The next Parish Council meeting will be on:

Tuesday, 8 December 2026

in Clovelly War Memorial Parish Hall at 7.30pm.

Clovelly Parish Council usually meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month (apart from August and January when there is a recess) at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall, Higher Clovelly.

Members of the public are welcome to attend any meeting and may speak during the open session at the beginning of the meeting.

How to Deal with a Suspicious Phone Call

If someone calls you unexpectedly and starts asking for personal information, account details, passwords, PINs or security codes, don’t feel pressured into responding.

Here’s What to Say

“I don’t give out personal information or account details during an unsolicited phone call. I’ll contact the organisation directly using a trusted number.”

Then end the call.

Legitimate organisations will understand and support your decision to verify their identity independently.

Be Aware of Spoofed Numbers

Criminals can manipulate the number that appears on your phone. This is known as number spoofing.

A call may appear to come from your bank, the police, HMRC, Microsoft, Amazon, or another trusted organisation when it is actually coming from a fraudster.

Never trust a caller simply because you recognise the number displayed on your phone.

Be Aware of Pressure Tactics

Scammers will often try to keep you on the phone. They may create a sense of urgency, claim there is an immediate problem with your bank account, computer or personal information, or attempt to shock and scare you into acting quickly.

They do this to stop you taking time to think, verify what they are saying, contact the organisation yourself, or seek advice from someone you trust.

Common examples include:

“Your bank account has been compromised.”
“Money is leaving your account right now.”
“Your computer has been hacked.”
“You owe money and must pay immediately.”
“A loved one is in trouble.”
“We’re investigating suspicious activity on your account.”

The stronger the pressure, the more suspicious you should be.

Protect Yourself

✅ Never give out passwords, PINs or one-time security codes.

✅ Hang up if you are unsure who is calling.

✅ Contact the organisation yourself using a trusted telephone number from its official website, app, bank card or previous correspondence.

✅ Be aware that phone numbers can be spoofed and should not be relied upon as proof of identity.

✅ Review your social media privacy settings regularly. Scammers will obtain information about you, from social media and other online sources, then use it to try and convince you that they are genuine.

✅ Think carefully before sharing any personal information online. Do your really want your CV available for all to see?

Remember Your ABC

Never Assume. Never Believe. ALWAYS CONFIRM.

If you receive an unexpected call asking for information, don’t be rushed into making a decision. Take control of the situation, end the call, and then verify the caller independently. Be curious.

Hang Up. Look Up. Call Back.

When you make the call to a trusted and thoroughly verified number, you are in control of who you are speaking to.

To quickly contact your bank call 159

Don’t let the caller provide the number you should call back on. Fraudsters may provide a fake number that connects straight back to them or an accomplice. Always find the contact details yourself and verify them independently using official websites, apps, bank cards, statements or previous correspondence.

Ideally, call back using a different phone. If this is not possible, wait a few minutes before redialling, particularly if using a landline.

Never trust the number. Trust the verification process.

Winter Fuel Payment scams often start earlier than people think

Last year, criminals targeted UK adults between August and October, and this year is likely to be no different.

Most Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, so you should not need to apply. You will never be asked to provide personal or banking details by text message or email.

Received a message you’re unsure about?

👉 Check it using the Ask Silver Scam Checker

👉 Visit GOV.UK for trusted information

🚨 The “Hang Up and Call Your Bank” Scam

Many people now know that the safest way to contact their bank is by calling 159

👉 Unfortunately, scammers are adapting — and using this advice against you

⚠️ Here’s how the “Hang Up and Call Your Bank” scam works

A criminal calls you pretending to be your bank and says things like:

“Money is being taken from your account right now — we need your password to stop it”

You refuse (which is the correct action) and then they say:

“That’s right — never share your password. Please hang up and call your bank immediately”

👉 This sounds genuine — but it is part of the scam

🧠 What’s really happening

The scammer is using social engineering to gain your trust and control what you do next.

They know:

You trust your bank
You’ve been told to call them yourself
You will feel reassured making the call yourself
They know you will immediately make that call

⚠️ Here’s the trick

Even after you “hang up”:

The scammer can keep the line open
You may even hear a fake dial or ring tone
When you dial 159 (or your banks phone number) you could still be connected to the scammer
A second scammer may answer pretending to be your bank

👉 So although you think you’ve called your bank — you haven’t

✅ How to stay safe

✔️ Safest option

Use a different phone to call your bank
(e.g. mobile instead of landline, or vice versa)

✔️ If you only have one phone

Hang up
Wait at least 30–60 seconds
Call a friend or family member first

👉 This confirms the line is properly cleared
👉 Then call 159

🚨 Warning signs

Be suspicious if the caller:

Tries to shock or scare you
Pressures you to act quickly
Talks about money being at immediate risk
Asks you to move money to a “safe account”
Tells you to stay on the phone
Tries to stop you hanging up

👉 Your bank will NEVER do these things

🟢 Key message

“HANG UP PROPERLY – THEN CALL SAFELY”

✅ Remember

159 will never call you
You only use it when you dial it
It connects you safely to your bank

✅If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime

🌐 Report online here: UK’s Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud – Report Fraud

📞 Or call: 0300 123 2040

✅ Final advice

Scammers rely on panic and urgency.

👉 Take your time remain calm and stay in contro

Please feel free to share this advice

To help people of all ages cope with the impact of being a victim or witness of crime, a dedicated website is available to enable them, as well as their families, get the tailored support they need.

