Police, politicians and NHS medical staff are all warning people to be wary of a vicious new scam inviting people to take the vaccine.

The NHS text scam encourages users to apply for the new Covid-19 vaccine via a "extremely convincing website" before asking for card details.

Neighbourhood Watch called the new scam "very believable and therefore highly dangerous," whilst dozens of others officials and bodies have warned people to be wary.

 


 

The scam starts with a text, seemingly from the NHS saying the user is now eligible to apply for the new vaccine.

A clickable link takes you to a genuine-looking website which asks the user to complete a form asking for your name, DOB, address and payment card details.

All forms of the Covid-19 vaccine, currently the Pfizer and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, are all being offered free through the NHS with no payment required.

 

 

One user said they became suspicious when the link asked for bank details, and then noticed spelling mistakes on the site and in the SMS, a classic sign of a phishing scam.

With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue as fraudsters look to take advantage of the rollout to so many people.

Neighbourhood Watch's advice is as follows: 

  • Do NOT click on links in unknown texts - always check it first
  • NEVER give out your personal details.
  • With the recent approval of multiple vaccines in the UK, these types of scam attempts are likely to continue as fraudsters look to take advantage of the rollout to so many people.
  • Cold calls regarding the vaccine are also beginning to take place – we’ve already had reports of scammers asking people to pay for it over the phone. If you receive one of these calls, hang up.