Scam email warning
Monmouthshire County Council is urging residents to be vigilant following reports of a spoof email claiming to have been sent from the British Red Cross which is circulating in the community.
The message attempts to lure recipients into providing their bank details via a web portal in relation to a Flooding Grant Claim – which has long since closed.
This email is not genuine.
Neither the British Red Cross nor Monmouthshire County Council will ever ask you to provide bank details, passwords, or other personal financial information through an unsolicited link.
If you have received such an Email – DO NOT click any links or attachments. DO NOT enter any personal or financial information. DO NOT reply to the message.
Phishing emails often:
- Use urgent or threatening language
- Contain spelling or grammar mistakes
- Come from addresses that look unusual or incorrect or direct you to websites that do not match the organisation they claim to be from
If something feels wrong — stop and check. You can hover over links to see where they really lead, and contact the organisation directly using trusted details from their official website. We can only encourage recipients to continue to report this scam. If you have received this or any other suspicious email – you can report this via: Reporting cyber crime and fraud or phishing attempts – Report Fraud or forward it to: report@phishing.gov.uk
If you believe you may have shared personal or banking information, please contact your bank immediately and seek advice.
Monmouthshire County Council is working with relevant partners to raise awareness of this spoof email and to help protect our wider community. Please share this message with friends, family, and neighbours — especially those who may be more vulnerable to online scams.
Photo Credit: South Wales Fire and Rescue
Flooding Information & Support
A Message from Trading Standards
Trading Standards are warning residents to be aware of rogue traders preying on the desperate and vulnerable after Storm Claudia..
In the coming weeks, householders and business owners should not agree to work from tradespeople who knock on their doors uninvited touting for business.
Historically, this type of offender will attempt to capitalise on recent events, often creating an inflated sense of urgency or risk meaning a householder or business will feel pressurised to agree to the work.
If someone knocks at your door and tells you your house needs repairs or maintenance of any kind, you need to be suspicious and close your door.
Trading Standards advise people facing paying for repairs to get recommendations from friends or family, and always try to source three quotes.
Those affected can consider approved trader schemes to find businesses to help with repairs. These include:
- TrustMark – https://www.trustmark.org.uk/homeowne
- Buy with Confidence – https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
- Which – https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk.
- For residents over 60 – Care and Repair – https://careandrepair.org.uk/
Further information on finding reputable businesses can be found on the Citizens Advice Website – Find a trader and check you can trust them – Citizens Advice
Monmouthshire County Council also encourage residents to report any concerns they have about suspicious doorstep callers calling in their area to Citizens Advice Consumer Centre on 0808 223 1133, or 0808 223 1144 for Welsh language calls.
Care and Repair Monmouthshire and Torfaen
Have you been affected by the recent floods?
If you are a homeowner or private tenant and meet any of the criteria below, Care & Repair Monmouthshire and Torfaen may be able to support you:
- Aged 60 or over
- Aged 50 or over with sight or hearing loss, living with dementia, or a stroke survivor
- Aged 50 or over and recently discharged from hospital
Care & Repair Monmouthshire and Torfaen are a charitable organisation committed to helping older people stay safe and independent in their homes.
Our team can give friendly advice, guide you through repairs, and help you avoid cowboy builders by connecting you with trusted, reputable contractors. We can also provide technical support to make sure any work carried out is safe and appropriate.
Information from External Organisations
Natural Resources Wales / Check river levels, rainfall and sea data
Natural Resources Wales – Flood Warnings