Settle District U3A

Your Bank or the Police will NEVER ask: for pin numbers; bank details; help with investigations; or anything like that. If a caller says they are from your Bank or the Police don't do anything they tell you to do. Hang up and use a different phone to check with someone you trust

With the better weather you'll want to do more work in the garden but watch out for nesting birds. The Police have reminded us that it is against the law to disturb them so we are asked to put off tree removal and hedge cutting until the autumn just in case.

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has launched a holiday fraud campaign: Holiday fraud | Action Fraud. If you are looking for a holiday deal online look out for suspiciously enticing offers online or on social media, Research before booking!

Some of the scam phone calls, emails or messages we receive can be very convincing but keep your wits about you. If you have any doubts at all about the validity of any of these calls or messages check them out with someone you trust. Better safe than sorry.

January's Monthly Meeting features a fascinating talk from Pippa Doran on how early modern artists made a living: "Murder, money, saints and succour". 10.30 am on Thursday 9th January 2025 at St John's Church Hall, Settle. Tea and coffee from 10 am.

HMRC scams are doing the rounds again. If you receive a communication claiming to be from HMRC that asks for your personal information or is offering a tax rebate, check the advice on gov.uk/ to help identify if it’s a scam.

Thanks to deepfake technology scammers can produce adverts featuring people like Martin Lewis selling investment opportunities. If you see one of these too-good-to-true adverts assume it is fake and check it with someone savvy who you trust.

Ignore any texts you receive telling you to pay a parking fine and suggesting the fine will increase if not paid within 28 days. The message will come from a mobile number starting 07 and includes a link to an official-looking Government website. But it's a scam. Ignore it.

The latest scam doing the rounds is a call from “Your mobile phone provider” offering a 25% discount on all of your calls, messages and mobile data. The caller will ask for your address and bank details but don't give them. It's a scam. Check with your phone provider if in doubt.

If you get one of these notices ignore it: it's a scam.

Some good advice here for all of us who use social media: members.northyorkshirecommun….

If you receive any calls, emails, social media messages or letters, asking you to purchase gift cards to pay for something discontinue the communication immediately. It's a scam. Legitimate businesses will never ask you to make transactions using gift cards.

Don't get caught out: if a family member or friend makes an unusual request on WhatsApp, always call them outside of WhatsApp to confirm it really is them making the request. It could be a fraudster.

Thinking of making an investment but not sure whether it is legitimate? Before committing to anything check with the Financial Conduct Authority's Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768.

Our monthly talk, on Thursday this week (9 May), features Professor Nina Wardleworth on the history and work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The feedback we've had from other u3as suggests we're in for a very interesting morning.

Here's another text to ignore if you get it. The Post Office haven't sent it so DON'T click on the link:

If you receive a message like this - IGNORE IT! It's a scam:

Beware of emails with offers to win Tupperware sets. However authentic they look the links in these emails will download malware or take you to malicious websites designed to steal your personal information.

Online quizzes are everywhere at the moment but be careful with them - some are the work of scammers. Ignore any quiz that asks for instance for the name of your first school or pet - anything that you might use as reminders for lost passwords.

Thinking about holidays? Don't get caught out. Before you book check out Get Safe Online's Holidays Leaflet at members.northyorkshirecommun…