Tag: advice

Sextortion: what you can do

Police are aware of incidents of Sextortion in the Edinburgh area. They encourage anyone experiencing this to contact them:

Many people use webcams for business, gaming or to enhance their online chat experience but sometimes people you meet online aren’t always who they say they are.

Sextortion is a type of cyber-enabled extortion which involves the threat of sharing sexual information, images or clips to extort money from you, whether images actually exist or not.

The extortion often takes place when the unknown person (offender) persuades you (the victim) to remove your clothes in front of your webcam and/or perform sexual acts.

You believe this to be a private act – but it is not.  The offender, unbeknown to you (the victim) is recording everything that you do. 

Very soon afterwards the offender will threaten you. They may demand money and threaten to share the images or videos with your friends on social media, or share publicly.

What can YOU do to reduce the likelihood of it happening?

  • Be sensible when using the internet. Only activate your camera when you want to. Make sure it is ‘off’ at all times when not required. Never allow yourself to be duped into activity that you will later regret.
  • If using video chat apps, be alert to the fact that ‘contacts’ are not always who they say they are. If you allow a relationship to develop be guarded if unusual requests are made of you.
  • If you use online chat rooms looking for a person to chat with – be careful about any relationship that you form and in particular if you are asked to transfer to a different chat platform.
  • Some online chat rooms have a visual contact facility so if you are looking for a person to chat with and allow a relationship to form – be guarded on what you say and do.
  • Relationships are quick to develop. End any that you are not comfortable with – stay in control of what you do.
  • If you make a mistake, you have doubts or you need support or advice – contact the Police or a support agency immediately.

REMEMBER – what goes on the internet stays on the internet – forever.

What to do if you’re a victim of sextortion

  • Do NOT panic. You have already taken the first big step by recognising you are the ‘victim’ in this and that you may require support to help you through this difficult time. The Police will take your case seriously, will deal with it in confidence, and you will not be judged
  • Do NOT pay. Although some victims who have paid what the offenders have demanded and hear no more about it, many others who have paid have then continued to receive further and often increasing demands. In some cases, even when the demands have been met the offenders will still go on to post the videos or images anyway
  • Do NOT communicate further with the offenders. Obtain screen shots of any communication, preserve evidence. Make a note of all details provided by the offenders, for example; the Skype name (particularly the Skype ID), the Facebook URL; the Western Union or MoneyGram Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN); any photos/videos that were sent, etc. Be aware that the scammer’s Skype name is different to their Skype ID, and it’s the ID details that police will need. To get that, right click on their profile, select ‘View Profile’ and then look for the name shown in blue rather than the one above it in black. It’ll be next to the word ’Skype’ and will have no spaces in it.
  • Deactivate your social media account and use the online reporting process to report the matter to the platform to have any video blocked and to set up an alert in case the video resurfaces. Deactivating the Facebook account rather than shutting it down will ensure data is preserved and will assist law enforcement in obtaining evidence. The account can also be reactivated at any time ensuring online memories are not lost forever
  • Report the matter to the Police and your online service provider. If the blackmail is occurring through a social network, also alert the administrator.

Remember that you’re the victim of organised criminals – you’re not alone and confidential support is available. You can get through this.

Further help and support

If this has happened to you and you’re under 18 please talk to an adult that you trust. It may feel like there is no way out, but there are professionals who can help you. Whether you are a concerned Parent, a worried friend or a child or young person who has been affected by online sexual abuse you can report your concerns to CEOP.

If you have already reported your concern to your local statutory service, including children’s social services or the police, you do not need to make a report to CEOP. Further information available HERE.

Additional information, help and support available from:

COVID: Getting Help

Dear Friends,

Hope you are well.

The coronavirus pandemic has been challenging and difficult for us all.

To help during this difficult time, we are hosting an online event called: How to Get Help During COVID Times.

There will be speakers from ELREC projects and representatives from other charities such as SACRO and Shelter Scotland.

