Have you bought anything online recently?…

Almost 34% of all retail sales during May 2020 were carried out online, and new research suggests that only 16% of UK consumers intend to return to their old shopping habits post-lockdown.


Online shopping fraud during lockdown

Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, received over 16,000 reports relating to online shopping and auction fraud during the lockdown, with losses totalling over £16m. Members of the public have reported buying mobile phones (19%), vehicles (22%), electronics (10%) such as games consoles, AirPods and MacBooks , and footwear (4%) on sites such as eBay (18%), Facebook (18%), Gumtree (10%) and Depop (6%), only to have the items never arrive.



Top tips for shopping online securely:


Choosing where to shop:
If you’re making a purchase from a company or seller you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first. For example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was.




Email accounts:
Use a strong, separate password for your email account. Criminals can use
your email to access other online accounts, such as those you use for online shopping.


Scam messages:
Some of the emails or texts you receive about amazing offers may contain links to fake websites. Not all links are bad, but if you’re unsure don't use the link, go separately to the website. And remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.


Payment method:
If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one as other payment providers may not provide the same protection.



What to do if you’ve fallen victim to online shopping fraud

We all make mistakes and these days the scams can be incredibly convincing.

If you think you’ve visited, or made a purchase on, a bogus website, you should first, take a note of the website's address, then close down your internet browser. You should then report the details to Action Fraud and contact your bank to seek advice.

Whether you've been a victim of fraud will depend on how much information you’ve provided to the website, so keep an eye on your bank transactions, if you can. Contact your bank immediately about anything that you don’t recognise, even small amounts.



For more information about how to stay safe online, please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrime








Message Sent By
Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

The Knighthood of Captain (Now Sir) Tom Moore

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-53442746

The most understated Royal Wedding

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-53445109

Can anyone clarify about over 75s now paying for TV licence. All the websites are out of date, even the TV licencing one is still talking about it being free.

https://vm.tiktok.com/JNP84Qq/

Smile it’s Friday 😃

She has been granted permission to return to fight her case for re-instating her citizenship. what do people think of this ?

It was right to delete a post that was just advertising a product after all this is a discussion group, but I did notice that the company has joined other groups. This was their first post but just to let people know that the offender is in some private groups including a doggie one.

Does anyone use any chemicals or detergent in these ?
The instructions with the cleaner says not to but when I was ordering new pads there was one advertised.

If you thought the lockdown in England was inconvenient, read this.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jul/15/colombia-cartels-rebel-groups-coronavirus-lockdown-human-rights-watch

I forwarded a video from FB to Scooploop - where will it go ?

https://www.sciencealert.com/this-is-why-advice-on-whether-you-should-wear-a-mask-is-just-so-confusing.

Interesting article. ---- but I am still confused. Directive to wear mask in certain places from 24. July ---- so what happens in the meantime? Do they hope we catch it and perish or is the virus taking a holiday break? --- laughing face, can not to emoji.

They're uncomfortable,
You only wear them in public,
and when you don't wear one.......
EVERYONE NOTICES

..

Is Daniel Farke of Norwich the worst manager of a Premier League team?
Norwich didn't even try to stay up.
Glad they are not my team.

We can't change what has happened to our World but please can we change this!

https://vm.tiktok.com/JL4tT13/

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/13/30-year-old-dies-covid-party-texas

Is this only in America ?

Full-screen advert from Microsoft before Win 10 loaded this morning! Whatever next!

https://teespring.com/shop/get-bee-lives-matter?show_currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&aid=ts-boosted-pla&pid=345&cid=6354&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2075450544&adgroup=76204106803&matchtype=&network=u&device=m&devicemodel=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6ar4BRDnARIsAITGzlC2JyOin6S-KqZzu12r6QoXsHRh3IyYTe7z1lJRmErOPJdqJk-QB9kaAsDSEALw_wcB&keyword=&utm_term=&adposition=&utm_content=372695211243&aid=ts-boosted-pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6ar4BRDnARIsAITGzlC2JyOin6S-KqZzu12r6QoXsHRh3IyYTe7z1lJRmErOPJdqJk-QB9kaAsDSEALw_wcB

