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Council highlight postal scams

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Pembrokeshire residents given advice: How to avoid being taken in by postal scams

Pembrokeshire residents given advice: How to avoid being taken in by postal scams

THOUSANDS of people fall victim to postal scams in the UK every day – make sure you’re not one of them. 

That’s the message from Trading Standards at Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Council is giving advice to local residents about postal or mail scams as part of Scams Awareness Month.

Nigel Watts, Trading Standards Manager, said:

“What starts as an initial reply to one letter may result in being bombarded with a host of different scams, all ultimately trying to defraud you.

“Some victims succumb to a downward spiral, resulting in financial and emotional detriment.

“You may receive a letter stating you’ve won a lottery, such as the postcode or a foreign lottery. Have you even entered it? If you haven’t then you know it is a scam. With many genuine foreign lotteries, you have to be in the country to actually buy a ticket in the first instance!”

He said that to claim your winnings, the scam mail will ask you to pay a fee.

“Genuine lotteries will not ask you to do this. Often, if you do send off the fee, you will be asked to pay more money and so it will go on. You will not receive any winnings.”

Sandra McSparron, Senior Trading Standards Officer, said some scam mail will say you have won entry into a prize draw for a substantial amount of money or a desirable prize. But, she warned, in those cases, you are required to place an order from their overpriced catalogue first.

“Others may require you to phone a premium rate number where the call lasts several minutes and costs more than the prize you actually win,” she said.

“Some scam mail claim to be from clairvoyants using intimidating tactics, claiming bad luck or ill health will result unless you pay them money.”

“Other mail may offer a ‘free’ trial of a health product such as a cream or a vitamin supplement. Often, unless you cancel the item within the specified period you have inadvertently agreed to receive regular deliveries that are no longer free.”

If you want to report a scam or get some advice, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service Helpline on 0345 404 0506. The Welsh Language Line is available on 0345 404 0505.

Top Tips 

• If you haven’t entered a lottery then you cannot win

• Never send money to claim a prize or winnings

• Never agree to any medicines or treatments without speaking to your own healthcare professional

• Sign up to the Mail Preference Service (MPS) to reduce marketing letters

• Phone 0345 703 4599 or register online at www.mpsonline.org.uk

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Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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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)

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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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)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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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.

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