The timetable for this event is as follows:

5:00 Welcome

5:10 ELREC Open Arms speaking on wellbeing

5:20 ELREC Support & advice/discrimination

5:30 Sacro on BAME hate crime

5:40 Shelter Scotland on Housing

5:50 Q&A

6:00/10 Closing time


Get your ticket here:https://covid19help.eventbrite.co.uk
Confirm your attendance here: https://fb.me/e/7EChMuhXG

Please share within your network.
Thank you very much, see you there!

Kind regards,

Franciele Sobierai

Administrator, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council
14 Forth Street Edinburgh EH1 3LH
Tel 0131 556 0441

Franciele@elrec.org.uk

Breakdown advice for motorists

As the days get shorter and colder, motorists are being offered advice on what they should do if they breakdown.

The experts at LeaseCar.uk have put together their tips to give drivers a helping hand if they find themselves ground to a halt.

Advice varies slightly depending on whether cars are on the motorway or driving in the countryside, but the overriding rule is to find somewhere safe to stop.

Among other advice is to get out of the vehicle and ensure the car is visible to others on the road.

Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “Breaking down can be overwhelming particularly if it’s cold, the weather conditions are poor and you’re not sure where you are.

“The general rules are to pull over somewhere safe and to make sure the vehicle is visible to other road users. If you have breakdown cover, call them to get the recovery in process.

“What you do next very much depends on where you’ve broken down and how vulnerable you and your passengers feel.”

Here is LeaseCar.uk’s breakdown advice:

1. Stop safely

It’s important to get your car off the road, if you can, to avoid obstructing traffic and causing any unnecessary incidents. That can be harder on a motorway but where possible pull off at the next exit or onto the hard shoulder, stopping as far to the left as you can.

2. Make your car visible

Your car needs to be visible to other motorists, particularly if it’s dark or the weather conditions are poor. Make sure hazard lights are on and sidelights if it’s dark or foggy. Do not put a warning triangle out – the priority is to get off the road.

3. Stay safe

The advice is to get out of your car using the doors furthest away from the traffic and wait behind a barrier. If you’re on a motorway, try and move up a bank where possible. Leave any animals in the car.

4. Be seen
if you have high vis jackets or waistcoats, put them on so you’re seen.

5. Warning triangles

If you’re on a motorway, do not use a warning triangle – your priority is to get away from traffic. If you’re on a quieter road and it’s safe, a triangle can be placed at least 45m behind your vehicle.

6. On a smart motorway

Smart motorways use technology to manage and keep an eye on the flow of traffic. The hard shoulder may be used as an extra lane, so if you breakdown and can’t get off the road, pull into one of the emergency refuge areas. If it’s safe, get out of the car. If you breakdown in a live lane, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and call for help.

7. In a city

Try to find a safe spot and put on your hazard lights. Open the bonnet if you can to show others you’ve broken down and you’re not just waiting by the side of the road.

8. In the countryside

If you are not causing an obstruction, there’s no need to put your hazard lights on. Instead stay in your car until recovery arrives. If you feel at risk, lock the doors.

9. In a car park

This is one of the safest places to breakdown. Open your bonnet so the recovery vehicles can find you. If you don’t want to stay with your car, wait by the entrance and you can guide the breakdown team to your vehicle.

Could Help to Heat help someone you know?

This winter will be one of the most difficult in living memory with lockdown and increasing unemployment forcing more people to spend time in homes they can’t afford to heat and potentially ending up in hospital. Many people will use more, pay more and owe more, while earning considerably less.

Yesterday was Fuel Poverty Awareness Day and Scottish Gas Networks is raising awareness of how we can make sure our communities stay safe and warm this winter.

This includes our Help to Heat scheme, which supports those struggling to make ends meet by providing funding to connect some households to our gas network for free. In some cases, we can also fully or partially fund a gas central heating system.

According to National Energy Action (NEA), the same health conditions impacted by cold indoor temperatures will place people at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

Coping strategies which people normally use to get through the cold winter months, such as only having one heated room for the family to socialise in, could also increase the spread of infection.

