police alert

COVID19 Scam Awareness

Police alert from Isle of Wight Police on 30/04/2020 at 11:51:00

Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud people.

Below are some of the most common scams to be aware of:

EMAIL, TEXT AND PHONE CALL SCAMS:

  • An unexpected email from the government offering you money.
  • The ‘infection list’ scam mimicking the World Health Organisation (WHO) claiming to provide a list or map of local infections.
  • An email from HM Government asking for donations for the NHS.
  • An HMRC email stating you are ‘eligible to receive a tax refund’.
  • Sale of fake COVID-19 swabbing tests, supplements, and anti-virus kits.
  • A text message asking you to pay a fine as it says you have been ‘recorded as leaving your home on three occasions’ during the lockdown.
  • A phone call stating ‘government guidelines now require everyone to wear a mask outside the house, press 1 to purchase your mask’.

DOORSTEP CRIME

  • Cleansing services that offer to clean drives and doorways to kill bacteria or offering to ‘decontaminate’ the inside of your home.
  • Bogus healthcare workers offering to take your temperature or provide ‘home-testing’ for the virus.
  • Criminals offering to do your shopping. They take the money and do not return.

ADVICE AND SUPPORT:
Always question unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information (name, address, bank details). To verify the company contact them directly using a known email or phone number. For advice on cybercrime, or to report suspicious emails, visit www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware Anyone who has been a victim of fraud or cybercrime can report it online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040

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