Whenever something new to benefit us allcomes along, there always seem to be people trying to use it for dishonest purposes. The latest example is the NHS coronavirus vaccine where there have been many examples of attempt to defraud. Beware of emails or texts which may look like genuine messages from the NHS but are in fact ingenious attempts to obtain confidential information such as bank details.
Action Fraud, the national organisation which lies to combat this sort of thing, has advised as follows:
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.