Covid passport scam

Yet another scam to target the unwary and vulnerable – this one requesting payment in return for a ‘coronavirus digital passport’.

The email purports to have come from the NHS and states that it will allow you to travel safely and freely around the world without having to self-isolate – if you will say you had one or both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The email is also offering the passport to anyone who has recently recovered from coronavirus – asking anyone “who is eligible” to access their “digital passport” at the bottom of the email.

Clicking a hotlink takes you to a fake NHS website where you’re encouraged to provide personal details and payment information – for an administration fee.

Katherine Hart, Lead Officer at Chartered Trading Standards Institute, issued some advice about Covid-19 related scams.

Ms Hart said: “I have been tracking and warning the public about COVID-19-related scams since the beginning of the pandemic, and at every stage of response, unscrupulous individuals have modified their campaigns to defraud the public.

“The vaccine brings great hope for an end to the pandemic and lockdowns, but some only wish to create even further misery by defrauding others. The NHS will never ask you for banking details, passwords, or PIN numbers and these should serve as instant red flags.

“Do not provide any information to the scammers, but please also report suspicious messages to Action Fraud, or if in Scotland, Police Scotland, as this provides intelligence and assists authorities in combating scams.”

If you know someone vulnerable who may fall victim to this or any other telephone or email scam – please give them help and advice.

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