Update from Business Watch

We have received the attached update from the local police:

Protect Your Money - December Update
Attached is a new publication for members of business and shop watches in Hertfordshire. It includes a summary and advice for dealing with scams currently operating and targetting businesses. This edition of the newsletter includes :
1. Protect your business againts invoice redirection fraud
2. Advice on tackling cyber crime
3. Bogus bailiffs collecting phantom debt
4. How to visit the Hertfordshire Constabulary " Protect your business website" www.herts.police.uk/crimeprevention

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page on the OWL website.
•    Business Watch Fraud Update (329 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk

Recent Success in Local Fraud Detection
We want to make you aware that  in the past week two banks in Rickmansworth have successfully thwarted attempts by residents  to take out large sums of money to pay to fraudsters. Many OWL messages are sent out warning members to be on their guard againts fraud. In addition your local Safer Neighbourhood Team Police Officers have been visiting banks to make staff aware of particular frauds in the area and that local persons may be falling victim to them.
Please continue to remain alert and look out for the elderly and vulnerable who may become victims to these scams. Working together and looking out for each other clearly pays off. Fortunately two residents have not parted with large sums of money to fraudsters.

If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk

Cyber Security for Businesses
Please find attached a single sheet document that briefly sets out a range of advice sources and resources that are available to help protect businesses from cyber crime.
This government produced a document that covers the following topics:

•    Cyber Essentials Scheme
•    10 Steps to Cyber Security (guidance for large organisations)
•    Small Businesses: What You Need To Know About Cyber Security
•    Cyber Streetwise campaign
•    Free online training for small businesses
•    Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CISP)
•    Cyber Security Innovation Vouchers

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page on the OWL website.
•    Cyber Security Advice for Businesses (113 KB)
If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: derrick.sweeney@herts.pnn.police.uk
 

News from Herts Police Business Watch.

We have received this message from the local Police:

Currently there are over 92,000 households signed up to Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) in Hertfordshire and 2,000 members signed up to Business Watch on the Online Watch Link (OWL). We are looking to increase membership and further develop the service provided to Business Watches which include Shop Watches both across the county and locally.   If you have any feedback you wish to pass on as a member of a Business Watch I would be grateful if you could e mail me at Patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk  with any ideas and suggestions on how to further develop and where necessary improve the scheme.   I would also be interested to know if you find the current messages of value and if not what additional messages and information do you require. Any positive feedback is also welcome. Some of these suggestions and ideas can be implemented immediately.
 A Business Watch Steering Group is also soon to be formed to take suggestions and ideas forward as well as looking at other opportunities to support Business Watches across the county of Hertfordshire.  It will be useful to have a few existing members of Business Watches on the group. If you are interested in being part of that steering group on a voluntary basis  and wish to discuss in more detail please contact me. The group will meet three or four times a year.
I would also like to know if any businesses including retail businesses would like readily identifiable branded logos to display on their premises and in windows  to identify that they  are a member of the scheme similar to the well known NHW logo.  Attached is a proposed Business Watch logo for Hertfordshire that could become available for those who wish to use it.   It can also be adapted for street signs in watch areas.
I would like to reassure you that, like NHW, membership of Business Watch on OWL is free for both existing and new members.

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page on the OWL website.
•    Business Watch logo (200 KB)

You can contact Business Watch at patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk