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COVID-19 News, Advice and Guidance

Beware fraud and scams during Covid-19 pandemic

This page has now been archived. Please continue checking our news section and following our social media accounts for the latest information and advice on how to protect yourself from fraud and cybercrime.

UK Finance reveals ten Covid-19 scams the public should be on high alert for - Thursday, 30 July, 2020

Using the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity, fraudsters are using sophisticated methods to callously exploit people, with many concerned about their financial situation and the state of the economy. To coincide with the launch of its new animation urging people to follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign, UK Finance today reveals ten Covid-19 and lockdown scams which criminals are using to target people to get them to part with their money.

Read full story

Coronavirus fraud warning from the CPS - Saturday, 18 July, 2020

The Crown Prosecution Service has warned the public to beware of fraudsters exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic after a man was today jailed for 30 weeks for offering fake Government refunds.

Mohammed Khan, 20, sent more than one thousand texts claiming to be from the authorities offering refunds to people as part of the Government’s response to the pandemic.

He obtained 191 sets of personal details and used 49 for fraud. The total loss to his victims was £10,019.17.

One text message read: ‘UKGOV: You are eligible for a Tax Refund as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please fill out the following form so that we can process your refund.’

Read full story

Victims of coronavirus-related scams have lost over £11 million - Wednesday, 8 July, 2020

A total of £11,316,266 has been reported  lost by 2,866 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 13,820 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please continue to visit this page for information on the latest scams we are seeing and advice on how to protect yourself.

Commander Baxter shares top tips for staying safe online - Wednesday, 1 July, 2020

The City of London Police's National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) is warning the public to be alert as criminals continue to exploit coronavirus to commit fraud. Updated figures show that there have been over 2,521 reports to Action Fraud on COVID-19 related fraud since 07 June, 2020, with total losses of £8,160,598 million.

Want the latest information on how to protect yourself from coronavirus-related fraud? Commander Karen Baxter shares her top tips for staying safe online.

UK Finance warns consumers to be aware of Coronavirus holiday scams - Friday, 26 June, 2020

Consumers are being urged to be on the lookout for holiday scams including fake caravan and motorhome listings, refund offers and travel deals, as criminals take advantage of uncertainty around coronavirus travel restrictions and cancellations to target their victims and commit fraud.

For more information and advice on how to keep yourself protected

Spot the signs of ticket fraud - Tuesday, 23 June, 2020

With pubs, restaurants and cinemas set to reopen with social distancing measures, demand for tickets and reservations is likely to be high. We’re reminding people to take extra care when buying tickets online.

Spot the signs of ticket fraud:

Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office, official promoter or agent, or a well-known and reputable ticket site.

Avoid paying for tickets by bank transfer, especially if buying from someone unknown. Credit card or payment services such as PayPal offer greater protection against fraud.

Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or adverts offering unbelievably good deals on tickets. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Is the vendor a member of STAR? If they are, the company has signed up to their strict governing standards. STAR also offers an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution service to help customers with outstanding complaints. For more information: star.org.uk/buy_safe

Over £16 million lost to online shopping fraud during lockdown - Friday, 19 June, 2020

Despite retail and non-essential shops re-opening across the UK, many of us continue to shop online. Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, is warning the public to remain vigilant and take extra care online, after statistics show 16,352* people fell victim to online shopping and auction fraud during lockdown.

Since shops were forced to close due to the coronavirus outbreak on 23 March, Action Fraud has received reports of online shopping fraud totalling £16.6million* in losses.

Read full article here

Football fans urged to secure their online streaming accounts and subscriptions - Wednesday, 17 June, 2020

With millions of football fans expected to log into subscriptions to stream behind-closed-door games, advice has been issued on how to secure accounts

The National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of GCHQ, warns online hackers could break into football fans’ accounts to carry out ‘phishing’ scams

Read full article here

2,378 victims have lost a combined total of over £7m to coronavirus-related scams - Friday, 12 June, 2020

A total of £7,099,441 has been reported lost by 2,378 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 12,323 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

Criminals continue to exploit the coronavirus pandemic to defraud innocent members of the public. Currently, coronavirus-related frauds make up less than 2% of all fraud reports we receive. To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please continue to visit this page for information on the latest scams we are seeing and advice on how to protect yourself.