Victim Care, a resource provided by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), is aimed at making the journey to seeking support easier as well as also providing essential information for victims and witnesses who find themselves having to navigate through the complex criminal justice system.

Across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the OPCC funds more than 40 wide ranging support services for adults and children regardless of whether the crime has been reported to the police or where and when it happened. In 2024/25, 32,977 victims were supported by those services.

Many of those were signposted to appropriate services by Devon & Cornwall Police Victim Care Unit (VCU), also funded by the OPCC. Among those services is Victim Support which has been recommissioned for a further two years to help victims of crime access independent and specialist support. The service is now also being offered to those age 16 and above, rather than just adults.

Last year, Victim Support helped more than 3,000 victims. The crimes they are subjected to can include assault, burglary, crime abroad, cybercrime and online fraud, low level risk domestic abuse, hate crime, criminal damage, rural crime and murder or manslaughter.

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are responsible for commissioning services to support victims, reduce reoffending and improve community safety.

Alison Hernandez, PCC for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Providing timely and free support for victims has and will remain a significant priority in my Police and Crime Plan.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of crime to visit the Victim Care website to see what help is available and how to access it, either through Victim Support or the Devon & Cornwall Police Victim Care Unit.

Heather Welch, Victim Support Area Manager for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “It’s an honour to provide this vital service and we’re delighted it’s been expanded to include 16 and 17-year-olds so we can also help younger people navigate the physical and emotional challenges of crime and its aftermath.

“Crime affects everyone differently but can have long-lasting consequences and leave many victims feeling traumatised, angry, upset or frightened. Every victim deserves to feel safe, heard and supported, and our support staff are here to help anyone who needs us. For free, independent and confidential advice and support, regardless of when the crime happened or whether it’s been reported to the police, call us on 0300 303 0554 or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk.”

Victim Support provides support to help people make sense of how a crime has made them think feel and act and move forward with their lives, and can also signpost victims to other services, where appropriate. Support can be provided either on the phone, a video call and face to face.

Support is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm with flexibility for weekend support if needed, along with access is its 24/7 national helpline.

If you have been affected by crime, please visit Devon and Cornwall – Victim Support or call 0808 1689 111.

Alternatively, to find out more about wider victim support available, visit the Victim Care Devon & Cornwall website at https://victimcare-dc.org/

Many will be aware of the speedy ways you are able to report suspicious emails and text messages.

As a reminder –

Suspicious Texts can be forward to 7726 (it’s free and alerts mobile providers)
Suspicious Emails can be forward to report@phishing.gov.uk

But what do you do if you come across a suspicious website, maybe one you think is trying to scam you?

You can report those websites online here – Report a suspicious website – NCSC.GOV.UK – and the National Cyber Security Centre will investigate.

How To Report Fraud and Cyber Crime

If you are a victim of cybercrime or fraud, you can report the matter to Report Fraud online here – UK’s Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud – Report Fraud – or by calling 0300 123 2040.

If you think you have lost money or given out sensitive financial information to scammers, immediately alert your bank. Call them right away to inform them of the suspicious incident. You can quickly reach many UK banks’ fraud departments by calling 159.

Please feel free to share this information.

You’ve heard of us but do you really know what we do ?!

Did you know that 10 arrests are made across the UK daily because of 2000 reports that are made daily to Crimestoppers ? In the South West alone we have an average of 800 pieces of actionable information every month which we pass to the police.

Know something about a crime or a criminal but don’t want to go directly to the police ? We know that it can sometimes be difficult to come forward with information. You might have seen or heard something about a crime but don’t know what to do, or are scared to come forward. It’s easy to think there is nothing you can do, but we offer you a safe way to do this.

Crimestoppers is a charity and our service is unique and designed to protect your identity, whether you call us on 0800 555 111 or submit through https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online/

We will listen to you about any crime that you have information about.

We don’t record any personal details about you.
We pass information to the relevant authority without revealing your identity.
All of our call agents are trained to support you through the process.

In the 35 years that we have been running, no one has ever been identified after giving information. It is vital that we guarantee your anonymity because if your identity became known, our reputation would be seriously damaged.

Crimestoppers is not an emergency service and if you see a crime taking place you should ring 999 to report it immediately.

Please follow us locally www.facebook.com/CrimestoppersintheWestCountry

Action Fraud is now REPORT FRAUD

Starting on the 4th of December 2025, the City of London Police began the soft launch of REPORT FRAUD, a new service that replaces Action Fraud as the national platform for reporting cyber crime and fraud. Throughout December, Action Fraud began transitioning to REPORT FRAUD. Traffic to the old Action Fraud website was gradually redirected to REPORT FRAUD, helping to ensure a smooth transition for the public. The soft launch is now complete.

Scroll down to see more general information about cost of living help.

CLOVELLY DEFIBRILLATORS.

The defibrillator is in an unlocked cabinet fixed on the wall of the Parish Hall EX39 6AN, available 24/7, is registered with The Circuit, a national database giving locations of all defibrillators throughout the country. Monthly checks are made and reported to The Circuit.

The defibrillator has dual use pads, meaning they can be used for adults and children, and expire in August 2025.

There is a second defibrillator in an unlocked cabinet, available 24/7 on the side wall of The New Inn Hotel, The Street, Clovelly, EX39 5TQ which has adult use pads, expiring in May 2027. Monthy checks are also made and reported to The Circuit.