Tried to post earlier
Bee keeper friend in Wales sent this t shirt advert to remind us all to look after all little pollinators 🐝

https://teespring.com/shop/get-bee-lives-matter?show_currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_shopping&aid=ts-boosted-pla&pid=345&cid=6354&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2075450544&adgroup=76204106803&matchtype=&network=u&device=m&devicemodel=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6ar4BRDnARIsAITGzlC2JyOin6S-KqZzu12r6QoXsHRh3IyYTe7z1lJRmErOPJdqJk-QB9kaAsDSEALw_wcB&keyword=&utm_term=&adposition=&utm_content=372695211243&aid=ts-boosted-pla&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6ar4BRDnARIsAITGzlC2JyOin6S-KqZzu12r6QoXsHRh3IyYTe7z1lJRmErOPJdqJk-QB9kaAsDSEALw_wcB

My friend in Wales is a beekeeper and sent me this advert to remind us to look after our little pollinators

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/10/philippe-monguillot-french-bus-driver-dies-following-attack-passengers-refused-wear-masks

The quietest place in the world is the complaint department at the 🪂 parachute packing plant

Ofcom were to consider renewing FM and AM licences in 2022, but this has been put back to 2032. Thank goodness, I have only just replaced my crystal set!

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Usain Bolts baby daughter has been named Olympia Lightning Bolt

Well, at least the most appropriate.Usain Bolts baby daughter has been named, Olympia Lightning Bolt

Today's answer is
150 AD
What was the question?Previous guesses and a clue are in Pastime group.

https://youtu.be/GZy78vA4SAg

I have been with Virgin for many years (was NTL before) every year they put the prices up and every year I haggle and get a better deal.
This year when my haggled discount of £41 was due to rise to £54! I phoned them again threatening to leave, my normal ploy and was immediately given a new price of £39 for exactly the same package I have had for years providing that I have an 18 month contract.
As I am very satisfied with Virgin and would not want to leave I am a happy bunny

Not what you’d expect

https://vm.tiktok.com/J8CRkvB/

https://coronavirus-staging.data.gov.uk/cases?areaType=overview&areaName=United%20Kingdom

We are all getting vouchers from Mr Sunak that give us up to 50% off food in some restaurants. Only in August and only from Monday to Wednesday. Nothing off drinks. Maximum of £10 discount, so not many will get the full 50% off unless you are Billy Nomates.
Who will be going out for a meal?

,

My mobile scooter finally arrived middle size, suitable for transport in parts and comfortable. Have not done any long runs.
However was told to charge up every night. With all rechargeable batteries like telephone, toothbrush one is told to only charge when nearly empty to prolong the life of the battery. What is so different with scooter batteries?

Edward sharing an ice cream with his pal Pip on a 'special' day!

According to different news articles, it seems that footfall in shops is still at least 50% less than it was this time last year. There are calls for the Chancellor to do something to boost them, ie a cut in VAT or a (ridiculous imo) £500 voucher for everyone to spend in them.

The question is would either of those things make you more willing to go back to actual shopping rather than online? Is there anything else that is likely to temp you to go shopping?

Click on

It's quite magnificent this evening, lovely clouds.

Surprised to see this back in the headlines

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jul/05/met-police-urged-to-investigate-dominic-cummings-trip-during-covid-19-lockdown

Not so long ago we had a posting about "hummingbird hawk moth" Lucky me just seen one on my lavender. So far have not seen it again.

I wanted a quote on internet and entered my phone number. ---back came the reply number not recognised. It is only a payg phone, no access to internet and I have used the same number for about 20 years.

Had an email this morning from a very rich South African lady who has only 2 months to live and no family, she wants to give all her money away and as soon as she has my bank details she will send it to me.
Aren't i lucky.

click on

https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/arts/national-portrait-gallery-closed-until-2023-a4467156.html?amp

Unable to open again before the end of lockdown it won’t open now for three years

How to make beans on toast the american way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUjjBK0VIHA

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click on

https://youtu.be/bYkl-fP9gH4

Body painting