HMRC scam warning - Thursday, 11 June, 2020

We are aware of scammers claiming to be from HMRC offering financial support as a result of coronavirus.

If you receive an email, text or call claiming to be from HMRC that asks you to click on a link or give information such as your name, credit card or bank details, it's a scam.

See an example of this scam and check out our tips to stay safe online

Cyber experts shine light on online scams as British public flag over 160,000 suspect emails - Thursday, 7 May, 2020

  • National Cyber Security Centre reveals range of fraudulent sites it has blocked with the help of the British public
  • Scams include attempts to exploit coronavirus fears through fake offers of testing kits and face masks
  • Public have flagged more than 160,000 messages to the NCSC’s new suspicious email reporting service – with more than 1,400 links to scams removed

CYBER security experts have today lifted the lid on some of the online scams which the British public have reported to a pioneering new Suspicious Email Reporting Service.

Emails reported to the National Cyber Security Centre include callous attempts by criminals to exploit the coronavirus through fake offers of face masks and testing kits.

Read full article

Victims of coronavirus-related scams have lost over £5 million - Friday, 5 June, 2020

A total of £5,341,592 has been reported  lost by 2,204 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 11,793 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please continue to visit this page for information on the latest scams we are seeing and advice on how to protect yourself.

DWP scam warning - Thursday, 4 June, 2020

We are continuing to see examples of emails and texts sent by fraudsters purporting to be from the Department for Work and Pensions.

The DWP will never text or email asking for your personal information or bank details.

Do not click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for personal or financial details.

If you are expecting a call from the DWP on your online benefit application, DWP work coaches will leave you a message in your online journal to let you know.

NHS Test and Trace guidance - Monday, 1 June, 2020

Unfortunately, criminals will exploit every opportunity they can to defraud innocent people of their money, or steal their personal details.



It is important to remember that NHS Test and Trace will never ask you for any form of payment or any passwords or PINs. They will also never ask you to download anything, ask any details about your bank account or send someone to your home.

Whilst it is possible for criminals to fake official phone numbers, they cannot fake official website addresses. We would encourage anyone with concerns about a phone call, text message or email they have received, in relation to Test and Trace, to check the website address being provided to you carefully. If possible, type the official address, which will be https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk followed by unique characters given to you, directly into your browser.

If you think you have been sent a scam message, please report it to us.

2,057 victims have lost a combined total of over £4.6m to coronavirus-related scams - Friday, 29 May, 2020

A total of £4,690,536 has been reported  lost by 2,057 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 11,206 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please see below for more information on common COVID-19 frauds and the steps you can take to keep yourself safe.

Courier Fraud

As more people self-isolate, #COVID19, fraudsters will carry out courier fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer or bank to gain their trust. The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details.

Online Shopping and Auction Fraud

More people may fall victim to #onlineshopping fraud as they self-isolate due to #COVID19. You are a victim of online shopping fraud if you buy goods from an online seller that never arrive.

Computer Software Service Fraud

As more people work from home due to #COVID19, fraudsters may capitalise on slow networks and IT problems, to commit computer software service fraud. Be wary of cold calls or unsolicited emails offering you help with your device or to fix a problem

Lender Loan Fraud

People may be worrying about their finances during the #COVID19 outbreak. Lender loan fraudsters will use the opportunity to:

- approve your application for a fast loan regardless of your credit history

- ask you to pay an upfront fee

- take your payment and never provide the loan

Pension Liberation Fraud and Investment Fraud

Fraudsters could try to take advantage of the financial uncertainty surrounding #COVID19 by offering people sham investment opportunities. If you get a cold call or unsolicited email offering you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Mandate Fraud

As more people work from home due to #COVID19, fraudsters may try to get you to change a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, to divert funds to their bank account, by purporting to be an organisation you make regular payments to.

