Look out for Pension Scams

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Scammers usually contact people out of the blue via phone, email or text, or even advertise online. Or they may be introduced to you by a friend or family member who is also unknowingly being scammed.

Scam offers often include:

  • free pension reviews
  • higher returns
  • help to release cash from your pension even though you’re under 55 (an offer to release funds before age 55 is highly likely to be a scam)
  • high-pressure sales tactics – the scammers may try to pressure you with ‘time-limited offers’
  • unusual investments – which tend to be unregulated and high risk
  • complicated structures where it isn’t clear where your money will end up
    arrangements where there are several parties involved
  • long-term pension investments

4 simple steps to protect yourself from pension scams:

Step 1 – Reject unexpected offers
If you’re contacted out of the blue about a pension opportunity, chances are it’s high risk or a scam.

Step 2 – Check who you’re dealing with
Check the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Register to make sure that anyone offering you advice or other financial services is FCA authorised.

Check to see if they are registered with Companies House and for the names of the directors.

Check the FCA Warning List – to check the risks of a potential pension or investment opportunity.

Step 3 – Don’t be rushed or pressured
Take your time to make all the checks you need – even if this means turning down an ‘amazing deal’.

Step 4 – Get impartial information or advice
You should seriously consider seeking financial guidance or advice before changing your pension arrangements.

The Pensions Advisory Service provides free independent and impartial information and guidance.

You can also use a financial adviser to help you make the best decision for your own personal circumstances.

If you suspect a scam, report it
Report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or by using our online reporting tool.

Report to the FCA – you can report an unauthorised firm or scam to the FCA by contacting their Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 or using the Action Fraud reporting form at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/guide-to-reporting

If you’ve agreed to transfer your pension and now suspect a scam, contact your pension provider straight away. They may be able to stop a transfer that hasn’t taken place yet. If you are unsure of what to do contact the Pensions Advisory Service for help.

 

Trinity School Triathlon – 26 June 2022

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On Sunday June 26th 2022, Trinity School is, organising its tenth youth triathlon.

.One of the main objectives behind the London 2012 Olympics was youth involvement in sport, and so the Trinity Triathlon was created as a legacy event to help stimulate the future involvement of young people in sport, in Croydon and beyond.

How might it affect you?
Triathlons have three phases: swimming, cycling and running. The swim and run phases will take place on site at Trinity School and the cycle phase will be on the Addiscombe Road. To comply with British Triathlon Federation rules, the road will be closed from the Shirley Road roundabout to just before Sandilands and Ashburton Roads, both of which will remain open. All buses will be diverted via the Lower Addiscombe Road.

The closure will be from the junction with the Shirley Road, westward to just before Sandilands and Ashburton Road. The agreed closure will be in effect from 6.00am until 11.00am on Sunday, at which point Transport for London and Croydon Council have instructed that normal traffic flow must resume. The first cyclist will be on the road at 7.15am, and the last at about 10.25am, at which time the process of re-opening will take place.

If you live on the closed section of the Addiscombe Rd or Whitethorn Gardens, during the closure access will only be possible in an emergency or under special circumstances. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you live in the side roads adjacent to the Addiscombe Road:
There will be no restrictions on traffic movement; you will not be able to use the Addiscombe Road from Upfield Road or Mapledale Avenue to the south and Green Court Gardens, Birch Tree Way, Fryston Avenue, Cheyne Walk or Northampton Road to the north. By taking other connecting roads you will be able to get westwards towards Croydon or eastwards toward West Wickham and Beckenham.

Can I watch the race?
We hope this will be an event which the whole community can enjoy, and local residents are encouraged to come and watch the cycling and cheer the athletes on; you may even spot some future Olympic stars! Your support will be appreciated by all who are involved.

I hope that any disruption or inconvenience to you is minimal and that the positive aims of the day help make this worthwhile.

If you have any further queries, please email mdr@trinity.croydon.sch.uk

Gardening for Wellbeing with Lynette

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We are extremely excited to let you know that our Volunteer Lynette will be soon starting her Gardening for Wellbeing club at the Wilderness. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a relaxed and inclusive environment, surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the Wilderness garden.

We only have 6 places available. Be the first one to sign up.

The 5 weeks programme of Gardening for Wellbeing is aimed at anyone age 55+ living in the community.

The programme focuses on the benefits of growing your own plants: vegetables, herbs and house plants. At the end of the programme, you will:

  • learn the ethos and approaches to re-growing food
  • learn how to regrow food from scraps and how to care and manage your plants
  • learn how to propagate house plants
  • contribute to our kitchen garden
  • attend an art & craft with nature workshop

Activities suitable to all. The Wilderness is a wheel-chair friendly garden with accessible toilets on-site.

For more information, contact southlondon@mha.org.uk

Safer Neighbourhood Team Crime Report – May 2022

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The Shirley North Safer Neighbourhood Team has an update with the crime report for May 2022.

The Safer Neighbourhood Team will continue to patrol the ward as usual. In case of an emergency, please do not hesitate to call 999.

Let’s try and be vigilant and lookout for each other.

Report crime by calling 101 or in an emergency call 999.
Remember, you can also report crime online on our website: https://www.met.police.uk/