This not only threatens even more lives but hampers collective efforts to reduce infection and prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed. Some households also take risks by using unsafe heating sources such as a cooker or outdoor patio heater to get warmed up, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning or start fires.

In 2017/18, excess winter deaths exceeded 50,000 across the UK, and the NEA estimates that 17,000 people died because they were unable to keep adequately warm at a reasonable cost. This winter, that figure could be far greater as people self-isolate in a cold home in response to COVID-19.

It’s important to us that our communities are safe and warm this winter and we want to help people to reduce their heating costs.

Heating a home with electricity is proven to be three times more expensive than it would be with a gas central heating system, so could you or someone you know benefit from a free connection to our gas network?

Mr R, a father of two from Winchester, received funding for a gas connection and A-rated central heating system from SGN’s Help to Heat Scheme. Mr R said: “I found the scheme while my heating was being temperamental. When we found out we could get the funding me and my wife were very happy, it was a huge relief. The heating system install was actually rushed through because eventually our old oil boiler just broke.”

The family had their brand new energy efficient heating system installed during the coronavirus pandemic, with emergency work continuing to ensure they weren’t left without heating.

“The contractors were great, I was really happy with the installation, it all ran very smoothly. I was really happy with Felicity on the phone, she took control of my install and I’m thrilled with the outcome, it worked out brilliantly!”

To find out if you or someone you know is eligible for a free gas connection and gas central heating from our Help to Heat scheme, visit sgn.co.uk/HelptoHeat, or call YES Energy Solutions on 0800 015 5174 to speak to a Help to Heat advisor.

You can also email our team at HelptoHeat@sgn.co.uk with your name and contact details.

If you’re already connected to our gas network, you can receive free independent support to assess your energy bills and consumption.

We work with established partners to help you to reduce your utility costs and help you to stay safe and warm this winter. Find out more at sgn.co.uk/extra-help

Police Scotland advice: Time to review your home security

As we approach the festive period and darker nights, it’s a good time to review security of your home, says Police Scotland.

Do you keep your keys in view of a window? If you have an alarm, do you use it, is it zoned? Have you recorded the serial numbers for your electrical equipment? Are your valuables easily accessible? Have you uploaded your photos to the cloud or onto a hard drive? Here’s a few tips

:• Ensure your locks are tested to British Standard or meet the needs of your insurance company.

• Keep doors and windows locked.

• Keep car keys secure and hidden.

• If you are out whilst it is dark, consider fitting light timers or leaving a light on.

• Fit outside security lights, either motion senor or dusk to dawn.

• Window locks should be fitted where appropriate and used all the time. Do not leave the key in the lock.

• Mark all the electrical equipment with an ultraviolet marker pen

• At the front of the house hedges or trees should be trimmed or cropped so as not to provide cover for thieves.

• Laptop computers and mobile phones are favourite housebreaking targets. These should be locked away or removed from view. Add tracking software to smart phones, laptops and Ipads to aid in the recovery of these items

• Consider investing in a safe or strong box for storage of cash and valuables. A safe should be securely fixed to the fabric of the building and should only be used for short-term storage of cash.

• Consider an intruder alarm system. More info can be found here www.nsi.org.uk or www.ssaib.org

• Secure your shed and all tools (may be used to force entry).

• Consider a shed alarm.

• Consider joining www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

If you see anyone acting suspiciously contact the police immediately with a description of any person or vehicle involved.

Call 999 if an emergency or 101 to report the matter to the police. Further advice – https://www.scotland.police.uk/…/home…/secure-your-home/

Six tips for a successful shop this Black Friday

Black Friday shoppers have been encouraged to pay on credit card, do their research before the day and be wary when it comes to some deals this year.

Penny pinching pros from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have revealed six helpful tips to make a successful Black Friday haul.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday is one of the best weekends of the year to spend money due to the bargain prices many shops offer.

It’s important, however, to stay as safe as you can whilst shopping and to make sure that the deals are actually deals. 

A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Black Friday weekend is one of the best times to buy presents for Christmas, but it can get busy quickly. 

