This year’s challenge lets everyone be a Circus Star! Look out at our local Library and in school for all the information you will need to take part in the challenge which starts on 16 July and runs until 18 September. Join all the fun and performance of the Circus, read your 6 books and collect your very own medal and certificate.

Roll up at any local library from Saturday 16 July to sign up and get your free fold out Circus Stars stage set.

Alongside the challenge, libraries will be holding free drop in activities – check our What’s On listings for local dates or www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries for more information:

• Clowning Around: crafts and fun
• Take to the stage and have a go at circus skills with Joshua (this activity is only suitable for KS2 children)
• It’s Showtime! Design and make your own big top

For more circus adventures log on to www.circus-stars.org.uk

It’s fun, it’s free and it’s going to be the greatest show on earth!

Swindon Police Station is warning of a very convincing card scam and are spreading the news to make as many people aware as possible. It is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all the information, except the one piece they want. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it. This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & MasterCard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you’ll be better prepared to protect yourself.

“One of our employees was called on Wednesday from “VISA”, and I was called on Thursday from “MasterCard”. The scam works like this:
Person calling says, “This is (name), and I’m calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I’m calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank) did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for £497.99 from a Marketing company based in London ?” When you say “No”, the caller continues with, “Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from £297 to £497, just under the £500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?” You say “yes”.
The caller continues – “I will be starting a fraud investigation”.

If you have any questions, you should call the 0800 number listed on the back of your card (0800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number. “Do you need me to read it again?”

Here’s the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works the caller then says, “I need to verify you are in possession of your card.”He’ll ask you to “turn your card over and look for some numbers.” There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he’ll say, “That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?” After you say, “No,” the caller then thanks you and states, “Don’t hesitate to call back if you do”, and hangs up You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the Card number .

“But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did!

“The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of £497.99 was charged to our card. Long story – short – we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don’t give it to them . Instead, tell them you’ll call VISA or MasterCard directly for verification of their conversation.

“The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you’re receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you’ll see charges for purchases you didn’t make, and by then it’s almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

“What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a “Jason Richardson of MasterCard” with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn’t let him finish I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA.”

“The police are taking several of these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we know that this scam is happening. Please pass this on to all your family and friends.. By informing each other, we protect each other.”

BSM editor: As I received this warning in a personal email to myself, I have just spoken to Swindon Police Station to verify this is current before publishing.

Gablecross, Shrivenham Road South Marston Swindon Wiltshire SN3 4RB
Telephone: 0845 408 7000

Shoppers are being advised to be on their guard against thieves in a new car park distraction scheme. It involves thieves watching shoppers pay for goods at supermarkets and retail outlets to obtain PIN numbers, then preying on momentary lapses of concentration when they return to their vehicles.

PC Stephanie Mitchell said: “After unloading their shopping bags, people have been approached by a man, or a man and a woman, asking for directions. Whilst distracted, an accomplice removes credit cards and purses from handbags that have often been left on the passenger seat of the unlocked car. Often the victims – usually women on their own – don’t even notice anything is missing until much later.”

The most recent incident took place at ASDA, Longwell Green on Tuesday July 12. Police are keen to speak to a man and a woman with Eastern European accents. The man is described as between 20 and 25 years old, 5ft 4inches tall with a slight build. He was clean shaven with short, dark brown hair, wearing jeans and a jacket. The woman is described as white, 20 – 25 years old, 5ft 3in tall with a slight build and shoulder length fair hair.

Police are now urging shoppers to take simple precautions to prevent themselves becoming victims.

They advise:

• Always ensure that you do not allow people to see you enter your PIN number when withdrawing money from a cash machine or paying for goods at the counter.
• Ensure your car is locked at all times, even when only walking a short distance from the vehicle (returning a shopping trolley, paying for car park ticket or paying for fuel).
• Do not leave the PIN number, or anything that could be interpreted as a PIN number in your purse, wallet or bag or with your credit/debit cards.
• Be vigilant when you are going shopping, both in the store and outside in the car park.

Police say that if you notice any people acting suspiciously in a car park, especially if in a group of two or more, advise the store security officers or you believe you may have been a victim of a car park scam, contact the police.