Phishing

A number of #COVID19 related phishing emails have been reported to Action Fraud. These emails attempt to trick you into opening malicious attachments which could lead to fraudsters stealing your personal information, logins, passwords, or banking details.

260 reports of coronavirus-related TV Licensing emails so far this month - Wednesday, 27 May, 2020

So far this month, we have seen 260 reports about a coronavirus-related TV Licensing scam. 

The emails purporting to be from TV Licensing claim that the recipient's direct debit has failed and that they need to pay to avoid prosecution. Recipients are told that they are eligible for a "COVID19 Personalized Offer" of six months free. The messages contain links to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.

Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it's a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. 

To see an example of this message please visit our Twitter account.

Criminals increasingly using PPE as a lure in scams - Friday, 22 May, 2020

Action Fraud has received 1,904 reports from victims of coronavirus-related frauds, with losses totalling over £4.3 million. The majority of these reports relate to online shopping scams where the victims purchase goods from legitimate-looking websites set up by criminals. In one, case, a victim lost over £150,000 attempting to make a bulk purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from a website that turned out to be fraudulent. We have also received 10,208 reports relating to coronavirus-themed phishing emails.

If you are thinking of doing online shopping, please follow our most up-to-date advice and guidance.

How to stay safe and secure when video calling - Wednesday, 20 May, 2020

The lockdown means that many people are now using video calling to stay in touch with family, friends and work colleagues. It's never been more important to stay 'Cyber Aware' and make sure your conversation stays secure. This helpful guide published by the National Cyber Security Centre shows you how to set up and use video conferencing services, such as Zoom, safely and securely.

Man pleads guilty to sending Covid-19 scam text messages following DCPCU investigation - Monday, 18 May, 2020

A man has pleaded guilty to sending out a large number of fraudulent text messages linked to Covid-19 following an investigation by the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), a specialist police unit funded by the banking industry.

Intelligence work by the DCPCU and Action Fraud identified that the suspect was involved in sending large-scale ‘smishing’ text message campaigns exploiting concerns around Covid-19 to defraud the public.

Some of the fraudulent messages claimed to be from the UK government and offered a tax refund as a result of the pandemic.

Read full article

1,713 victims have lost a combined total of over £3.5m to coronavirus-related scams - Friday, 15 May, 2020

A total of £3,534,983 has been reported  lost by 1,713 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 7,796 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please continue to visit this page for information on the latest scams we are seeing and advice on how to protect yourself.

New version of fake TV Licensing emails - Wednesday, 13 May, 2020

We have seen a large volume of TV Licensing phishing emails circulating, but in the last week, we have received 70 reports of a new version of this common scam.

These emails purporting to be from TV Licensing claim that the recipient's direct debit has failed and that they need to pay to avoid prosecution. Recipients are told that they are eligible for a "COVID19 Personalized Offer" of six months free. The messages contain links to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.

Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it's a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. 

To see an example of this message please visit our Twitter account.

Online shopping scams dominate coronavirus-related fraud - Monday, 11 May, 2020

We’ve seen a steady rise in coronavirus-related fraud reports since February. The majority of these reports relate to online shopping scams where victims purchase goods that were never delivered. If you are thinking of doing online shopping, please follow our most up-to-date advice and guidance.

HMRC scam warning - Thursday, 7 May, 2020

We are aware of scammers claiming to be from HMRC offering financial support as a result of coronavirus.

If you receive an email, text or call claiming to be from HMRC that asks you to click on a link or give information such as your name, credit card or bank details, it's a scam.

