Residents across Bath are being warned about a text message scam that is currently circulating, relating to the coronavirus vaccine.
Photo © Alex Gakos / Shutterstock.com
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards Team has received various complaints of fraudsters trying to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout by sending convincing text messages to scam people out of financial information.
The text messages claim to be from the NHS and state recipients are eligible to receive the vaccine.
Included in the message is a link to a fake application form, which asks for personal information and a credit card number to “confirm” their identity.
The hyperlink contains the words application-ukform.
Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “Sadly there are some very unscrupulous people who have no qualms about taking advantage of others even in the most testing of times and the pandemic has provided them with the perfect opportunity to pray on people’s fears and vulnerabilities.
“Please do not fall for these types of scams. The NHS does not charge for the vaccine and will never ask you for your credit cards details.
“Please be wary of any unsolicited emails, texts or calls.”
