Police and officials are continuing to urgently remind the public to remain vigilant in the wake of an ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine text message scam.
The organisation reported that it has received evidence of fraudulent messages being sent to the public informing them that a dose of the new COVID-19 vaccine is available to them.
People are being sent a text message claiming to be from the NHS which informs the recipient that: “We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine.” and the message ends with a link to a bogus website mocked up to look like a legitimate NHS platform.
ADVERTISEMENT
The website requests personal details, including name and address, and most-concerningly asks for banking details, which are supposedly for verification.
Remember, the vaccine is only available on the @NHSuk and is free of charge.
If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, or pay for the vaccine, this is a scam #coronavirusfraudspic.twitter.com/7YnDXGd2Zi
The CTSI has confirmed that this is the latest in a series of scams themed around the pandemic in circulation since last March.
With the UK vaccine rollout now underway, scammers have modified their hacking attempts to consider this new development, with such phoney messages first being reported at the end of December by people living on the Western Isles of Scotland, and leading the NHS on the Isles to inform the public that: “Health Boards will never ask for any details about your bank account.”
ADVERTISEMENT
This scam is by no means limited to the region though, and people throughout the UK are warned that they may receive similar messages.
CTSI / AP
Speaking on the rise of the scam, Katherine Hart – Lead Officer at CTSI – 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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.”
Greater Manchester Police has also issued a warning to local residents regarding the issue on social media this week, confirming that: “Fake NHS text has been circulating telling people that they’re eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Do not click on links in unknown texts [and] never give out your personal details.”
#ScamAlert | A fake NHS text has been circulating telling people that they're eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine. ❌ Do not click on links in unknown texts ❌ Never give out your personal details Report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or https://t.co/2hu3W1PrwJpic.twitter.com/AmJ8LE2Sb8
Action Fraud – the UK’s national reporting service for fraud and financially motivated cyber crime – has also confirmed this week that it is continuing to receive “a high volume of reports about fake coronavirus vaccination emails and texts”.
ADVERTISEMENT
A total of 1,166 vaccine-related scam emails were reported over 24 hours.
⚠️ We continue to receive a high volume of reports about fake coronavirus vaccination emails and texts.
You can report suspicious messages to Action Fraud here, or call – 0300 123 2040.
Trending
First images of King Charles III on new coins revealed
Danny Jones
The first images of King Charles III‘s likeness on the next 50p coin have been unveiled by the Royal Mint as the nation prepares to transition into a new form of currency.
Revealed on Friday, 30 September, the UK’s official coin maker unveiled the first piece of legal tender. The incoming 50p features Charles’ face in the classic profile position and a new design on the reverse that harks back to the design featured on Queen Elizabeth II‘s 1953 coronation coin.
As you can see, the new coin includes the four quarters of the Royal Arms depicted within a shield and in between each shield is an emblem of the home nations; a rose, a thistle, a shamrock and a leek.
Credit: Royal Mint
Martin Jennings, Designer of His Majesty King Charles III’s effigy, said in a press release: “It is a privilege to sculpt the first official effigy of His Majesty and to receive his personal approval for the design.
“The portrait was sculpted from a photograph of The King, and was inspired by the iconic effigies that have graced Britain’s coins over the centuries. It is the smallest work I have created, but it is humbling to know it will be seen and held by people around the world for centuries to come.”
Jennings is also responsible for designing the new commemorative £5 coin, customary for marked occasions such as the change over of monarchs.
Credit: Royal Mint
The limited edition £5 coin will form part of a wider memorial coin collection following the passing of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
There is an estimated £4.5 billion worth of existing currency – approximately 27 billion coins of various denominations alone – thought to be in circulation, not to mention things like stamps, meaning that we will likely have to get used to carrying both old and new coins.
This isn’t the only significant change Britons can expect either, as earlier this week the Royal Family revealed the new King’s new cypher which will replace the Queen’s ‘EIIR’ seal across the UK, such as on the gates of Buckingham Palace and on postboxes.
‘Loyal’ Cheshire Police dog scoops prestigious crime fighting award
Emily Sergeant
A Cheshire police dog and his handler scooped a coveted crime fighting prize at a prestigious awards ceremony last week.
PC Chris McDonough, 31, and his three-year-old companion Police Dog Toro have formed an incredible partnership over the last two years they have worked together at the Alliance Policing dog section for Cheshire and North Wales, and to prove just what a brilliant team they are, the duo have received national recognition for their commitment to the job at the second annual Thin Blue Paw Awards.
The pair won the ‘Crime Fighting Duo Award’ at a glittering presentation ceremony held at Knebworth Park last Thursday.
The popular Crime Fighting Duo Award award celebrates a serving police dog and handler team who are constantly achieving outstanding operational results.
PD Toro and PC McDonough from Cheshire Police have been awarded our Crime Fighting Duo Award. This dream team have had many career highlights, including Toro detaining a prolific offender by his Crown Jewels.
The pair were nominated for the award by Chief Inspector Simon Newell for their excellent achievements over the last year – which have included finding missing people, runaway suspects, and stolen property, and for making more than 20 arrests.
They also supported the firearms section in major call-outs, and kept world leaders safe at the 2021 G7 Summit in Cornwall.
“When I found out that we were getting the award, it was really humbling and overwhelming,” PC Chris McDonough said on receiving the award.
“For once, I was speechless.
“It’s nice to just get nominated for an award and to have a little bit of recognition for the work that PD Toro and I are doing, so to find out that we had actually won was great – I was made up.”
Our crime fighting duos are top dog for the second time running in national awards!
Well done to PC Chris McDonough and his canine PD Toro on @ChNWPoliceDogs (a unit we share with @NWPolice) for this year’s win at the @ThinBluePaw awards.
Chief Inspector Newall added of the duo’s award-winning success: “The road to becoming a dog handler and getting your own crime fighting canine is an arduous one which takes dedication and skill.
“PC Chris McDonough and PD Toro have done us proud, and their exploits highlight what the team are doing to keep residents in Cheshire and North Wales safe, often in difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances.
“This award recognises PC McDonough’s handling abilities and tenacious PD Toro’s fantastic loyalty.
“Their partnership has gone from strength to strength, and they are now a formidable crime fighting duo with an incredible ‘rap sheet’.”
The Manc -
27th January 2021 
