Crown Watch is urging all Kenilworth residents to review the use of their personal computers and ensure they are protecting themselves from scams and online/cyber crime.

The BBC’s Panorama programme outlines the shockingly easy way cyber criminals operate and in doing so shows the need for us to be a lot more focused with passwords  and what information we provide and to who.

You can still see Panorama by clicking on this link here >    http://bbc.in/1Y0p3A6

If you have not seen the programme yet we strongly advise you take some time to do so and then review your passwords and online security.

Crown Watch have just been informed of the following burglaries that have taken place over the past few days.

Common Lane, Kenilworth

Between 17 and 23 October 2015, offenders broke into a home in Common Lane, Kenilworth, after prising open a small upstairs window. Once inside the house, the offenders carried out a search before making off with items of jewellery.

Villiers Road, Kenilworth

Between 5.30pm and 7.40pm on 23 October 2015, offenders entered a home in Villiers Road, Kenilworth, possibly through the rear doors or a small upstairs window. Once inside the house, the offenders carried out a search before making off with several items.

Please keep an eye out for suspicious activity in your neighbourhood and if you do see something that does not appear right or out of the ordinary report it immediately. If there is an immediate danger to life or property then dial 999, otherwise you can contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team on 01926 684404.

Alternatively you can call anonymously by using Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555

In the light of the major “cyber related” theft of personal data you are advised to take steps now to protect your online activity and identity. Thousands of people have had their Bank Accounts rifled and completely emptied.

Although not all Talk Talk customers are affected, many are, and there is a possibility that a Talk Talk customer might inadvertently provide a route that enables accessing a friend or relatives computer and IT profile. Consequently, Crown Watch is advising that you DO NOT wait until something has gone wrong before taking action and making a real difference in protecting your personal information.

It’s only by us working together that we can ensure the best possible deterrent to protect property.

Please take time to read through the attached.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-34615692

Residents are being warned about a new spate of “genuine looking emails” purporting to be from well known High Street Banks. The emails have started landing on people’s computers and smartphones even when they are not customers of the bank the email pretends to come from.

The email asks recipients to click a link within the email.

DO NOT CLICK THE LINK AND OPEN IT!

If you do click and open the link the email may take over your computer, access names and email addresses and use them for their their next victims. Residents are advised that Banks DO NOT send out unsolicited emails so don’t be fooled by how professional they might look. If you are in any doubt then contact your bank before doing anything.

Safeguard your computer or smartphone by sending the unopened email to trash and make sure empty trash to remove it from your machine. We have posted the screen shot of a scam banking email received via email today by a Kenilworth residents.

If you know any vulnerable or elderly residents that use emails please make them aware of the scam emails and above all NOT to respond to such emails in anyway.

Residents are being advised to keep up vigilance and report anything that seems suspicious after a spate of burglaries that have taken place over the past few days. Crown Watch is also advising residents to think seriously about deterrents such as Smartwater and monitored Burglar Alarms.

The details of these latest events are as follows:

Bertie Road, Kenilworth

Between 4.30 and 7pm on 2 October, offenders entered a home in Bertie Road, Kenilworth through open rear French doors and stole an Apple Mac laptop computer from the kitchen diner. This refers to Incident 304 of 5 October 2015
Leyes Lane, Kenilworth

During the night of 2 into 3 October, offenders broke into a home in Leyes Lane, Kenilworth after smashing a dining room window. Once inside, the offenders carried out a search before making off with several items. This refers to Incident 186 of 3 October 2015.

Fishponds Road, Kenilworth

At some point between 30 September and 2 October, offenders removed the panel from the bottom of a rear door at a home in Fishponds Road, Kenilworth and entered the premises. Once inside, the offenders carried out a search before making off with several items. This refers to Incident 96 of 2 October 2015.

Lunn Avenue, Kenilworth

At some point before 1.30pm on 2 October, offenders smashed a window in the kitchen door of a home in Lunn Avenue, Kenilworth and entered the premises. It is not clear if anything was stolen. This refers to Incident 191 of 2 October 2015.

Sunningdale Avenue, Kenilworth

Between 29 September and 4 October, offenders smashed a rear window at a home in Sunningdale Avenue, Kenilworth and entered the premises. Once inside, the offenders conducted a very messy search before making off witn numerous items. This refers to Incident 319 of 4 October 2015.

If you have information that you believe may be connected to any of these incidents, please contact Police on 101, quoting the incident number given. Thank you.