'News from afpop' - Friday 10th of May 2024

As always if English or German are not your first language and you need clarification on any of the information included in this mailing, please contact the afpop office to ask for assistance. Si un Membre français souhaite discuter de ces informations en français, veuillez contacter Marisa au bureau de l'afpop pour obtenir de l'aide.
 
Good afternoon to you all and welcome to the first of this month’s ‘News from afpop’ mailings. It seems that there is some rethinking going on in government circles, with water restrictions for the Algarve being reviewed and also news that you might have seen regarding a proposal to end tolls on the former SCUT (toll free) motorways across the country. At the moment there is nothing more on either of these measures, but we are monitoring them and will of course bring any updates as we have them, although the tolls measures, if agreed, are likely only to come into force in 2025.  
 
In a slight deviation from previous mailings warnings of frauds and scams, this week there is news about the Bank of Portugal’s efforts to help address fraud, with a roll-out of the system currently employed in their MBWay payment method, although sadly a scam that we reported in 2022 appears to have resurfaced. More details below.
 
Unfortunately due to other commitments this month, the May editions of the Satellite offices in Almancil and Lagos have been cancelled and also the presentation on eye-care scheduled for the 29^th in  Tavira has been moved to 6^th of June as you’ll also see below. Those Members who had registered will already have been contacted with the new date.
 
Finally from me for this time, a warm welcome to our new Members who have joined since the last Member Briefing, including those who joined at the Living in the Algarve event in Carvoeiro. Sadly I wasn’t able to be there and won’t be again for the next installment, which you can find details of below. I do enjoy meeting Members, old and new, at these events, so I’m particularly sad to be missing two in a row, but as always the team will be on hand to say hello and to answer any questions you might have.
 
Until next time, here is this week’s information. 
 
Ground clearance
The Government has extended the deadline for ground clearance until 31st of May, due to the rainfall recorded in recent months and the high water content in the soil. More information on the requirements can be found in the April edition of our UPDATE Magazine and also on the website https://portugalchama.pt/en/cleaning (this website still shows the previous deadline).
 
Info Praia App
A reminder that the Info Praia app is active again, giving immediate access to updated information about bathing waters. In this application it is possible to consult the existing equipment on each beach or receive notifications about the quality of the bathing water.
On Google Play you can find it HERE.
 
Bank transfers
From the 20^th of May, national bank transfers will have a new feature, which Banco de Portugal (BdP) believes will help reduce fraud. Prior confirmation of the beneficiary will be required and transfers with only the phone number will be possible as of June. This was already possible in MBWay, but will now be available in all transfers between national accounts, whether made via 'homebanking', in the bank's 'app' or over the counter.
 
When a transfer is made between national accounts at a MultiBanco machine, the name of the person or organisation that will receive the money will be displayed, allowing the payer to confirm in advance that they are sending money to the correct beneficiary before giving the final transfer order. This is the feature that the Bank of Portugal is extending to all transfers through all the channels provided by banks, such as homebanking or the bank app that customers have on their mobile phones. This function will also be available in direct debits.
 
If the beneficiary is a company, the payer can indicate only the NIPC (tax identification number of the company). In this system, now called 'proxy lookup', users have to associate their mobile phone number, which can be a foreign mobile phone number, with an account.
 
Banco Alimentar
Over the weekend of 25^th and 26^th of May, the Banco Alimentar contra a Fome will hold a food collection weekend at various stores and you will see their volunteers in the distinctive tee shirts. If anyone would like to volunteer to help, you can do so on their website in the link below, which unfortunately is only in Portuguese. They are looking for volunteers in the stores, but also in the collection centres in Faro and Portimão. Many Members have volunteered in the past and found it to be very rewarding. If you would like to help please use this link, or of course you can also help by taking one of the bags from the volunteers.
 
PSP radars
Every month, the Public Security Police (PSP) shares a list of some of the places where speed control operations are planned. In total, there are more than a hundred locations across Portugal, Azores and Madeira, where authorities will carry out prevention and inspection actions.
In the list HERE you can see, by district, where the PSP radars will be and on what dates.
 
A reminder that these are just some of the planned operations and that throughout the month it is likely that there will be speed control in other areas without prior notification from the PSP.
 
AFPOP Presents …
The next two in our series of presentations are on the subjects of skin cancer with Dra. Clarisse Rebelo (Dermatologist) and eye care and cataracts with Dr. João  Rosendo (Ophthalmologist). They will both take place in Tavira on the 6^th of June, in the morning (10h30) for the skin cancer presentation and afternoon (14h30) for eye care.
 
Places can be reserved by contacting Marisa on apoio@afpop.com.
 
Living in the Algarve
The next installment of the Living in the Algarve shows will take place on 23^rd of May in Tavira at the Vila Galé hotel. To reserve a place at the event or for more information, visit their website https://www.livinginthealgarve.pt/.
 
Vilamoura Boat Show
For the boating enthusiasts, Vilamoura will host the 27th edition of the Vilamoura Marina International Boat Show from June 8^th to the 16^th. More information can be found on the website https://vilamouraboatshow.fil.pt/.
 
Fraud attempts
If you receive a text message or an email supposedly from EDP with the text shown below, it is a scam and you should not pay anything. The entidade 21800 is known to be fraudulent and is not one issued by EDP.
 
"EDP: A sua fatura tem um valor em atraso. Evite o corte até às 12:30 de 08-05 pagando o valor em dívida por MB: Ent 21 800, Ref 771 254 259, Valor 115.14”.
 
Satellite Offices
Due to staff availability, there will not be any Satellite Offices in May.
afpop staff will however be on hand in the Satellite Offices again in June. If you need advice or assistance, wish to introduce a new Member to the Association, need to renew your subscription or just have a general query, please pass by and see us. We ask you to make an appointment and to inform us about your enquiry, so staff can come prepared to assist you. Please contact the afpop office to make an appointment on 282 458 509 or info@afpop.com.   
 
The next dates of the Satellites are: