Fake NHS text messages are circulating, telling people that they’re eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine.
The link takes you to an extremely convincing fake NHS website that asks for personal details including bank/card details.
Buckinghamshire Council’s Trading Standards team are also receiving information that cold calls regarding the vaccine are taking place, where scammers are asking people to pay for the vaccine over the phone.
Most of these vaccine scams are targeting elderly residents who receive a cold call to advise that their vaccination would be carried out in their home, and that the caller requires their name, address and also financial details to pay for the vaccine.
Other reports relate to approaches made by text and from a recorded voice message on the telephone. In each case the recipient is required to respond by clicking a link in the text message or by pressing 1 when receiving the call. They are then asked to give personal information, as well as financial details to book their vaccination.
Fred Wilson, Buckinghamshire Council Member for Regulatory Services says “I am very disappointed that at a time when many people are seeing the vaccine as hope for the future, scammers are trying to cash in.”
He adds, “It’s important to remember the vaccine is free and the NHS will never require you to hand over financial details in exchange for it.”
For information on the Buckinghamshire vaccine programme, which details who is being vaccinated, vaccination sites and the number of residents vaccinated so far, head to COVID-19 vaccination programme webpage.
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