CPA Bulletin

PLANT THEFT BY REGION PLANT THEFT: 1 GREATERMANCHESTER A potential fraudster using the name ‘Gary’ has claimed to be from various businesses including G and L Groundworks and Caudwell Construction. When neither business name was accepted, he hung up. In a separate incident, the same Member reported a randomcaller trying to use another person’s account for machines in the Rochdale area with postcode OL11 3QB. Hementioned the customer name John Bell and that his name was Steve (07879 214739) but was trying to hire plant on a bona fide customer’s account. After trying to get more delivery details, he then became agitated then threatening, and then just finished the call. HAMPSHIRE A Terex 1.5 tonnemini-excavator was stolen fromKings Pond, Ashdell Road, Alton on the weekend of 28th-29th September. Themachine’s Serial Number is TC00150203, and the plant number is 485. NORFOLK A Kubota U10-3mini-excavator was stolen around 2.00amon 29th August fromPersimmon Homes, Drayton LowRoad, Hellesdon, Norwich. The Serial Number is 26270. It had both a GB and company logo flags on it. A van was seen on a camera, but no number plate could be seen. SUSSEX The followingmachines were stolen on 31st August fromDitchling, Sussex: • A Takeuchi TB228 3 tonnemini-excavator - Serial Number M122804004. The CESAR registration number is 34AK7P. • A Takeuchi TB250 5 tonnemini-excavator - Serial Number 125005252. The CESAR registration number is 56AP2W. The hirer claimed to be Calvin Nigel Harris of Harris Civils from Ilkeston, Derbyshire. He gave a delivery address in Ditchling, Sussex. The sitewas checked for planning permission, and all seemed reasonable. He produced a driving licence, bank statement and HIP insurance. It has since been discovered that the bank statement and insurance documents are forgeries. WESTMIDLANDS A JCB VMT 260 -120 tandem roller was stolen froman Amey site in BirminghamRoad, LichfieldWS14 9BS. Themachine’s Serial Number is 2417472. It was taken around 5.20amon 23rd September. YORKSHIRE A dumper has been stolen fromsomeone who claimed to be fromone of our Member’s customers. The site it was delivered to was 137 Great Houghton Road, Bradford. A Volvo ECR25D 3 Tonne Mini Excavator with Serial Number VCECR25DC000257 was stolen fromHalifax Road in Sheffield on the 5th/6th October. It belonged to Nixon Hire. The excavator’s plant number is 79086. ATMTasking and Finishing Focus Group - Held on 4th September 2019 This group is led by Greater Manchester Police, and has representatives from Trade Associations and interested parties. Construction and agricultural plant has been used by organised criminal gangs to attack ATMs. Themodus operandi of criminals is to steal plant local to the ATM (cashpoint) fromnearby farms, building sites and plant owner’s depots. The timeframe fromplant theft to attacking the ATM inmost cases is less than 90minutes. In the last 12months, there have been 90+ attacks, although this is a decrease on the previous year’s figures by 9%, due to better co-ordinated police response. CBI Cyber Security Conference 2019 - Held on 12th September 2019 The representative from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) reminded delegates of a Toolkit produced by NCSC for company boardmembers, which can help protect their business fromcyber-attack. This can be found at www.ncsc.gov.uk/ collection/board-toolkit Other guides which are available to download include: ‘Exercise in a Box’ - example scenarios ‘Top Tips for Staff’ - aimed at small business owners. ‘Response and Recovery’ - Another small business guide. Seminar and Conference Updates NAVCIS (VEHICLE CRIME INTELLIGENCE POLICE UNIT) WARNING There have been two recently notified fraudulent hires by way of company hijacks. Both of the below listed companies who have open accounts with the hire company in question were contacted and they had not requested any hire of machinery. The company names are MJS Construction andMurraywood Construction. These attempted fraud/thefts have beenmade for delivery in Buckinghamshire and Lancashire. NaVCIS (Vehicle Crime Intelligence Police Service) suggest that on all phone hires, a return call to the registered company’s offices is completed before any delivery of items is agreed, together with all normal provenance checks. All fraudulent attempts should be recorded via the Action Fraud website, even if unsuccessful on: www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime 26 CPA Bulletin > November 2019 www.cpa.uk.net