Dear Members

Please be advised that as from 1 March 2008, the CCPO has no option but to charge VAT on contributions. This will mean that households will pay R114 and Flats R57. Businesses will also have 14% added to their contributions. Debit orders will automatically be increased so there is no need for members to do anything from their side. We confirm that no increase in CCPO contributions will be affected on our anniversary of June 2008, however, an increase can be expected again in January 2009.

Thank you for your understanding.

Tracy Campbell
CCPO Office Administrator

Dear Members,

The message you should have got from Google asked if you wanted to be part of the mailing list for CCPO. You had to click on the yes and then you will automatically be placed on the list. If you find you are not getting the mail any more then you need to go onto the Google site for CCPO and add your name.

We are still trying to find someone who can sponsor at least one vehicle although we need two. Les is still using Bruce Lithgow’s bakkie, but we need our own. Thank you again Bruce.

Please Community, speak to any one you know who may be able to help us. Although we have approached the government we have still heard nothing. What ideas do you have for us in solving this problem?

Well by now the greater part of the country are home again and everyone is back from wonderful holidays we hope.

The household crime was much quieter than we had experienced over November and the first two weeks of December. Car theft went sky high in the December month with 70 odd cars being stolen.

Our guards were stretched to the limit, trying to cover all the extra activity in the area. We would like to thank all those connected with crime reaction, such as the SAPS, Metro Police, The dog and motor bike squad’s and all the local crime response companies who have worked alongside of CCPO and the Secure Logic guards in an effort to curb the crime. It has been reported as the lowest crime stats in a number of years.

Jacques Van Schalkwyk of Big Events produced a free tourist map, with local advertisements for all those visiting the Aliwal Coast line. I hope all who participated in this venture were rewarded for their support and of course the CCPO will be receiving a donation of funds from Jacques as a result of his efforts. Watch the local paper .

Safecare headed by Adele van Zyl are in need of support.

Lotto has for some reason rejected Safecare's request for funding. As you know Safecare is an integral part of our community and is made up of mainly volunteers who attend trauma scenes and give counselling to those who have suffered due to crime and violence in our community. They also assist with numerous orphan centres with aid and counselling.

If anyone has a contact with someone who can convince our LOTTO friends to change their minds please give Adele a call or any other company who may be able to assisit them financially.

Tel: 031 - 903 7777
Fax: 031 - 903 4426
e-mail: safecare@skytec.co.za / communitycare@skytec.co.za

Thank you for the donation of R2000 from a community member who wishes to remain anonymous. This person feels we are doing a fantastic job. It is great to be appreciated.

Thank you to those members who phoned to confirm that they are still members after the first 6 months. Yes, until such time as I am advised in writing that you wish to withdraw membership you remain a member. The contract binds you to an initial 6 month membership and thereafter it is your option if you wish to resign, by sending your resignation in writing.

We are still growing and continue to be of service to the entire community.

Lastly, we are all inconvenienced by the load shedding, but it appears there is not much we can do about this but endeavour to assist by helping save electricity. So our advice from the CCPO is, switch off those TV’s left on during the day, lights, radios and any other electrical items that do not have to be on all day. If we do not comply it appears that Eskom will be fining us for excessive use.

So until next time, stay safe and never stop being vigilant. Crime happens when you least expect it.

Tracy

This one 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 R497.99 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 R297 to R497, just under the R500 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 R497.99 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 said they 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.

Submitted by a CCPO Member