“Many shoppers are expected to ditch the shops and buy online this year due to the current coronavirus restrictions, so it’s important to do your research before the weekend.

“By following our tips hopefully you’ll make Santa jealous with your haul of presents, all whilst keeping your bank account happy too!”

These are NetVoucherCodes.co.uk tips to stay safe and have an enjoyable weekend shopping:

1. Make a list

It can be very easy to go blind when you’re confronted with lots of offers. Before Black Friday, make a list of who you need to buy for, or what you want to buy. This will make it more difficult to over buy. You could even have a browse and write down pre-Black Friday prices. Browse around and compare prices, then make a note of the best two websites that stock the products. If it sells out before you have chance to buy it you’ll have a back-up store ready.

2. Social Media

Many brands will be advertising their deals on social media in the lead up to Black Friday. Some may even offer exclusive deals to their followers. If you have the option to follow local stores, this may mean you can enjoy deals exclusive only to individual shops.

3. Start early

Some shops have been known to start their Black Friday deals up to a week before the big day. Sometimes it can pay to buy a few smaller items on these days, so on Black Friday you’ll have more time to trawl through the offers.

4. Be wary

If there’s a deal which looks too good to be true, it probably is. Just because there’s a deal on doesn’t mean you have to buy.  It’s easy to think that because an item is reduced on one site then it’s a great deal. It may only be reduced by a small amount or may be even cheaper elsewhere. If you have the time to shop about, do it. Using a price tracking website will let you look at a product’s price history so you can see if it is a great deal or not.

5. Voucher sites

Although some of the offers may seem great already, your bank account isn’t going to say no if you can save even more money! Spend some time going through voucher sites which could help you get even more of a discount on your Black Friday shopping. Write down any codes next to relevant items on your list. This will help speed up the checkout process when it comes to the big day.

6.Card

If you’re planning on making your purchases online, it’s important to consider which card you will be using. If you pay with a credit card or via PayPal you’ll have more protection if anything goes wrong. 

Streetwear brand make their mark following Business Gateway support

Two Midlothian based entrepreneurs have successfully launched a new clothing brand following support from Business Gateway.

Launched in April 2020, MC Apparel is a fashion clothing brand created by Midlothian locals Michael Surgeon and Liam Chisholm. The team identified the opportunity and were motivated to launch their second business after their first paused trading due to COVID-19. 

Working closely with Business Gateway, MC Apparel received a variety of start-up support services including support to create a business plan, marketing and networking opportunities, as well as accessing online resources such as webinars and advertising tutorials. 

This guidance from Business Gateway ensured the team were able to adapt their business model to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic and increase margins by shifting from early drop-shipping to stock holding, this enabled  MC Apparel to improve quality control and reduce delivery timescales for customers.

Michael Surgeon, Founder of MC Apparel, said: “We gained a wide range of support from Business Gateway and this meant the process of launching our new business went smoothly.

“ The team at Business Gateway Midlothian have been very supportive during this period and the online workshops we attended were invaluable, helping us to develop a digital marketing strategy that allowed us to reach our target audiences even with the challenges of lockdown.

“I would recommend anyone who is starting out in business to get in touch with Business Gateway. They are always there when you need them and if they don’t have the answer, they can signpost you to the right person or resource.”

When COVID-19 restrictions ease, the team at MC Apparel are looking forward to organising photoshoots to showcase the clothing range and have plans to collaborate with local fashion brands to give away 20 t-shirts to support a local charity.

Annie Watt, Business Gateway Lead Officer, said: “It’s impressive to see how Michael and Liam have adapted to lockdown, identifying an opportunity to launch a new business and taking it forward. 

“They have been incredibly proactive, accessing a range of Business Gateway resources, attending workshops and arranging one-to-one sessions via Zoom to receive guidance and support on development plans.

“Recent research by Business Gateway revealed that despite the challenges, COVID-19 has not hampered peoples’ appetite to start a business, and Michael and Liam’s experience is a testament to this.

