All you need to know about Covid 19 scam messages

It is sad to say that there are a number of scams in circulation relating to the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The ones circulating in the last few days are produced to look like an official confirmation of a vaccination appointment, it would be easy to mistake this for a genuine communication. See below an example of a fraudulent message.

Everyone should be on their guard against fraudulent text and email messages as new scams are being sent out all the time. If you can you should warn anyone you know, who might be expecting to get a call for a vaccine, that these are circulating.

The way it works is people are receiving a text or email notification of their ‘vaccination appointment’ and are being asked to confirm it by clicking on a link. This looks very similar to the genuine texts being sent to patients to arrange their appointments at the GP led vaccination services. However, when you click through the criminals objective is to get bank details and payment.

NHS guidance on fraudulant meessages is as follows.

• The COVID-19 vaccination is ONLY available from the NHS and it is FREE – you will never be asked to pay for it or give your bank details.
• If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up.
• If you receive a text or email that you believe to be fraudulent please delete it. Please be assured that if you don’t respond because you are worried and it is a genuine text or email, you will remain on the vaccination list and be contacted again
• If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, report it to Sussex Police online or by calling 101.

How to spot a genuine text message.

• An official NHS text message from your GP practice or the organisation arranging the appointments for your GP practice such as the local GP Federation will include their details such as the name of the Practice, group of Practices or the name of the Federation working on their behalf. It may also include details of the vaccination centre. Scam text messages and emails usually don’t include this information 
• An official NHS text message from the national booking system will be a reminder text so will include details of your booked appointment including date, time and location

If you have any further concerns about something you have received please contact the Sussex COVID-19 vaccination programme team on sxccg.vaccineenquiries@nhs.net