As COVID-19 continues to dominate our lives, we’d like to remind you through this website that online scammers are continuing to operate: we have provided below a list of some of the scams with which people are being targeted. Also, you will find Government advice on cyber security during the pandemic here.

  • Free Tesco Vouchers. This includes a link to a (spoof) website where recipients can register to claim ‘vouchers’ – in the process victims divulge email logins and personal details.
  • COVID-19 Government Grants. Scammers claim to be from the ‘UK Business Advice Bureau’ offering grants up to £25,000. The victim must enter further details to gain more information about the scheme.
  • World Health Organisation (WHO) grants/compensation. This claims the victim has been selected to receive a grant worth $15,000 or a compensation payment of $500,000. Victims must contact a ‘payment department’ and provide them with their personal details in order to progress.
  • COVID-19 rapid testing kits. Scammers claim to be from a business called ‘Clarity Medical Healthcare’ selling rapid testing kits for COVID-19. The emails link to a (bogus) website were victims can enter their details to ‘pre-order’
  • Virgin Media. Victims are advised to click on a link to view their bill. The email looks fairly legitimate, however minor details such as billing amount are incorrect (it’s often stated as ‘£60.78’) Other emails claim to be from the ‘e-billing team’ and advise that the victim’s account is frozen as their bank details cannot be validated. Again, these emails look ‘normal’. They feature a link to ‘re-validate or amend billing details’ (which provides fraudsters with the opportunity to steal their email passwords and personal details.)
  • Online shopping fraud. Beware of the many bogus websites claiming to sell face masks, hand sanitiser, loo rolls, ‘immunity gels’ and COVID-19 testing kits etc.
  • Donation requests. These come via email/text from ‘charities’ marketing themselves as helping the vulnerable during the pandemic.
  • Bogus banking calls. Callers claim bank accounts have had unusual activity or been compromised. Victims are pressurised into giving away password/PIN details and/or setting up a new (fake) account. Victims have also been advised not to visit and/or contact their normal bank branch due to the pandemic.
  • Rental property scams. This is where victims are persuaded into making advanced payments against rental properties that they have not seen due to COVID-19, and (in most cases) do not even exist.
  • Financial assistance fraud. This comes via email/social media where scammers pose as a friend of the victim and use COVID-19 as a reason to request financial assistance from them. Victims believe they are helping a friend.
  • Pet adoption scams. Animals are offered for sale and sellers use COVID-19 as an excuse for victims not being able to see the animal in person. Victims are persuaded into making advanced payments to secure the animal, which is subsequently never provided to them.
  • Automated messages. These claim to be from the Government advising that all individuals must now wear a face mask in public. Victims are given a number to call to make an order.
  • Emails urging investment. These are especially in (bogus) bitcoin schemes.
  • Emails directing download. These are of a ‘live map’ of coronavirus cases. The download is in fact malware which infects the victim’s device and attempts to gain unauthorised access to their network.
  • Courier Fraud. This is where victims receive an unexpected phone call claiming to be their bank or even the Police. The caller advises of an issue with the victim’s card and asks for their PIN & address details. A ‘courier’ then arrives at their address to collect the victim’s card.
  • ‘Smishing’ texts spoofing HMRC. These are texts claim to be from HMRC advising victims of potential tax rebates. They link to a (fake) website where the victim must enter their details in order to see if they are ‘eligible’.