this month giving the area’s young people the chance to participate in a six month project where they can train ans learn new skills with some of Scotland’s foremost performers and tutors.

The G Force Project has been developed by the Edinburgh Mela and Bright Night International and is supported by Cashback for Communities. The 16-25 year old participants will have the opportunity to join an intensive training programme culminating in a performance onstage at the Mela’s World Dance Feste tent , at the heart of the 2013 Edinburgh Mela programme. G Force will develop the young people’s skills and confidence, giving them the chance to work with some of the best dancers and performers in Scotland and enhancing their employability. Participants will be given opportunities to progress onto further learning, training and personal development, through existing connections to local organisations and practitioners.

Taster sessions are being held on four dates this month in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts Centre and Duncan Place Resource Centre. These are free of charge and are open to all those aged 16-25 with an interest in dance, acrobatics, parkour and circus.

G Force builds on the success of two key projects at the 2012 Edinburgh Mela: Bright Night International’s hiphop and parkour dance theatre piece 925 , which was creatively led and devised by leading Scottish hiphop artist Xena Gusthart of Xena Productions and commissioned by the Mela for their 2012 World Dance Feste; and The G Code Project, a seven-month collaboration between the Edinburgh Mela and North Edinburgh Arts Mela’s 2012 G Code Project, which offered diverse groups of young people the opportunity to develop their skills as music producers, hiphop artists, singers and rappers, and created a group which still meets and performs.

Free Taster Sessions Dates and Venues:

North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Road, EH4 4TZ

Tuesday 14th May 5pm to 8pm

Saturday 25th May 11am to 2pm

Duncan Place Resource Centre, 4 Duncan Place, Leith, EH6 8HW

Wednesday 15th May 5.30pm to 8.30pm

Wednesday 22nd May 5.30pm to 8.30pm

For further information go to Bright Night International’s website at

www.brightnightinternational.com

Where’s the burdz? Volunteer opportunity!

I am writing from RSPB Scotland, a UK conservation charity. We have a new volunteer opportunity that I thought members of the community might be interested in.

We would like to recruit some volunteers who are interested in helping us campaign for wildlife conservation. We will support them to write to, visit and lobby their local decision makers on our behalf as we prepare to launch a marine conservation campaign to protect seabirds at sea. We hope it will be a great opportunity for volunteers to meet people and gain new skills.

I attach the role description of the opportunity as well as the date of our welcome event. Although I realise that many of your members will already be involved in similar projects, if any of them would like to volunteer or attend the welcome event to find out more they can email champions.scotland@rspb.org.uk.

Please get in touch if you have any questions

Best wishes

Philippa Faulkner (Campaigns Co-ordinator Scotland)

RSPB Scotland

2 Lochside View

Edinburgh Park

Edinburgh EH12 9DH

Tel: 0131 317 4198

Mob:07568100922

Follow us on Twitter @RSPB Scotland

www.rspb.org.uk

Get your votes in: Sainsbury’s seeks local charity partner

Local residents in North Edinburgh have the chance to find Sainsbury’s Blackhall a new local charity to support. It’s the fifth year of the retailer’s ‘Local Charity partner’ initiative, which gives local registered charities the chance to receive a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support from store colleagues.

Customers and colleagues at Sainsbury’s Blackhall have played a big part in the success of the Local Charity partner initiative. Last year, their generous donations helped to raise £ 6,487.00 for St Columba’s Hospice.

Louise Stirton, Senior Fundraising Manager at St Columba’s Hospice (pictured below with Sainsbury colleagues) said: “Working with Sainsbury’s Blackhall over the last twelve months has made such a difference to our cause. They have raised a fantastic amount of money which we are putting towards our new building. A big thank you to all the staff and customers for their generosity.”

There are even more ways to vote this year. Alongside nomination forms and a drop-in box, now available in-store, customers can , for the first time, nominate online – either via downloading a voting form via Sainsbury’s website www.sainsburys.co.uk/localcharity or by emailing their nomination to Local.charity@sainsburys.co.uk.

Sainsburys Blackhall Store Manager David Bainbridge said: “Our work with previous Local Charity partners over the years has been really successful in letting our customers have their say. We hope our customers can take the time to vote in the coming weeks and give a local charity that’s close to their hearts the chance for us to support them”.

The winning charity will be announced in June.

TIPping point – Tenant Information Packs launched

Tenants and landlords in the private rented sector are to benefit from a new Tenant Information Pack (TIP) which will improve access to information on renting and help ensure that accommodation is good quality and well managed.

Launched by Minister for Housing and Welfare Margaret Burgess yesterday, landlords have a legal duty to provide the TIP to new tenants. The easy to read document, which has been made available on the Scottish Government website, contains a summary of legislation relevant to private tenants and landlords.

During a public consultation on its introduction, the TIP received broad cross-sector support as a means of providing consistent and reliable information to tenants, and the TIP will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it provides an accurate, user friendly, summary of housing law.

The launch of the pack is supported by a new website which offers practical renting guides for tenants and landlords in Scotland’s private rented sector. Funded by the Scottish Government, the Renting Scotland website has been created by Shelter Scotland and industry partners and contains key tenant and landlord information on renting in the private rented sector.

Mrs Burgess said: “The Tenant Information Pack provides vital information for tenants and landlords in an easy-to-read format. There is already a lot of good information available to tenants and the pack is not intended to replace existing material, but to create a benchmark for information available across the whole sector.

“The introduction of the pack will contribute towards ensuring that the private rented sector provides good quality and well managed accommodation, where both landlords and tenants understand their respective rights and responsibilities. The Renting Scotland website, which went live today, is another important form of support, offering crucial advice to tenants and landlords.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Association of Landlords said: “We are encouraged by the possibility offered by the Tenant Information Pack to improve and maintain landlord-tenant relationships. The pack is a helpful resource which will raise awareness of both landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.”

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “The introduction of the Tenant Information Pack by the Scottish Government is a positive step forward for tenants and landlords alike, who will be clear on their rights and responsibilities from the day a tenant moves in. By improving access to key information, Tenant Information Packs will build trust and respect on both sides. It will help avoid problems at an early stage and empower tenants as consumers should something go wrong.

“An informed tenant is a good tenant, and likewise a landlord who is aware of their rights and responsibilities can better manage their property to anticipate and avoid problems, allowing both parties to get off to a good start.”