shambles

thought this was interesting - hope it's not copyrighted!?! Press release from APACS: This Sunday 1 April 2007, new procedures come into effect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland which means that banks and financial institutions become the first point of contact for cheque, plastic card and online fraud offences. In most cases consumers will be required to report instances of this type of fraud straight to their bank or building society and not to the police. It will be up to the financial institution involved, and not the account holder, to pass details of the relevant crime on to the police. This change in the way fraud is reported has come about after the introduction of the Fraud Act 2006 and follows discussions between the Home Office, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the financial sector. The aim is to reduce the level of bureaucracy involved in fraud recording and to streamline the reporting, recording and investigation of such frauds. APACS statistics show that there were just over 700,000 cases of card fraud in 2006, with the average loss per case amounting to ?608. One of the advantages for consumers unfortunate enough to be a victim of these types of fraud from 1 April onwards is that they will only have to report the details to their bank or the financial organisation involved. Previously they would have reported the matter first to their bank, then to the police, and then back to their bank to pass on relevant details given to them by the police. Sandra Quinn, director of communications at APACS, says: "This change simply removes an additional level of reporting and will provide greater consistency for the reporting of fraud losses in the UK. APACS will provide the Home Office with the industry's fraud figures for cheque, plastic and online banking fraud losses - these losses will then be published as part of the government's annual crime figures, thereby giving a more realistic picture of the scale of this type of crime." New rules for reporting card, cheque and online banking fraud Where an additional crime has been committed with the fraud, for example, the victim has had their wallet stolen or the card used fraudulently was stolen as a result of a burglary, then this should still be reported to the police. Fraud other than card, cheque and online banking fraud will be dealt with by the police in the same way as it is currently, using the Fraud Act legislation that came into force on 15 January this year. Earlier this month, APACS released its full UK card fraud figures for 2006 showing that total losses have fallen by three per cent in the past year to ?428.0 million - a decrease of ?80 million over the past two years. Cheque fraud losses fell by 24% from ?40.3 million in 2005 to ?30.6 million in 2006. However, online banking fraud losses increased by 44%, up from ?23.2 million in 2005 to ?33.5 million last year. Sandra Quinn continues: "The threat of fraud is, unfortunately, a part of our daily lives. Although card fraud losses have decreased for the past two years, the industry remains committed to a multi-layered approach to tackling card fraud. "Part of this approach is educating consumers on what they can do to protect themselves from being a victim. APACS has produced a Personal Security Plan to offer advice and guidance on this topic. By following some common sense precautions (as detailed in the Personal Security Plan) people can significantly minimise their chances of becoming a victim." The Personal Security Plan includes advice on preventing card fraud, online fraud, cheque fraud and cash machine fraud. Copies can be downloaded free-of-charge from www.apacs.org.uk and www.cardwatch.org.uk The payments industry continues to commit and invest funds in programmes and initiatives to fight fraud. Over the past five years, the industry has: Invested ?1.1 billion in the rollout of chip and PIN Established the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) - the special police unit that specifically tackles plastic card and cheque fraud - a funding commitment of ?3m per year by the banking industry Promoted retailer take-up of the Industry Hot Card File (IHCF) - an electronic database that enables retailers to check whether a card is being used fraudulently. Over 335,000 cases of attempted fraud were prevented by this system in 2006. ENDS For further information contact the APACS Information Office: T: 0870 420 3208 E: [email protected]

noted!!

she's too busy sleeping to know that anything is happening in the world right now! she's on easter hols and believes that it is her 'right' to stay in bed for as long as she likes. but don't fear - i am off work today and shall soon be making moves to wake her up. as a result you can expect a mushroom cloud of hiroshima proportions over ED within the next half hour!

great suggestion MP lol...I have been meaning to look into a summer job for Daisy. Currently thinking a stint frying greasy McDonald's burgers or a stimulating spell in a supermarket might make her think twice about her lack of effort at school. Does anyone know what the law says re 14 year olds and work? I worked in the pick & mix dept of Woolworths at that age - used to get ?6 for a Saturday morning - and free sweets!!

oooh - wouldn't raise your expectations too much Bob! It's gut-wrenching stuff when your lovely child tells you to f**k off. At least Daisy apologised when she said it to me - but even so - was shocked!! Not convinced about it being to do with parenting skills - probably more to do with a raging hunger for independance and freedom. AKA - 'gawd can't wait to be able to make my own decisions' etc etc Anyway - thanks forum friends - I do feel much better today about it all...appreciate the comments.

