What scams you need to be aware of, what to do if you think you or someone you know has been approached by a scammer, how to report price hiking and unauthorised products.
During the coronavirus outbreak, you need to be aware of:
- scams
- price hikes (overpricing)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine eligibility scam
There are reports of people getting a text message that claims to be from the NHS. It reads: “We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine. For more information and to apply, follow here.”
The text message includes links to a fake NHS website that asks visitors for their bank details, supposedly for verification purposes.
The NHS will never ask you for banking details, passwords, or PINs. Any message asking for these is an instant red flag.
If you get a text message like this, delete it straight away. Do not click on any links.
People knocking on your door
You or someone you know might have someone knock on the door and:
- pretend they’re from the British Red Cross or another charity, and attempt to take money to do your shopping
- offer screening tests for coronavirus
- offer to do small jobs around the house
Protect yourself from scammers
You should:
- always be careful about who you let into your home
- ask someone you know and trust to help you with shopping, if you’re self-isolating
If you think you’ve been approached with a scam on your doorstep, contact the police on:
- 999 if you’re in immediate danger
- 101 for non-emergencies
Scam or phishing emails
Several coronavirus scam emails have been circulating.
Be careful about emails that claim to be:
- from the government, offering a tax rebate and asking for your bank details
- investment scheme and trading advice, encouraging you to capitalise on the coronavirus downturn
- from the World Health Organisation (WHO), with crucial coronavirus safety advice
- from a research group that mimics the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO
- from the council, offering a council tax refund
- from the council, asking for bank details in order to get free school meal vouchers
- able to offer a loan in return for a fee
Opening attachments or links in these emails could let scammers access your device and personal details or follow your movements online.
Protect yourself from email scams
You should:
- be careful about opening emails from people you don’t know
- never give your bank details or send money to people you don’t know online
Find out more about scams and how to report them on GOV.UK.
Overpricing
Some businesses and retailers are charging inflated prices for certain products, such as hand sanitisers.
Overpricing doesn’t breach any trading standard regulations. But the Competition and Markets Authority wants to make sure traders don’t exploit the current situation to take advantage of people.
You can report inflated prices on the GOV.UK website.
It’s against the law to charge a higher price than what is advertised on the shelf or on the product itself.
Contact Trading Standards
If you know of a business or retailer who is overcharging, or you're concerned about the safety of a hand sanitiser product, you can report it to Trading Standards:
- call 0808 223 1133
- email trading.standards@bristol.gov.uk