Criminals are using the COVID-19 vaccine as a way to target the public by tricking them to hand over cash or financial details.
They are sending convincing looking text messages letting people know they are eligible for the vaccine or phoning people directly pretending to be from the NHS, or local pharmacy.
They NHS or local Pharmacy will NEVER do any of the following:
- ask for payment – the vaccine is FREE
- ask for your bank details
- 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.
Suspicious calls, emails or text text messages
- 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 [email protected]
- Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.
If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft, you should report this directly to Action Fraud either online; actionfraud.police.uk or via telephone 0300 123 2040.
If you have any information relating to vaccine fraud you can stay 100%
anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers COVID Fraud Hotline online;
covidfraudhotline.org or telephone 0800 587 5030.
Need help, get in touch?
If you think you may be a victim and need help reporting it, please get in touch, we are here to help. DO NOT reply to any suspicious emails, texts or calls, and get in touch with us straight away.
Contact S4B by telephone, 0300 555 0128 or email [email protected].