IN THIS ISSUE

Bimonthly Neighbourhood Newsletter of Flagstaff Hill NHW Area 453(Authorised by Australia Post as Official Mail)

APRIL 2021

FLAGSTAFF HILL

Area Co-ordinatorMatt Curnow

SecretaryRay Henderson

Newsletter EditorSimon Twining

Police Co-ordinatorBrevet Sergeant Jarryd Simister

Mail / Email49A Warri Parri Drive

Flagstaff Hill 5159raymondhenderson007@gmail.com

Nearest Police Stations

Sturt Police Station

333 Sturt Rd, Bedford Park

Christies Beach Police Station94 Dyson Rd, Christies Downs

Police Attendance: Ph 131 444

DIAL 000 to report acrime in progress

or has just been committed

Caravan & Recreational

Vehicle Security ....... 1-2

Beware:

‘Vaccination’ Scam ..... 3

Police Incidents ......... 4

NEIGHBOURHOODWATCH AREA 453

NO MEETING DUETO ILL HEALTH

Neighbourhood Watch areaswork against crime: the publicare the eyes and ears for thepolice in our neighbourhood.

Any information the public cangive Police helps in their

investigations.

Community lookingout for each other

It’s important to keep your ‘home awayfrom home’ just as secure as you wouldyour actual house if you were going away.

To help prevent thieves targeting yourcar, caravan, RV and property whilst youare travelling, consider implementingthese security tips:

• Secure your number plates on your car,caravan and RV with tamper-resistantscrews to prevent number plate theft.

The screws have a one-way head whichmeans although they can be tightened tofix the plate, screwdrivers cannot grip inan anticlockwise direction to removethem. Refer to page 15 for moreinformation.

• Install an audible alarm or engineimmobiliser/wireless trailer interface orGPS tracking device in your vehicle(s) soyou can activate it every time you leaveyour vehicle.

• Consider installing additional and ‘veryvisual’ security devices such as keyoperated wheel clamps, tow ball couplinglocks with padlocks, steering locks anddual door handle/locks. These devices candeter a thief from attempting to tamperor steal your property.

• Install an internal light which switcheson automatically when it gets dark tomake the caravan or RV look occupied.You may even install some externalsensor lights for when you are parked inthe bush or away from a caravan park.

• Consider installing a safe in the boot ofyour car or in your caravan or RV for smallervaluables, e.g. mobile phones, iPads,jewellery. Following are some simple tipson keeping a record and being able toidentify all your property that you will betaking on your trip:

• In the event that you become a victim ofvehicle theft during your travels, it’s asimpler process when making a report to

police if you have records of serial, model,VIN, chassis and registration numbersincluding photographs of your vehiclesand property. Make sure to keep theserecords in a secure yet accessible location.

• Most caravans (particularly newermodels) have VIN (17 digits) and chassisnumbers welded onto the ‘A’ frame(drawbar). These numbers identify yourparticular caravan, so if your caravan wasstolen and the thief attempted to sell itthe new buyer would be advised it wasstolen when they attempted to registerthe caravan.

Ensure you record the registration platenumbers of your car, caravan and RV alongwith the VIN and chassis numbers andkeep them secure. Should one of theseitems be stolen, this will make it easier toreport it to police.

• Take clear photos of your car, caravanand RV. Using the camera app on a mobiletelephone is a quick and easy way torecord these images.

• Consider marking or engraving some ofyour property with your driver’s licencenumber prefixed by the letter ‘S’ for SouthAustralia (e.g.‘B23456’ would be‘SB23456’) as a deterrent to thieves.

If your property is stolen and is markedaccordingly, the chances of items beingreturned to you by the police areincreased. Ensure your address details onyour driver’s licence are current.

• Record and photograph the make,model and serial number of electronicequipment, such as GPS devices, laptops,cameras and mobile phones. You maywant to use an ultraviolet (uv) pen onthese delicate items.

Ensure you store this information in a safeplace or with a trusted family member or

CARAVAN & RECREATIONAL VEHICLE SECURITY

continued p.2 ...

2 APRIL 2021

Dr Yog Raman Sareen MBBS, F RACGP

OPENING HOURSMon-Fri 8.30am-9pm

Sat 9.45am-6pm Sun 9.45am-6pm

PH 8270 4000www.aberfoyleparkfp.com.au

5 The Mall, Aberfoyle Park

Dr Rupinder Sekhon Female GP MBBS, FRACGP

Female GPDr Naila Sherwani Female GP MBBS

Dr Feroz Rammal MBBS, FRACGP

Dr Shriniwas Halivagilu MBBS, FRACGP

Disclaimer: This publication has beenprepared as a public service initiative andwhile every care has been taken in itspreparation no warranty is given norrepresentation, either express or implied, maderegarding the accuracy, currency or fitnessfor purpose of the information, adviceprovided and no liability or responsibility isaccepted by the State of South Australia, itsinstrumentalities, South Australia Police (theiragents , of ficers and employees) andNeighbourhood Watch SA (NeighbourhoodWatch Volunteers Assoc. of SA Inc.) for anyloss suffered by any person in consequence ofany use of and reliance placed by any personupon the said information or advice.

Caravan and RV Security (cont’d from p.1)

friend in the event that you may needit. Engravers and ultraviolet pens/torches can be purchased online andin hardware stores. Some items arenot suitable for engraving or marking,e.g. jewellery, silverware andantiques. These items should bephotographed.

• Place a ruler beside the smaller itemswhen photographing them to give anidea of their size. • Don’t forget totake photos of your other propertysuch as bicycles, canoes, surfboards.For your convenience refer to page 16for a Property Record. Consider thefollowing suggestions to assist inmaking your home secure and appear‘lived in’ whilst you’re away:

• Install sensor lights around yourproperty.