“While it is a difficult trading environment, I would encourage anyone with an idea for a new business to get in touch and see how our resources, advice and support can help get it off the ground.”

For further information about how Business Gateway can help you start your business, please visit https://www.bgateway.com/resources/help-for-start-ups-the-support-available-for-your-start-up

Free financial health checks with local financial planner

To celebrate Financial Planning Week 2020 (5-11 October 2020) and World Financial Planning Day (7 October 2020), wealth manager Charles Stanley is offering free one-hour consultations with a financial planner.

Advisers in the Edinburgh office will be on hand to help people understand how they can achieve financial wellbeing and identify what steps they need to take to help reach their future goals. 

With the market and future so uncertain due to the Covid pandemic, many people are looking at their financial situation as their circumstances are changing, but planning finances can appear daunting and getting it wrong could be very costly. 

Anyone with questions around areas such as retirement, savings and investments or estate planning and inheritance, might benefit from getting an outside expert view.

Sam Cowan, Financial Planner at Charles Stanley says: “Many people think that only very wealthy people need advice, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Anyone planning for life milestones such as buying a home, planning for retirement or saving for their children’s university education can benefit. 

“There have been a number of tax and pension changes over the last year which can be complex which means people often miss out on available options and getting advice can really pay off and make a difference to your financial future.”

To book a video or telephone appointment for a free one-hour, introductory meeting call 0203 553 7384, email or fill in the form through our website. Appointments are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis. 

Top 10 reasons to see a financial planner:

  1. Retirement:  Avoid common retirement planning traps and get help in making crucial decisions such as whether it’s better to buy an annuity and how to get the best deal or if it’s better to draw money from your pension without buying an annuity to secure your future income.  Some people may be considering, or forced to consider, early retirement and need help in putting their affairs in place. 
  2. Pension planning: many people are notputting enough aside to ensure the retirement they ideally want, while others want help in transferring their pensions from one scheme to another and consolidating them.

3. Inheritance:  whether you have inherited a sum of money and want to make the most of it, or if you want to plan ahead for passing on your estate to make sure your loved ones get as much of your hard-earned money as possible, it is worth getting advice.   The sooner you start planning, the more options you have to minimise the amount of inheritance tax that might be due, such as looking at trusts or lifetime gifts and annual exemptions.  Similarly, if the main or sole earner in your household has passed away you may need help in sorting out your financial affairs.

4.       Children’s savings:  saving little and often from an early age can build into a substantial nest egg by the time your children leave school.  Explore the most tax-efficient options of saving, from JISA’s to pensions, and whether cash or stocks and shares solutions are the most appropriate for your needs. 

5.       Preparing for life milestones: whether you are looking at buying your first home, changing career, starting a family, paying for your child’s education or planning for retirement, it’s important to make sure you are financially prepared. Take time to set goals and think about what your priorities are to put the best savings scheme in place for your life ambitions.

6.       Succession planning: having a succession plan in place is crucial to safeguard a continued smooth running of your business or estate.  Transferring a business to a new owner can have significant tax implications, so it’s important to understand how the funds from the sale of your company may tie into your own personal wealth objectives.

7.       Tax-efficiency:  tax rules are complex and there are a number of tax allowances and exemptions to be aware of, to ensure you are not paying more tax than you should be.  From Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Inheritance Tax (IHT) to Charitable Giving and tax-efficient saving, there many ways to make sure you are taking advantage of all the legitimate tax breaks you are entitled to. 

8.       Long-term care planning: with the onus increasingly on the individual to meet some or all of the expense of long-term care should it be needed, there are a number of options to consider, from covering the costs from savings and investments or taking a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) with the local authority to equity release or taking out an immediate care annuity.  By planning early, you can ensure you are prepared. 

9.       Divorce:  going through a divorce is a stressful transition and a financial planner can be invaluable when it comes to cataloguing assets and advising on potential distribution, as well as other important factors, to ensure you are in the best possible financial position going forward. 

