Wash your hands off coronavirus scams!

Friends Against Scams aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams.

Learn more about different types of scams, visit www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk

An easy read version of this infographic is available, to download click here (PDF)

 

 

Beware Fake 'test and trace' scams

This is a warning about the latest scam relating to Covid Track & Trace.  The conversation goes like this:

"Good afternoon I'm calling from the NHS track and trace service.  According to our system you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19,  This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test"
"OK. Can you tell me who that person was"
"I'm not able to tell you that. It is confidential information"
"Right, so what happens next"
"You need to be tested within 72 hours. So can I get the best mailing address so that we can send you a test kit?"
"OK and gives address"
"I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalise this and send the kit to you."
"Sorry - a payment card?  I thought this was all free?"
"No - I'm afraid not.  There is a one-off fee of £50.00 for the kit and test results.  Could you read off the long card number for me please, as soon as you are ready"
"No - that is not right.  This is part of the NHS so there is no charge."
"I'm afraid there is.  Can you give me your card number please - this is very important and there are penalties for not complying"

At this point the person being called put down the phone! It is a scam PLEASE don't fall for it no matter how much pressure you are put under. Please take care and stay safe. 

Some scams to watch out for and how to protect yourself.

 

Take Five - General advice.

Only use official GOV COVID-19 for guidance. 

Royal Mail scam and hoax

Our Watch Coordinators received from their residents about a scam involving a card posted through door from a company called PDS [parcel delivery service] suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and you need to call them on 09066611911 a premium number. If you call the number you start a recorded message and you have already been billed £315 for the phone call. If you receive a card with similar details you can contact Royal Mail Fraud 02072396655 .

One Coordinator phoned Royal Mail Fraud and they have said that this phone number has been shut down and no longer works for this scam. 

Please beware of these still circulating on social media and visit Royal Mail of the scams they are aware of.

Action Fraud is reminding everyone that a chain email circulating warning about a postal scam that could leave you £315 out of pocket - is a hoax.

You can also contact the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) - The UK regulator for content, goods and services charged to a phone bill.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service Scam email

A local Bexley resident received a phishing scam email claiming to be from HM Courts & Tribunals Service.

In the screenshot, an email is titled HM Courts & Tribunals Service and will state in the subject “Your Fixed Penalty Notice Ref:” followed by a series of numbers and shows a “Click here to Pay” link to pay online by credit card. Fortunately, the resident spotted the scam and alerted us.

Please, if you receive this in your inbox or via text message do not fall for it and advise others that may be unaware.

Please be aware of such phishing scams or report to report@phishing.gov.uk. 

For more details visit Action Fraud.

Beware of Green Homes Grant scams, cold calls, phishing texts or emails

The government’s Green Homes Grant has just commenced and homeowners in England can now apply get up to £5,000 of vouchers for energy-efficient home improvements

To get a government voucher, you’ll need to complete an online application for a recommended home improvement, get a quote from a listed certified installer and have the quote approved. The work must completed by 31 March 2021.
 
Full details can be found here. Scam texts, calls and emails telling consumers they were legible for grants under the new scheme began before the scheme opened!
 
If you receive a cold call or letter from someone claiming to be able to help you with the new government grant, hang up and report the call to Action Fraud on  0300 123 2040.

Beware TV Licence phishing email or text scam

Trading Standards are aware of an increase in TV licence scams since it is no longer free to all over 75’s From 1st August 2020, anyone aged 75 or over who is not in receipt of Pension Credit (a benefit available to pensioners on low incomes) needs to pay for their TV Licence. TV Licensing is writing directly to anyone affected by the changes over the next couple of months. We would therefore like to raise awareness about the potential rise in TV Licence scams. 

Cybercriminals have taken advantage of the change by sending scam emails and texts. Anyone who receives the phishing email should avoid clicking any links and forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.

Fake TV licence email can be spotted by checking for spelling and grammar. A genuine  email will come from donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk.

TV Licensing will always address customers by name, while scammers will often use a generic term like ‘customer’.

The genuine website address is www.tvlicensing.co.uk. While scammers try to replicate the link, there will always be one missing detail or an additional hyphen.

For the avoidance of doubt, contact TV Licensing directly and do not click on any suspicious links.

More information can be found here https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ288

New local covid 19 test centre for Bexleyheath

A new local coronavirus testing facility is to open this week (1 October) at 221 Erith Road, Bexleyheath DA7 6HZ, as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to increase testing availability.

Once fully up and running the new site, run by Deloitte for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), will be open from 8am to 8pm. Appointments will be made available each day to book online, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

The Mayoress of Bexley, Christine Hunt, a theatre nurse based at Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup, together with Bexley’s Director of Public Health, Anjan Ghosh, visited the site on Wednesday (30 September) the first ‘pilot’ day to see how it will operate going forward.

Anyone experiencing a new, continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of or change in their normal sense of smell or taste, should book a test online. It is vital that only people with symptoms should get a test.

It is vital that only people with symptoms should get a test.   

Other people in an individual’s household should not get a test unless they also have any of the three symptoms listed above. However, all members of the household need to self-isolate while waiting for the test result.  

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) but cannot get a test within five days of your symptoms first developing, you must protect yourself and others by self-isolating for 14 days. 

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