Advice – The Village of Lydford, Dartmoor, Devon

Fuel Crisis support available

John Bright — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:07:05 +0000

West Devon Borough Council has announced increased support for those who might be in fuel crisis. This will include crisis payments for low-income households and help for practical everyday essentials including slow cookers, electric blankets and other basics that could help households through the coming winter. Residents can find out more and how to apply on the council’s website at www.westdevon.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/other-available-support/crisis-and-resilience-fund

Scam Warning: Fake QR Codes

John Bright — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:08:23 +0000

Lydford Parish Council has been alerted to a fraudulent parking scam operating in this car park involving counterfeit QR code stickers.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority and the police have been notified. Please follow the guidance below to protect your financial data.

How to Stay Safe:
DO NOT SCAN: Avoid using QR codes to pay for parking. Scammers place fake stickers over official signage to redirect you to fraudulent payment sites.

USE OFFICIAL METHODS: Only pay via the official physical machines or the authorized parking app mentioned on permanent signage.

UPDATE: The company operating the payment device in Lydford car park do not use QR codes on their devices specifically because they can so easily be defrauded. If you see a QR code of barcode on any Ringo device it will direct you incorrectly.

VERIFY TAMPERING: If a QR code looks like a sticker or appears “stuck on” over original text, do not use it.

If You Have Fallen Victim:

If you have entered your card details via a QR code link in this car park, contact your bank immediately to freeze your card. Then, report the incident:

Phone: 0300 123 2040

Online: www.reportfraud.police.uk

29th March 2026

Community Emergency Plan (Updated)

John Bright — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 22:48:50 +0000

In light of recent events and call-outs, the parish council has updated its Emergency Plan. The page also provides a link to the Home Emergency Plan which the council has produced as an aide-memoire for residents, outlining the kind of information which should be to hand in all households in case of any emergency.

The Community Emergency Response Team are volunteers and not an emergency service. If you have an emergency, please call the relevant emergency service in the usual way. Should you require help until the emergency service(s) arrive, contact the Team using any one of the phone numbers to be found in the Plan.

Extra security against Cyber attacks

John Bright — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:57:13 +0000

The latest advice from Neighbourhood Watch experts.

FREE EXTRA SECURITY FOR YOUR ONLINE ACCOUNTS

When it comes to your home, we all know the routine: lock the front door, check the windows, leave a light on connected to a timer switch, and maybe set the alarm if you have one. We do it to protect our homes without a second thought. But are you doing the same for your online life? Passwords alone aren’t as strong as they used to be. Cyber criminals can guess them, steal them, or buy them from data breaches. If they get your password, they could have the keys to your email, your financial accounts, your personal information, and your fondest memories.

The Solution: Turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV)

2-Step Verification (also called Two-Factor Authentication or 2FA) is like adding a second lock to your digital door. Even if criminals obtain your password, they still can’t get in.

What is it? 2-Step Verification requires two different ways to prove it’s really you:

Something you know – generally your password
Something you have – usually your mobile phone
Something you are – like your fingerprint or face

When you combine two of these methods, you get 2-Step Verification. This makes your online accounts much harder to break into.

How does it work?

Most online accounts now offer 2-Step Verification. Here are the common methods:

Text message codes: A code is sent to your mobile phone which you enter after your password.
Authenticator apps: Free apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator generate codes on your phone (often more secure than text messages).
Biometrics: Using your fingerprint or face to confirm it’s you.
Security alerts: You receive a notification on your phone if someone tries to log in to your online account using a new device or from a new location. If you get such an alert and it was not you logging in, you can immediately log in to your online account yourself and change your password.

Why should I do it?

It adds extra security to your money: Stopping criminals accessing your banking or shopping accounts
It further protects your identity: Preventing people pretending to be you on social media
It increases the security of your information: Adding additional protection to your photos, your emails, and your personal / sensitive data
It will give you peace of mind: In most cases you will be immediately alerted if someone tries to access your online accounts

How do I set it up?

It’s free and usually takes less than five minutes to set up.
Go to the Settings or Account menu of your online account
Look for Security, Privacy, or Login
Find and turn on 2-Step Verification or Two-Factor Authentication
Follow the steps to link your mobile phone or set up an authenticator app

Important: Please save any backup or recovery codes in a safe place just in case you lose your phone

Our advice

Start with your email account. Your email is often how you reset passwords for all your other accounts. If you secure that first, you instantly make everything else safer.

Then set it up for:

Online banking (although many banks routinely set it up for you)
Social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp etc)
Shopping accounts (Amazon, PayPal)
Any online account with personal or financial information

You can do this so take action today

Set aside five minutes today to turn on 2-Step Verification for your email account. It’s one of the smartest things you can do to protect yourself online. Once you’re comfortable with it, add it to your other important accounts. (Remember – Many banks will automatically have this set up for your online bank accounts).

Need more help?

If you need further assistance setting up 2SV, please go here – Turn on 2-step verification (2SV) – Stop! Think Fraud

Reporting

If you think you have been a victim of cybercrime, please report the incident to Action Fraud via phone (0300 123 2040) or via their website at  Action Fraud

If you think you have lost money or given out sensitive financial information to scammers, immediately alert your bank / financial institution. Call them right away to inform them of the suspicious incident. You can quickly reach many UK banks’ fraud departments by calling 159.

If you’ve received a suspicious email, please forward it to the NCSC’s suspicious email reporting service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk

Forward suspicious text messages onto 7726

Home Energy Advice

John Bright — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:17:38 +0000

The council has been in contact with Better Housing Better Health a local charity who work with people who might be in need of advice on their energy uses at home. They can help residents who might otherwise be at risk of living in fuel poverty to access advice and support.

Their website contains a deal of information as well as the facility to get help via a phoneline or webchat. https://www.bhbh.org.uk/

Combat online fraud

John Bright — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 21:39:55 +0000

159 works in the same way as 101 for the police or 111 for the NHS. It’s the number you can trust to get you through to your bank safely and securely, every time. So if you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details – stop, hang up and call 159 to speak directly to your bank.

Do you need consumer advice?

John Bright — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 19:46:29 +0000

Citizens Advice can provide free, confidential and independent advice to help you with a problem you may be having with a trader or business. Visit Citizens Advice online https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ or call their consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

For immediate, comprehensive advice on a range of consumer issues, visit the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service website https://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/consumer/