Residents may be at risk of online, door-to-door or telephone scams.
Trading Standards has received reports of COVID-19 scams from unscrupulous people and traders, who are taking advantage of the current unusual situation our society is facing.
There has been an increase in reports of criminals using the NHS COVID Pass to target the public by convincing them to hand over money, financial details and personal information. The NHS App is free. The NHS COVID Pass is free. The NHS will never ask for payment or any financial details. For more information, view Beware of COVID Pass fraud (PDF, 125 KB).
Other scams include:
- coronavirus-themed unsolicited text and emails
- door-to-door coronavirus testers
- driveway disinfecting services
- fake HMRC texts and emails
- fake letters offering to help with Council Tax Support claims
- fake COVID-19 testing kits
- fake coronavirus websites
- traders who sell personal protective equipment and sanitisers that never arrive
- unsafe vitamins and other medicines
You are urged to be extra vigilant and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details.
For support and to safeguard against scams:
- Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report incidents on the Action Fraud website
- If you need advice, call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0800 223 113
- To learn more about different types of scams and how to protect yourself and others, visit Friends Against Scams and complete the free online training
- Your bank or the police will never ask for your bank details over the phone. If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank directly as soon as possible.
- Read the Metropolitan Police's latest edition of Little book of big scams (PDF, 3891.2 KB), which explains a wide variety of frauds, provides tips on how to avoid them and advice on getting help
- Call 101 to report non-emergency incidents to your local police, or 999 if a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger