Fresh warning goes out to Cornwall about fake coronavirus vaccine scam
Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a warning
A fake coronavirus vaccine scam that is doing the rounds has sparked a fresh warning to Cornwall.
Emails and texts are circulating, that ask you to pay for your Covid jab and give out your bank details.
Action Fraud says the messages appear to come from the NHS and ask the recipient to click on a link to accept or decline an invitation to receive the coronavirus vaccine. If they click accept, they are asked to input personal information and their bank card details.
The national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime has previously warned about coronavirus vaccine scams, with many people reporting receiving fake text messages purporting to be from the NHS. At one point the scam was reported more than 1,000 times within 24 hours.
Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a warning about the scam, reminding people the NHS will never ask you to pay for a coronavirus vaccine.
The public are being urged to remain vigilant
“It’s despicable that fraudsters will take advantage of such an important tool in the fight against this evil and deadly disease. Not only are the people being targeted with this email at risk of losing money, or having their identity stolen, but they are also at risk of not receiving the real vaccine.
“The public have been fantastic at reporting these scams to us and raising awareness in their local community as well. But unfortunately, as this latest phishing campaign shows, we still have to remain cautious and alert. Remember: anything purporting to be from the NHS asking you to pay for the vaccine, or provide your bank account or card details, is a scam.”
Head of Action Fraud, Pauline Smith
How to protect yourself
In the UK, coronavirus vaccines will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy local to you, to receive your vaccine.
Remember, the vaccine is free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay.
The NHS will never:
ask you for your bank account or card details.
ask you for your PIN or banking password.
arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.
If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.
If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.