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In this issue:
 As the national vaccine programme steps up a pace, Coventry Business Compliance team is warning residents of a dangerous scam related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Whilst the scam has been circulating for several weeks now, and there have been national warnings, the Team are now starting to receive local reports from Coventry residents.
The fake NHS text that has been circulating tells people they’re eligible to apply for the vaccine and asking for payment.
The text message states: ‘NHS - We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine’ and asks people to ‘apply’ by clicking on a link. The link then takes you through to a convincing-looking but fake NHS website which asks for your personal details and bank account and card details.
The NHS will never ask you for banking details, passwords, or PIN numbers and these should serve as instant red flags.
And most importantly, you do not have to pay for the vaccine through the NHS.
Cold calls about the vaccine are also beginning to take place, with people asked to pay for it over the phone.
Scammers are continuing to take advantage of people’s fears and concerns during the pandemic and this illustrates the extent that these criminals will go to in order to obtain someone’s personal and banking details.
Business Compliance are especially concerned that vulnerable people might be taken in by these scams, as they all look so convincing.
The advice is to delete these text messages and block them, and hang up if you get cold calls asking to pay for the vaccine.
Under no circumstances click on any links contained within the text message.
Please also report suspicious messages to Action Fraud using their online reporting tool as this provides intelligence and assists authorities in combating scams.
You can also make a report by phone by calling 0300 123 2040 Monday to Friday between 8am – 8pm.
The NHS will contact you when it's your turn to have the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination.
How you will be contacted for your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination.
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For more information on scams, visit: www.coventry.gov.uk/scams
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