While the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine is great news, unfortunately criminals are using it to target the public by tricking them into handing over cash or financial details. They are sending text messages which look genuine or are phoning people directly pretending to be from the NHS or their local pharmacy, telling people they are eligible for the vaccine.
Like other scams:
- Don’t click on links or attachments in unexpected texts, e-mails or instant messages.
- Challenge every request for your personal details.
- Don’t respond to unexpected phone calls, hang up and check their claims through a trusted method, like the NHS vaccination website.
The vaccine is only available from the NHS and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn. The NHS will never:
- Ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text asking you to confirm you want the vaccine.
- Ask for payment for the vaccine or for your bank details.
Surrey Trading Standards has teamed up with Dr Sally Johnson from NHS Surrey Heartlands Clinical Commissioning Group to produce a video giving advice on how to prevent Covid-19 vaccine scams.
If you suspect a Covid-19 scam, please report it to the Crimestoppers Covid Fraud Hotline on 0800 587 5030.