Police, politicians and NHS medical staff are all warning people to be wary of a vicious new scam inviting people to take the vaccine.
The NHS text scam encourages users to apply for the new Covid-19 vaccine via a "extremely convincing website" before asking for card details.
Neighbourhood Watch called the new scam "very believable and therefore highly dangerous," whilst dozens of others officials and bodies have warned people to be wary.
A dangerous fake NHS text has been circulating, telling people they’re eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine. @WhichUK have some helpful advice to avoid being caught out.
— NHS South East (@NHSsoutheast) January 4, 2021
Find out more at https://t.co/iRnilzf0Sd #CovidVaccine
The scam starts with a text, seemingly from the NHS saying the user is now eligible to apply for the new vaccine.
A clickable link takes you to a genuine-looking website which asks the user to complete a form asking for your name, DOB, address and payment card details.
All forms of the Covid-19 vaccine, currently the Pfizer and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, are all being offered free through the NHS with no payment required.
There is a scam circulating which starts with a text & advises the user that they are eligible to apply for the vaccine & to click on the link in the text message. The user is then led to a webpage, which looks very convincing . More info on linkhttps://t.co/RvoIBcAVY3 pic.twitter.com/6l2LnhxSIf
— Bromley MPS (@MPSBromley) January 6, 2021
One user said they became suspicious when the link asked for bank details, and then noticed spelling mistakes on the site and in the SMS, a classic sign of a phishing scam.
With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue as fraudsters look to take advantage of the rollout to so many people.
Neighbourhood Watch's advice is as follows:
- Do NOT click on links in unknown texts - always check it first
- NEVER give out your personal details.
- With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue as fraudsters look to take advantage of the rollout to so many people.
- Cold calls regarding the vaccine are also beginning to take place – we’ve already had reports of scammers asking people to pay for it over the phone. If you receive one of these calls, hang up.
Please be aware of Vaccine scams. pic.twitter.com/SuV1vMkp7y
— Gravesham Council (@graveshambc) January 6, 2021
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