Scam warning as fraudulent callers claim to be from council

Published

9 years ago

February 5, 2016

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Trading Standards officers are calling for residents of Fishguard and Goodwick to remain vigilant regarding suspicious phone calls claiming to be from either the town or county council.

In some instances the caller has stated that the reason for the call is concerning an insurance claim for an accident.

Councillor Huw George, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services said: “If you, or a member of your household, have not even had an accident then it is clearly a bogus call. If you have an ongoing insurance claim, contact your insurance company direct to verify a suspicious insurance call.”

The authority reminds residents not to provide any details to supposed callers from the Council unless first carrying out a check to verify that the call is genuine. To do this, ask the caller for their name and job title, put the phone down and after a few minutes telephone the Council switchboard on 01437 764551 and ask to be put through to the person.

The council highlight that residents and businesses can register for free with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) which would make it unlawful for unsolicited telesales calls which originate in the UK to phone the registered number. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that Ofcom’s TPS cannot prevent calls from overseas, market research calls or fraudulent calls.

To register online with the TPS, log onto: www.tpsonline.org.uk or phone: 0845 070 0707.

If you are already registered with the TPS and receive a telesales call or have previously told a business not to contact you again but they ignore your request, you can report it to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on: 0303 123 1113.

If you wish to report a suspicious or nuisance call or to find out more about your consumer rights, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0345 4040506 or 0345 4040505 to speak to a Welsh speaking advisor.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

7 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

14 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

15 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.