• Tidy your garden and trim any treesor shrubs that are close to windows.Heavily shaded windows createexcellent hiding spots for potentialthieves. You may want to consider theservices of a gardener if you will beaway for a long period of time, e.g.cutting lawn.

• Don’t leave your keys or valuableson the kitchen bench or where theycan easily be seen through windowsby thieves. Keep them in a safe placeout of view.

• If you’re travelling with yourcaravan or RV – which is usuallyparked at your home – ensure thatyour trusted neighbours know thatyou are away and when you willreturn. Provide them with yourcontact details should they need tocontact you.

• Consider arranging a house sitteror ask a trusted neighbour for helpto bring the council bins in (if you’veleft them out), collect the deliveriesof your newspapers/ parcels andempty the letterbox daily (if youhaven’t organised for these itemsto be held or redirected).

• Ask your neighbour to ring thepolice on Triple Zero (000)immediately if they see somethingsuspicious. Prior to you leaving yourhome, ensure the following is done:• Close and lock all doors andwindows to your home.

• If you have an alarm, activate it.And for your caravan or RV:

• Secure your valuable items indrawers, cupboards or a safe. Don’tleave them visible in your caravanor RV.

• Draw the curtains closed in yourcaravan or RV so that the interior isnot readily visible to others whenyou make brief stops.

• Ensure items such as canoes,surfboards, fishing rods or tin boats(tinnies) are secured to the roofracks of your car or on/in yourcaravan or RV. Ensure bicycles aresafely secured with a padlockedchain or other security device.

Gas cylinders can be secured in thecylinder bins of your caravan or RVor nestled safely and securely on the‘A’ frame using a keyed padlock. Thesame can be done with spare fuelcontainers.

SOURCE: SAPol

For further crime prevention tips visit:w ww . p o l i c e . s a . g o v . a u / y o u r -sa fe ty /cr i mep r ev e n t i o n - a n d -security

3APRIL 2021

PROUD SUPPORTER OFFLAGSTAFF HILL

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Your Local,Family-run

Quality Butchers

Shop 11, Foodland ShoppingCentre, Ridgeway Drive,

Flagstaff Hill

Phone 8270 8558

Scammers to target Australians over vaccine rolloutBy George Roberts ABC News Online 22 February 2021

There are thousands of fraudsterspreparing to exploit the COVID-19vaccine program, experts say, warningthe scams will look legitimate and thepeople behind them may even knowyour name, phone number and email.

Fraud consultant Gavin Levinsohnsaid scammers were preparing tolaunch the same cons they already haveoverseas.

“We know this because the numberof vaccine-related domains or websiteaddresses that have been set up overthe past few weeks … are in thethousands, which is a precursor tophishing scams related to the imminentdistribution of vaccines,” Mr Levinsohnsaid.

The Australian Competition andConsumer Commission (ACCC)confirmed it already had 16 reports ofvaccine-related scams.

Michael Connory, a cyber securityconsultant and CEO of the companySecurity in Depth, said there was asignificant number of scam emails sentin the UK and US relating to vaccinationprograms.

“[They have] scammed numerouspeople, tens of thousands of peopleover in the UK, as well as in the US,” hesaid.

Perfect ingredients for fraudFraud protection consultants said the

rollout of vaccinations across Australiathis week was giving fraudsters a primeopportunity to pose as healthauthorities.

“Bad actors will look for opportunities— be it tax time or be it the imminentdistribution of vaccines.” Mr Levinsohnsaid.

“Timing, urgency and need areperfect ingredients for fraud.”

Mr Connory said scams would bevery hard to distinguish fromgenuine communication.

“It will look like a legitimate emailcoming from a government agency,”he said.

He said he expected the scamswould convince people to click on alink to give personal information orinstall malicious software thatsteals information.

“Cyber-criminals then take thatpersonal information, and use thatfor things such as identity theft,which is hugely prevalent inAustralia.” Mr Connory said.He said people should expectscammers to call or even text them.

“That text will say something like:‘Hi Michael, here is your COVIDinformation’ with a link,” he said.

“Now because you can’t really seethe link in detail on the text, it’smuch more likely that you will clickon the link, and it will take you to acompromised website.”

“What they’re really looking foris your information, the morepersonal information they have onyou, such as your Medicare details,your driver’s licence, your date ofbirth — they can then utilise thatinformation and attack you from anidentity theft perspective,” he said.

“It happens all the time and it’svery difficult for individuals to beable to pick whether or not that’slegitimate, or it’s fake.”Mr Connory said it was best to treatall communication with caution.

“We would recommend nottrusting it, talk to your local doctor,go on to the Australiangovernment’s [website], the DHSwebsite, and have a look at what’shappening and how things arerolling out,” he said.

APRIL 20214

Police Incidents 1 January - 5 March 2021

Published by Neighbourhood Newsletterswww.neighbourhoodnewsletters.com.au

Advertising enquiries: Mark 0409 916 091Email: mark.bird@optusnet.com.au

SeeInset

Date Location Details

1)

Printed by allBIZ SUPPLIESLonsdale SA Tel: 8326 2899

4)

3)

2)

Theft1. 01/01/2021 Corsair St Vehicle stolen.

2. 25/01/2021 Ridgway Dr Property stolen from rear yard.

3. 05/03/2021 Estate Dr Trailer stolen. Registaration no. S220TAI

Fraud4. 08/02/2021 Georgina St Money sent as payment for puppy from fraudulent

website.

Statewide Facebook PageA Statewide Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page hasbeen launched. Find us athttps://www.facebook.com/NeighbourhoodWatchSA/