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Letters To Editor:-
"What is going on... Neville Street?"
Dear
Editor,
"Our business has been affected by the ongoing
construction work on Neville Street. We are all fed up with the
dust, lack of work, gas leaks and mess that has resulted from what
is one of the worst timed work programmes going. We are losing trade
and cash rapidly. What we cannot understand is why it will take 16
weeks? They say we were consulted, but yet again, just like the
predestination scheme, we were never asked. How may times will
Sefton make up what they want to hear and do what they want, without
regards to the small businesses in Southport? Please
note that we are all open for business on Neville street." Local
owner of a business on Neville Street (Southport) who does not what
to be named.
Editors
Note.... We have put this topic as our "Weeks News Comments"
topic of the week next week. so please email us your comment
on the above topic.
Teenagers in North West think school dinners are unhealthy!
A massive 74% of
14 to 16 year olds who responded to the snapshot survey on
lettsrevise.com, said school dinners were unhealthy. Less than 25%
of the students thought school dinners were healthy, while just 7%
were unsure.
Peter Stafford from Letts Educational said:- "We have to give teenagers credit for understanding what they should and shouldn't be eating as part of a healthy diet. Our survey shows that there is still a way to go before teenagers feel what they're offered at school fits with their idea of healthy food."
Lettsrevise.com is a specially designed site, aimed at putting a bit
of fun into revision. The quick fire timed multiple-choice quiz, has
a bank of thousands of questions written by Letts Educational
Success Guide authors.
This year the site has an additional section for Key Stage 3
students, which allows 11 to 14 year olds to choose questions from
one subject or from all three of those included in the SATs.
The site also offers the same function for GCSE students, enabling
them to pick one subject to focus on or try a mix of any combination
of up to seven core GCSE subjects.
Revisers can also now receive their test results so they can track
their progress and they can even send the same test to a friend to
see how they get on! Detailed answer feedback tells them what they
got wrong, as well as highlighting the right answer.
To find out more or to view the site, please visit www.lettsrevise.com
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ID FRAUDSTERS DON’T HAVE FEELINGS
BEREAVED relatives are at risk
from identity fraud. It’s now known as ‘Day of the Jackal’ in
the credit industry. It’s deceased identity fraud, which is the
act of stealing the identity of someone who has passed away, in
order to open fraudulent credit accounts. And online credit
information expert, MyEquifax, is warning that it is the biggest
growth area of identity fraud.
Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, www.myequifax.co.uk.
told us that:- “We are particularly concerned about the impact of deceased identity fraud on bereaved relatives when an individual passes
away. There are a number of relatively easy ways that fraudsters can do their research to steal a deceased person’s identity, from checking the death notices in local papers to picking up discarded documents in rubbish. Anyone who has suffered a family bereavement must take care of their loved one’s identity and documentation to ensure that they don’t become a victim twice over.”
Identity fraud is now one of Britain’s fastest growing crimes,
with estimates predicting that it is costing the UK economy more
than £1.3 billion a year. And incidences of ‘Day of the Jackal’
fraud – deceased identity fraud, are, according to a number of
industry sources, increasingly significantly.
CIFAS, The UK’s Fraud Prevention Service estimates that over the
last 4 years there have been nearly 100,000 cases of fraudsters
impersonating the deceased. This involves fraudsters using the
personal details of the individual to open credit card or bank
accounts or apply for financial agreements. The Direct Marketing
Association also estimates that 22 million items of direct mail are
sent to the deceased each year. Identity fraudsters use the details
included in direct mail to impersonate the dead.
The most effective way for an individual to identify if they have
been subject to identity fraud is to obtain a copy of their own
credit file. Facilities also exist for executors to access their
relative’s credit file to ensure their identity hasn’t been
stolen. They can contact MyEquifax by post or telephone and they
will need to provide evidence of their status as an executor and the
deceased’s death certificate. In addition, a relative or executor
can subscribe to the CIFAS Protective Registration Service if they
think the identity of a deceased person is at risk. MyEquifax runs
this on behalf of CIFAS. A notice will be placed on the deceased‘s
credit file informing lenders that there may be a risk of identity
fraud.
“It is the cost to the individual that concerns us most and we are particularly worried that bereaved relatives could be some of the most vulnerable.”
confirmed Neil Munroe.
Top Tips to Prevent Fraudulent Use of a Deceased Relative or Friend’s
Identity
1. When placing death notices, don’t include details such as age,
date of birth, or address. A fraudster to open a new account, or
change the details of an existing one can use this information.
2. Ensure you inform all government departments of the loss and
return pension, benefits allowance books etc by recorded
delivery.
3. Contact all banks and lenders to inform them of the bereavement
and close all accounts.
4. If you decide to take clothing and belongings to a charity shop,
ensure there are no documents or receipts left in pockets, wallets
or bags.
5. All documents including direct mail, television licence, utility
bills and council tax should be shredded before being thrown away.
Fraudsters look through rubbish bins to try to obtain these
documents.
6. Contact the Royal Mail to establish whether there has already
been a mail re-direction set up. A fraudster may have done this to
intercept mail. Organise for mail to be re-directed to a trusted
family member or friend.
7. Sign up to the Mailing Preference Service via:- http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/mps_choosetype.html
or telephone 020 7291 3310 to stop direct mail, including offers of
loans and credit cards being sent to the deceased’s address. This
is a free service..
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