Police warn to watch out for ATM skimmers

Police are warning shoppers and merchants to be vigilant during the upcoming festive season. 

The Christmas shopping period in the past has been a prime time for transnational crime gangs to visit major shopping locations around Australia and target ATMs and stores. 

Detective Superintendent Brian Hay from the police Fraud and Cyber Crime Group said “These criminals will fly into the country, travel around the major centres, attach skimmers to ATMs and EFTPOS terminals and fly out with thousands of electronically stored compromised accounts only to steal the money from those accounts in a coordinated manner from multiple global locations,” Detective Superintendent Brian Hay said.

“We can never afford to be complacent. Christmas is certainly an expensive enough time for families and to lose money to a fraudster during this time is something I’m sure most families would like to avoid,” he said.

Ensure when using an ATM you look for any suspicious device attached to the card entry point of the machine and always cover your hand when entering your PIN.

Also be sure to examine your monthly statement for suspicious transactions, especially transactions which may appear for 1 or 2 dollars – this indicates your card has been compromised and the criminals are testing the account is still active.  If you see this, contact your bank immediately.

Any suspicious people hanging around an ATM should be reported to police immediately.

Reminder - next Carseldine 6 NHW Update meeting - 7 November

The next Carseldine 6 NHW Update meeting will be held on Thursday 7th of November at the Craigslea State School P&C Building at 7.30 pm.

The P&C building is situated at the rear of the school.

Car parking - please use the western car park near the swimming pool. You can then walk through the covered play area to the last building on the left.

As usual, supper will be provided at the close of the evening. 

Our special guest speaker will be Cr Fiona King. Come along and hear about local and Brisbane City Council news or ask a question.

Your support of Neighbourhood Watch is of vital importance to the safety and security of our neighbourhood.  Come along, meet your neighbours and share a cuppa and a social word or two.

We hope to see you there. All welcome!!!

Energy Company scam

Notice from Energex - if you’ve had a call from someone claiming to be from “The Energy Company” needing to inspect your home - it’s a scam.

If you receive such a call please alert police -  phone131 444.

Stolen jewellery recovered - is it yours?

North Brisbane District Police have seized a large quantity of jewellery suspected of being stolen during burglary offences earlier this year.

A recent operation involved tracking down hundreds of items which were sold to second hand dealers and gold-buying establishments.

It is believed the jewellery, which is mostly gold, was stolen in the Brisbane area between March and August this year.

There is still a large amount of unidentified jewellery which has now been posted online in the hope it can be recognised and returned to its rightful owner.

Images of the jewellery can be located on the Queensland Police Flickr page: www.flickr.com/queenslandpolice.

Anyone who may recognise the jewellery is urged to contact police by emailing

op.lima-cypress@police.qld.gov.au. They should include specific details about the particular item and information about when the theft occurred.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.

Keeping little ghouls safe this Halloween

With Halloween gaining popularity in Australia, little zombies, ghosts and witches will take to our streets tonight.

Senior Sergeant Craig Williams said while the Queensland Police Service was prepared to respond to poltergeists wreaking havoc or the ever-present threat of a Zombie outbreak, ‘trick or treaters’ should be aware of other more likely dangers.

“While Halloween has not traditionally been celebrated in Australia, we have seen an increase in the number of Queenslanders who are actively celebrating Halloween,” he said.

“It can be a fun night, but some in the community are rightly concerned that ‘trick or treating’ can be fraught with danger.

“By taking a few minutes to familiarie yourself with a few safety tips, we can ensure tonight is a ‘frightful’ night for all the right reasons.”

Trick or treaters should:

• Be accompanied by a mother or father monster at all times (or another responsible witch, ghost or vampire);

• Black cats love to slink around, but you should walk, not run between houses and stick to the footpath rather than the road. Black cats don’t want to be seen, and for good reason, but if you wear black, it will reduce your visibility to passing motorists!

• Never enter a stranger’s house, even if they have invited you in after knocking on their door;

• Be aware that not everybody celebrates Halloween, and some may find a group of young witches, zombies or Frankenstein’s Bride on their door step very confronting!; and

• Consider joining your friends on your neighbourhood adventure – there is safety in numbers.

 

(Article from the MyPolice blog 31 October 2013)

UPDATE - Child Abduction Alert - Zillmere

The Queensland Police Service, in conjunction with officers from the New South Wales Police Force, has located the 2-year-old boy who it is believed was taken from Zillmere yesterday. 

The boy was found safe and well at an address in Merriwa, New South Wales around 3.15pm. 

Investigations into the incident are continuing. 

Police would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance.

Child Abduction Alert - Zillmere

The Queensland Police Service are still seeking urgent public assistance to help locate a two-year-old boy who was taken from Zillmere at 12pm on Sunday, October 27. 

Further information has been given to Police that: 

At about 12pm a woman took the boy from a Beams Road address and then walked him to the local shops in Taigum. 

The woman is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 29 years of age, with a slim build, blue eyes, and was wearing a brown skirt, black singlet, white sandshoes and was carrying a bag. 

The boy is described as being of Caucasian appearance, two years of age, slim build, blue eyes, blonde hair, and wearing orange shorts, an orange T-shirt with a blue stripe over the pocket, and black sandshoes. 

Ring 131 564 to provide any other information

Ring 000 to provide life threatening information about this incident.