See an example of this scam and check out our tips to stay safe online

Cyber experts shine light on online scams as British public flag over 160,000 suspect emails - Thursday, 7 May, 2020

  • National Cyber Security Centre reveals range of fraudulent sites it has blocked with the help of the British public
  • Scams include attempts to exploit coronavirus fears through fake offers of testing kits and face masks
  • Public have flagged more than 160,000 messages to the NCSC’s new suspicious email reporting service – with more than 1,400 links to scams removed

CYBER security experts have today lifted the lid on some of the online scams which the British public have reported to a pioneering new Suspicious Email Reporting Service.

Emails reported to the National Cyber Security Centre include callous attempts by criminals to exploit the coronavirus through fake offers of face masks and testing kits.

Read full article

Animal lovers looking for pets in lockdown defrauded of nearly £300,000 in two months - Tuesday, 5 May, 2020

Criminals continue to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to commit fraud, as a scam involving the purchase of pets, such as puppies and kittens, continues to be reported to Action Fraud.

So far, 669 people have lost a combined total of £282,686 in March and April, after putting down deposits for pets they have seen advertised online. The adverts that victims have responded to were posted on social media, general online selling platforms and also specific pet selling platforms.

Read full article

Coronavirus-related phishing emails - Friday, 1 May, 2020

Here are just a few examples of the coronavirus-related phishing emails that are doing the rounds (click the image to enlarge).

Cyber experts have launched measures to protect the UK from online harm as the country continues to rely more on technology while staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

If you have received an email, which you're not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service: [email protected] 

If you think you may have been the victim of fraud or cyber crime, you should report this to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040

 

1,289 victims have lost a combined total of over £2.7m to coronavirus-related scams - Friday, 1 May, 2020

A total of £2,759,579 has been reported  lost by 1,289 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 4,727 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please continue to visit this page for information on the latest scams we are seeing and advice on how to protect yourself.

Safer giving - Tuesday, 28 April, 2020

Some fraudsters are taking advantage of the increase in charity donations made during the coronavirus outbreak. They can set up fake charities or impersonate well-known charity names.

The risk of fraud should not put you off giving to charities. They do really important work, helping those in the greatest need. However, you should be vigilant and make sure you are giving safely to legitimate organisations. Don’t let the money you donate to charity end up in a criminal’s pocket.

Follow our practical steps to give safely to genuine charities 

Protect yourself from fraud at GOV.UK - Friday, 24 April, 2020

Measures announced over recent weeks to deal with coronavirus (COVID-19) have seen our day-to-day life drastically changed - we are spending more time at home and online. Unfortunately, criminals will use every opportunity they can to scam innocent people and their businesses.

Read more on how to protect yourself and stay safe

1,072 victims have lost a combined total of £2,360,727 to coronavirus-related scams - Friday, 24 April, 2020

A total of £2,360,727 has been reported  lost by 1,072 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 4,241 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

Criminals continue to exploit the coronavirus pandemic to defraud innocent members of the public. Currently, coronavirus-related frauds make up 3-5% of all fraud reports we receive.

To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please continue to visit this page for information on the latest scams we are seeing and advice on how to protect yourself.

Protecting businesses from COVID-19 scams - Thursday, 23 April, 2020

Malicious email attachments, false government grant phone calls and CEO impersonation scams are among a raft of scams undermining businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increasing risk has led National Trading Standards to launch Businesses Against Scams – a free online training tool to protect businesses, employees and customers from costly scams.

Read full news story and find out more

Public urged to flag coronavirus related email scams as online security campaign launches - Tuesday, 21 April, 2020

CYBER experts have launched measures to protect the UK from online harm as the country continues to rely more on technology while staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, has today launched the cross-governmental ‘Cyber Aware’ campaign, which offers actionable advice for people to protect passwords, accounts and devices.

In addition to the broader campaign, the organisation has this morning published specific advice for personal and professional use of video conferencing services, with top tips on setting up your accounts, arranging a chat and protecting your device.