10.   Lifestyle protection:  make sure your family is protected and reduce the burden of life-changing events by arranging flexible protection policies to provide peace of mind such as life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection.

How to choose a financial planner

  • Get a recommendation:  speak to family and friends and see if they can recommend anyone.
  • Check qualifications and expertise
  • Get references:  speak to existing clients and check if they advise any clients in a similar situation to you.
  • How do they charge?  Make sure you get a breakdown of their charges and that you fully understand what you are getting for your money.
  • The psychology of money:  can the financial planner work out a financial life plan for you and create a vision for the future with a related financial plan?
  • Meet them:  make sure you feel they understand you and what you are trying to achieve.  Establishing a relationship with a financial planner you can trust is critical to achieving your goals.  Make the most of free consultations.
  • Do the understanding test:  make sure they explain everything clearly and don’t use jargon.  If you can explain their advice to a family friend, and if they understand it and can sense check it for you, then that’s a good way of checking that advice is sound.
  • What do you really, really want?  be clear about the advice you are looking for and what you hope to gain from the meeting and make sure they can offer it and are focused.
  • Check they are regulated:  they should be authorised by the FCA so check they are on its Register.

Men’s Shed Covid-19 Poster Resource Pack now available

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has released a Covid-19 poster resource pack for Men’s Sheds in Scotland.

The Association is still advising Men’s Sheds to remain closed in Phase 3 however, a recent SMSA poll – on the reopening of Sheds in Scotland – identified that 15% of the Sheds that responded are already open within the Scottish Government’s Guidelines for Phase 3.

The resource pack – currently containing 25 individual posters – will allow Sheds that are open to print off and prominently display the posters that they require for their Shed premises but also help those Sheds considering opening in the future to prepare in advance.

The SMSA is in ongoing discussions with the Scottish Government regarding the closure of Sheds and the health and safety of Shedders during the pandemic.

SMSA is currently working on the guidance (including risk assessments) for Sheds which will be issued at the appropriate time in line with Scottish Government guidance.

Download the Poster Resource Pack

Expansion of free debt advice service

More people will be able to benefit from free debt advice following investment from the Scottish Government. More than £2.4 million will be distributed among a number of advice organisations to expand their services and invest in more effective methods to help individuals with problem debt.

The investment will assist projects offering face to face advice using video calls and projects aimed at moving debt solution processes online. This investment will also help the debt advice sector to manage the expected increase in demand as a result of the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).

AdviceUK will be one of the new recipients of funding and has 70 Scottish-based partners who will now be able to extend their services.

Minister for Communities Aileen Campbell said: “I am pleased that this funding will enable more people to access free debt advice, especially as we expect to see increased demand on these services due to the long term effects of COVID-19.

“Our Debt Advice Routemap sets out our vision for a user-friendly and collaborative free debt advice system in Scotland. Through this additional investment we aim to distribute funds across Scotland, focusing on those hardest to reach, including those who maybe have never sought advice before.

“Debt advice services are looking at innovative new approaches, using technology and new ways of working. I would encourage anyone who finds themselves struggling with problem debt to seek help at the earliest opportunity.”

AdviceUK Executive Director Chilli Reid said: “AdviceUK warmly welcomes this funding from the Scottish Government, which will make a huge difference to people struggling with money worries.

“Our members serve communities across Scotland, and this investment will support them in their vital work tackling child poverty, supporting households on low incomes, and helping those most exposed to the impacts of COVID-19.”

The funding is part of the Financial Services Levy for debt advice which has been increased by the UK Government in response to the expected growth in demand for free debt advice due to the long-term effects of COVID-19.

The funding was devolved to the Scottish Government in 2019 and the Debt Advice Routemap was launched to help improve access to services across Scotland.

Established in 1979, Advice UK is the largest network of independent advice providers in the UK.

Granton Information Centre has continued to provide an advice service throughout the coronavirus lockdown, supporting people with debt, housing and employment issues.

If you need help to deal with mounting debts, or are unclear about which benefits you may be entitled to, call Granton Information Centre on 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458 or you can email info@gic.org.uk