How to avoid Covid-19 scams

Throughout the pandemic, fraudsters have been trying to exploit coronavirus as an opportunity for financial crime.

Now that vaccines are available, they’re sending bogus messages claiming to be from the NHS and offering the chance to apply for a Covid-19 vaccine.

These are usually text messages or emails asking you to confirm your personal and financial details through a website given in a link. The same scam is also being used with automated phone calls asking you to press a button on your keypad to provide your details.

Just a reminder that the Covid-19 vaccine is only available through the NHS and is free to all.

Remember, the NHS will never:

• send a text asking you to confirm you want the vaccine
• ask for your bank account details, PINS or passwords
• arrive unannounced at your home to give you the vaccine

We're seeing criminals pretending to be from HMRC and offering a goodwill payment from the Covid-19 fund. Again, HMRC won't email, text or call about tax rebates or penalties so it could be a scam. Look out for bad spelling, odd addresses and generic greetings.

If you receive a message that looks like it's from HMRC, go to the HMRC website on your browser to check it's genuine.

On 24 March, the UK Government sent a text to the public asking people to stay at home. This was legitimate. However, fraudsters are also impersonating the Government, sending texts to people claiming they're being fined for leaving their home more than once a day.

Some parents have received fake emails telling them their child is entitled to free school meals. Parents are then asked to send their bank details so they can get financial help during school holidays. Please remember, schools will never ask for your bank details via email.

Customers are reporting that they're receiving scam emails about insurance. Phishing is an attempt by fraudsters to 'fish' for personal information such as the security details you use for banking. They send an email to as many email addresses that they can, claiming to come from a legitimate organisation such as a bank, online payment service, retailer or similar.

We've seen confirmed authorised push payment (APP) scams with payment references mentioning coronavirus or Covid-19. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the fake caller used the virus as a conversation starter. They may have used these words in the payment reference to make it look more genuine to us.

Unfortunately, there have been cases of fraudsters targeting those who are more vulnerable, offering to do their shopping or other odd jobs. This may seem like a genuine act of kindness, but fraudsters are taking money or cards and never returning. If you can, please only accept help from friends, neighbours or those you know and trust. It may also be a good idea to talk to any elderly or vulnerable family and friends to make sure they're aware of the risks too.

Be aware of scammers capitalising on current stock market volatility. They may unexpectedly contact you through emails and phone calls with:

• an attractive investment offer on new shares
• a report on investments you already have
• a share dealing discount

These tactics are also called 'boiler room' scams, as criminals will often pressure you into investing.