Read full news story and find out more about the campaign

Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to defraud innocent people - Sunday, 19 April, 2020

Between Saturday 11 April and Tuesday 14 April 2020, Action Fraud received 23 reports of phishing emails that purported to be sent from HMRC. The emails stated that the recipient was eligible to receive a tax refund of up to £775.80. To complete the refund, recipients were asked to send proof of identity and proof of address. Documents that were suggested included a person’s passport and a utility bill.

Between Wednesday 8 April and Thursday 16 April 2020, Action Fraud received 131 reports of phishing emails in the style of official ‘GOV.UK’ emails and using the same logo and branding. These emails told the recipient they could get a reduction in their council tax because they were on a low income or receiving benefits. A link was provided for recipients to claim for their reduction which, they are told, will be transferred directly to their bank account.

Read full article

862 victims have lost a combined total of £2,120,870 to coronavirus-related scams - Friday, 17 April, 2020

A total of £2,120,870 has been reported  lost by 862 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 3,621 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

Criminals continue to exploit the coronavirus pandemic to defraud innocent members of the public. Currently, coronavirus-related frauds make up 3-5% of all fraud reports we receive.

To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please continue to visit this page for information on the latest scams we are seeing and advice on how to protect yourself.

Watch out for fake Tesco emails - Wednesday, 15 April, 2020

Action Fraud has received 30 reports about fake emails that purport to be from Tesco.

The email states that the supermarket is offering free vouchers during the coronavirus outbreak. The link in the email leads to a genuine-looking phishing website that is designed to steal login credentials as well as personal and financial information.

Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details

Working from home advice and guidance - Saturday 11 April, 2020

With a record number of people now working from home, criminals will look for every opportunity to exploit cyber security vulnerabilities in an attempt to steal valuable information. 

While working from home is not new to many of us, but the coronavirus (COVID 19) means organisations are using home working on a greater scale, and for longer periods. The below resources have been published by the National Cyber Security Centre and are designed to help organisations support their staff working from home. It also provides advice on spotting COVID-19 scam emails:

Downloadable infographic for organisations

Home working: Preparing your organisation and staff

Watch out for scam messages asking for donations to the NHS - Thursday 9 April, 2020

The NHS will never ask you to send money directly to a bank account, or make a payment using Bitcoin. If you would like to donate to the NHS you can do so via their official channels or your local NHS Trust.

Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details.

641 victims have lost a combined total of £1,820,731 to coronavirus-related scams - Thursday 9 April, 2020

A total of £1,820,731 has been reported lost by 641 victims of coronavirus-related scams.

We have received 2,643 reports of coronavirus-related phishing emails.

Criminals continue to exploit the coronavirus pandemic to defraud innocent members of the public. Currently, coronavirus-related frauds make up 3-5% of all fraud reports we receive.

To keep this number as low as possible, we want people to be aware of the very simple steps they can take to protect themselves from handing over their money, or personal details, to criminals.

Please continue to visit this page for information on the latest scams we are seeing and advice on how to protect yourself.

Beware of scam COVID-19 'refund' messages - Tuesday 7 April, 2020

If someone gets in touch out of the blue, claiming to from the council or the HMRC offering you financial help or saying a tax refund is owed to you - it could be a scam.

These messages will likely ask you to click on a link where you will be directed to give personal information, such as your name and address, or financial details. Please do not click on the link and don't respond in any way to the message.

Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to [email protected] and texts to 60599. Check HMRC-related phishing, or bogus, emails or text messages against examples published on the GOV.UK website. 

Fake COVID-19 medical products warning - Monday 6 April, 2020

Criminals are exploiting the COVID-19 outbreak, and preying on people's worries and concerns, by selling fake medical products online which they claim can treat or prevent coronavirus.

We have also received reports from victims who have lost money when they have tried to purchase protective face masks or self-testing kits online, from fraudulent websites, that simply do not exist. If you think you have been a victim of fraud, please report it to us. 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) say there currently no medicines licensed specifically for the treatment of prevention of COVID-19 and there are no official self-testing kits approved for home use.