better parenting? please explain. I have tried sympathy, empathy, understanding, listening, talking, irritation, disappointment, concern, anger.........the whole shebang. What on earth do you mean Mr Bob? Do you have experience of teenagers? If so please explain how one might become a 'better parent'. ps. Raphael..so good to know there are others out there who share my pain!! Good advice..must try it. pps. Blinder999 - love the articles!!

ok it's late but I am at the end of my maternal tether and drinking gallons of red wine to cope. big big row tonight with Daisy - over 'is it important to keep an eye on the news and general worldwide events or Bam's wedding?'. I like to think that I am an understanding young mum (36 V 14) but I can't take anymore. Not only do I have to endure a letter from Daisy's headmaster complaining about 'concerns regarding general attitude' but I am further informed by Daisy that her teachers are 'dumbfucks'.(apologies). So..if there is anyone on this forum with a child beyond pram, nursery, primary and most of all - love towards parents age stage - let me know. won't hold my breath...

*pops in to reassure DM that am still alive* *gives quick hug goodbye though as off to bonny scotland for little break* *promises to bring back some wonderful whiskey and haggis for quiet room pals* *and if keef is good - a deep fried mars bar* * xx *

*emerges from behind the biggest chair in the room where had been hiding* *smiles at DM and gratefully accepts delicious pastries* *thinks - what a supportive friend she is* *sits in big chair next to keef and mikewbate, eats pastries and feels happy being in the company of such nice pals*

er - just seen this and apologise :-$ had friends over for meal and far too much wine... left laptop on when i went to bed - mistake. note to self - don't talk about EDF to non EDF friends when drinking note to self - switch off laptop when going to bed and friends are still up drinking

*having hacked shambles account wonders if shrodinger's cat was having more fun? is this a quantum experience, or having observed this is it all completely changed anyway?))* sorry..its the fifth column!!! its kim philby here in fact.. stop reading this..you are changing it just by being here

true! although i couldn't tell you what a fox poo looked like - obviously have considerate foxes in my garden!

just wondering if mad lizzie is being confused with sarah brightman? she was in one of those dance troops and looks a little bit like madlizzie.

well that's why i don't keep both ears to the ground - just in case lol

thing is i don't mind the foxes. ok so they're a bit noisy and they dig up plants and poo and wee everywhere and knock over wheelie bins - but apart from that what's the problem? i say leave them be. :)

i've seen the rod stewart lookalike too - it is an uncanny likeness i must say!

ooo..i don't know mikewbate...i don't like the idea of foxes and their cubs being killed in this way. what if the trap doesn't kill them outright and they're trapped half dying in agony. also - what about the cats! these are people's pets. my neighbours would trap the trapmakers if their cat was killed like this. find it a bit freaky that people can rustle up such devices in their backyards, trap an array of animals then dig a pit and bury them - it's gruesome.

by keeping an ear to the ground!

no!! that was my daughter!! i know i was young when she was born - final year of uni - but even so! she was back from school so we were out buying tuck. glad you didn't see my trolley as it was stuffed with crap. so embarrassing! i always get strange looks from people when offloading it at the check out...and she always buggers off to the magazine section to avoid such stares!! what did you buy? nice to see you both again too :)

back to topic - it may have been a crew that has been filming a programme about gangs in south london. i'm sure it will be a well informed piece of tv that raises the debate in an intellectual and stimulating way. not edited due to sudden eeby jeebys that i was giving away state secrets.

sadly no. last time i went to sainsbury's i bumped into mr & mrs mockney and saw crystal from a distance - but alas mr fresh pasta man was nowhere to be seen:'(

ok..no funny jokes to be posted here please that puts my face on that of a killer whale - i knows its do-able! ie along the lines of tumbleweed..

*gently opens door and checks that the room is empty* *phew - not a soul in sight* *marvels at how clean and fresh it is following weekend of sorry bodies having lain around for hours in a sordid state* *leaves bunch of simple yet beautiful spring flowers for DM to say thank you for being so kind on behalf of the forum casualties* *shuts door* *rushes back in as forgot to leave bottle of chilled sancerre for DM which she deserves to enjoy in peace*

to get battered?

do you mean the nasty man that compared me to a killer whale?:'(