A special product which they claimed protects your home from Covid-19? A government refund?
It’s scams awareness fortnight, launched by Citizens Advice. Whether by email, phone calls, text messages, emails, online, or face-to-face; coronavirus scams include ones pretending to be from UK Government. You may get a text message saying the government has issued you a payment of £458 and you need to click on the link to claim it. Don’t – because if it’s too good to be true it probably is; it’s a scam, as is any email supposedly from gov.uk saying that you are to be fined for leaving your home more than once. The only proper source for information issued by the government is www.gov.uk.
People are also being warned about possible scams by call, text or email in relation to the new NHS test and trace service. Genuine contact tracers will never ask for any passwords, bank details or pin numbers – any communication from them will be asking you to sign into the NHS test and trace website.
Dame Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “We’ve seen thousands of people coming to our website for advice on scams during the coronavirus outbreak as opportunistic scammers take advantage of the public’s concerns. Worryingly one in three of us has been targeted by a scam since lockdown began.
“By learning how scammers operate, and helping each other understand what to look out for, we can all work together to stop fraudsters in their tracks.“
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Carol Hart said: “This year protecting people against scams is more important than ever. The coronavirus pandemic means many people are facing challenges around employment, debt, housing and health which can make them vulnerable to scammers.
“Our trading standards team is working hard to protect particularly vulnerable Derbyshire residents and to create awareness across the county of possible scams so that people can protect themselves and others.”
There are doorstep, phone and online scams to watch out for at any time, trading standards adds. Doorstep scammers may be offering fake virus testing kits or offering to do your shopping and making off with your cash. Phone fraudsters are often after bank details and online crooks may be selling fake goods or using ‘phishing’ emails with malicious attachments to get your personal and financial information.
If you are a victim of cybercrime or online fraud and scams, report it to Action Fraud by ringing: 0300 123 2040; although during the Covid-19 crisis the official fraud reporting line has been offering a ‘reduced service’.
Suspicious, or phishing emails, should be forwarded to the National Cyber Security Centre’s Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) email [email protected]. Last month the NCSC launched its ‘Cyber Aware‘ advice on how to stay secure online during coronavirus.
Learn also from the Take Five campaign, such as their online quiz: https://quiz.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/. For in-person, mail and telephone scams, concerned consumers can report issues to the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.
