The ECRC works closely with local policing to ensure that our members benefit from the free tools and services that local policing offers.

One valuable free tool is the Kent Fraud Email Alert System (K’FAs), created by Stephen Kelly, the Fraud Prevent and Protect Officer for Kent Police. This system provides weekly alerts to inform the public and businesses about current scams and how to best protect themselves.

The K’FAs reaches hundreds of thousands not just in Kent but in other areas up and down the country as we are all affected by similar offences. The ECRC publishes Stephen Kelly’s weekly K’FAs for its members, so you can stay informed and learn about the latest threats targeting businesses and the general public.

For further information about fraud, visit Advice About Fraud | Kent Police.

Penalty Charge Notice Text Scam

Below is an example of the latest scam parking fine text message.

It is very similar to the ones that have been circulating in previous weeks but is basically a follow up message reminding you to pay the fine or you will be banned from driving and taken to court.

This is a SCAM.

Please do not click on the link within the text message as this will take you to a realistic looking website under the control of the criminals, where they will steal your personal and financial data.

You can report scam text messages by forwarding to 7726.

If you think that you may have been a victim of this or any other type of scam, then contact your bank immediately, which you can do by calling 159 and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

For further information about fraud, visit our website at https://www.kent.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/

How can the ECRC support?

By joining the ECRC as a free member, your organisation will be supported in making the small changes that make the biggest difference when it comes to cyber resilience. Becoming a free member means you will receive the latest cyber resilience guidance via email, which will drip feed you ways in which you can improve your cyber resilience without costing any money.

The ECRC website also contains several links to helpful National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) resources, which are all free, up-to-date, and easy to use. Tools such as Exercise in a Box and the NCSC Cyber Action Plan are particularly useful in terms of identifying areas where you could improve your cybersecurity. They also have many informative guides that are sector specific, which will give you useful and detailed information.

If you would like more information about how the ECRC can help your organisation specifically, please book a chat with us today!

Reporting a live cyber-attack 24/7:

If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber-attack (in progress) please call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 immediately. This service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Reporting a cyber-attack which is not ongoing:

Please report online to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can report cybercrime online at any time using the online reporting tool, which will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened. Action Fraud advisors can also provide the help, support, and advice you need.

Alternatively, you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050)