Wokingham Borough Connect
Direct Payment Newsletter Issue 3 - November 2024
 Action Required - Strong Customer Authentication
IMPORTANT SECURITY UPDATE
Prepaid Financial Services (PFS)/EML are adding extra security to your Prepaid Card account. They will soon start asking for a Verification Code each time that you log in.
In order to deliver this, they require a valid Mobile Number and/or E-mail address to deliver the required verification code.
Please check that the contact information currently held for you is correct by going to the ‘Edit Account Details’ page on your account once you have logged in and update if necessary.
For cardholder enquiries & frequently asked questions please click on the PFS Cardholder Portal.
There is also a user guide available, Strong Customer Authentication How to guide. If you would prefer, we can post a copy of this guide to you. Please click the button below to request this. Please put in the E-mail title 'SCA How to guide'.
Be aware of scammers and fraudsters
Scammers and fraudsters will try to take funds from your Direct Payment online account by using an Automated Push Payment.
What is an Automated Push Payment (APP) Scam?
It's a type of scam where fraudsters trick you into sending money directly to them, often through online banking or mobile apps.
Typically, this person is not who you think they are, or the payment is for a different reason than what’s expected.
For more information about this and the changes PFS have made in relation to fraud please visit the PFS APP fraud website.
What to do if you think you have been scammed?
Contact PFSL immediately: Report the fraudulent transaction as soon as possible, please report it to PFSL by E-mail to pfslappfraudclaims@emlpayments.com.
There is also more information available on, Authorised Push Payment (APP) Fraud Update, or if you would prefer we can post a copy of this guide to you. Please click the button below to request this. Please put in the E-mail title 'APP Fraud Update'.
Improvement Feedback
A reminder that the Direct Payment team require you to upload all your invoices and receipts to your Prepaid Financial Services/EML online account.
PFS/EML have advised that they are making ongoing improvements to their system, and you can now upload invoices/receipts/documents from your mobile phone. If you require assistance to do this, please contact the Direct Payment team at DPwokinghamcard@wokingham.gov.uk.
PFS/EML have developed a new operational guide which should be available soon, this will be in the form of a How-to user guide. Once the Direct Payment team have received this, we will make the document available in a number of formats, including on our Direct Payment Website.
Please note that all PFS/EML cards are active for two years only, the expiry date is on the card. A new card should be sent to you automatically in the month your card expires.
 Looking for a Personal Assistant?
Assured Care and Support is a directory and vetting scheme for self-employed Personal Assistants, designed to raise standards and provide assurance to people who need care. It is for vulnerable adults and provides reassurance that the carer you engage has been thoroughly checked by Trading Standards. The scheme is jointly resourced by Adult Social Care and Trading Standards.
We can also help you to find the care and support you need through our network of Personal Assistants. For help finding care and more information about the scheme, please contact our Assured Care and Support Scheme Manager: assuredcareandsupport@westberks.gov.uk, or Telephone 01635 503487, or please visit the AC&S Website.
 A message from Social Care Futures - How to find great supporters
We believe that people employing their own personal assistants (PA) should have control of how they are supported to live the lives they want to lead, starting with how they choose their supporters. However, during our Direct Payment workshops earlier this year, you told us it isn’t always easy to find the right PA and many people don’t know where to start.
In response to this feedback, we’ve been working with Tricia Nicholl from Social Care Future and Gloriously Ordinary Lives to help create a free training session aimed at helping people with PA recruitment.
The pilot session will look at how you can find people to support you to pursue your interests and goals, as wells as meet your health and care needs. We will think about what a great life looks like to you and what you want personal assistants to do. There will be a mixture of practical advice and a chance to ask your own questions. By the end of the session you will be clear about the values, knowledge and skills you need from a personal assistant and have started your own draft job advert and plan of where to advertise.
We will be using feedback from people attending this session to help us make the training as useful as possible for others.
If you have a direct payment and would like to try the training ‘How to find great supporters’, please email us at getinvolved@wokingham.gov.uk and say training in the subject header.
If you would like to keep up to date with Social Care Futures, go to Newsletter sign-up, and please select Wokingham Borough Social Care Future.
 Wokingham Borough Council Website
We are pleased to announce the Direct Payment website has been updated to provide relevant information and guidance on Direct Payments.
The website offers lots of information on Direct Payments and how to get started, to find out more about Direct Payments go to the Direct Payment Website.
You can also look for a copy of our newsletter on the website.
Useful Contacts
Skills for Care Skills for Care Website
HM Revenue and Customs Tel: 0300 200 3211
Prepaid Financial Services/EML
Please Call - 020 3633 4515 or wokingham@prepaidfinancialservices.com
Insurance Providers
Please be aware that your Insurance provider will provide online support regarding Personal Assistant/Carer training. Please get in touch with your provider if you wish to know more about this.
Mark Bates Limited: Please call - 01476 514478 or Mark Bates Website
Fish: Please call - 0333 331 3770 or admin@fishinsurance.co.uk, or Fish Website
Surewise: Please call - 01268 200 020 or Surewise Website
Payroll
Paypacket: Please call - 0800 848 8998 or pay@paypacket.net
Nanny Tax: Nanny Tax Website or admin@payefornannies.co.uk
Avantedge: Please Call - 02382 148 188 or Avantedge Website
 Feedback and Contact us
Your feedback matters to us, please do get in touch if you need any assistance or would like to give feedback on this edition of our Newsletter or areas you would like to see covered in the future.
 Over the festive period the Direct Payment team will not be available on the following days.
- Wednesday 25 December
- Thursday 26 December
- Wednesday 1January
|