For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-medicines-and-medical-devices-regulator-investigating-14-cases-of-fake-or-unlicensed-covid-19-medical-products 

Criminals target members of the public with NHS scam messages - Thursday 2 April, 2020

We have received 41 reports of a scam email purporting to be from HM Government asking for donations to the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak.

This is a fake email and your money will only end up in the hands of a criminal.

The NHS will never ask you to send money directly to a bank account. If you would like to donate to the NHS you can do so via their official channels or your local NHS Trust. 

Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details. 

For the latest health information and advice about COVID-19 please visit the NHS website

Further information and resources

Criminals are using the Covid-19 pandemic to scam the public – don’t become a victim.

Law enforcement, government and private sectors partners are working together to encourage members of the public to be more vigilant against fraud, particularly about sharing their financial and personal information, as criminals seek to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police.

They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.

Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud*.

Your bank or the police will NEVER ask you to transfer money or move it to a safe account.

Criminals are targeting people looking to buy medical supplies online, sending emails offering fake medical support and scamming people who may be vulnerable or increasingly isolated at home. These frauds try to lure you in with offers that look too good to be true, such as high return investments and ‘healthcare opportunities’, or make appeals for you to support bogus charities or those who are ill.

Reports from the public have already included online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser, and other products, which have never arrived and a number of cases have been identified where fake testing kits have been offered for sale.

Criminals are also using Government branding to try to trick people, including reports of using HMRC branding to make spurious offers of financial support through unsolicited emails, phone calls and text messages.

This situation is likely to continue, with criminals looking to exploit further consequences of the pandemic, such as exploiting financial concerns to ask for upfront fees for bogus loans, offering high-return investment scams, or targeting pensions.

Huge increases in the number of people working remotely mean that significantly more people will be vulnerable to computer service fraud where criminals will try and convince you to provide access to your computer or divulge your logon details and passwords. It is also anticipated that there will be a surge in phishing scams or calls claiming to be from government departments offering grants, tax rebates, or compensation.

Please see below for more information on the most common COVID-19 frauds and the steps you can take to keep yourself safe.

Courier Fraud

As more people self-isolate, #COVID19, fraudsters will carry out courier fraud by cold calling the victim, purporting to be a police officer or bank to gain their trust. The ultimate aim of this call is to trick them into handing over money or their bank details.

Online Shopping and Auction Fraud

More people may fall victim to #onlineshopping fraud as they self-isolate due to #COVID19. You are a victim of online shopping fraud if you buy goods from an online seller that never arrive.

Computer Software Service Fraud

As more people work from home due to #COVID19, fraudsters may capitalise on slow networks and IT problems, to commit computer software service fraud. Be wary of cold calls or unsolicited emails offering you help with your device or to fix a problem

Lender Loan Fraud

People may be worrying about their finances during the #COVID19 outbreak. Lender loan fraudsters will use the opportunity to:

- approve your application for a fast loan regardless of your credit history

- ask you to pay an upfront fee

- take your payment and never provide the loan

Pension Liberation Fraud and Investment Fraud

Fraudsters could try to take advantage of the financial uncertainty surrounding #COVID19 by offering people sham investment opportunities. If you get a cold call or unsolicited email offering you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Mandate Fraud

As more people work from home due to #COVID19, fraudsters may try to get you to change a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, to divert funds to their bank account, by purporting to be an organisation you make regular payments to.

Phishing

A number of #COVID19 related phishing emails have been reported to Action Fraud. These emails attempt to trick you into opening malicious attachments which could lead to fraudsters stealing your personal information, logins, passwords, or banking details.

Update 26/03: The Government has only sent one text message to the public regarding new rules about staying at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Any others claiming to be from UK Government are false.

“Criminals are able to use spoofing technology to send texts and emails impersonating organisations that you know and trust. We would remind anyone who receives an unexpected text or email asking for personal or financial details not click on the links or attachments, and don’t respond to any messages that ask for your personal or financial details.

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