Woman targeted by vaccine scammers day after getting jab
AWOMAN has told how she was targeted by a Covid vaccine scam the day after she received her jab
Hellen Watson, 69, of Hurdsfield, was given her first dose on Wednesday, February 10, and then was called the next day by a man with a ‘gentle voice’ claiming to be a doctor.
He told her he was calling to arrange an appointment for a second vaccination that would be delivered at her home.
Although Hellen was suspicious and refused the offer she is speaking out to warn other people about what she believes is an attempted con.
She said: “He had a pleasant and gentle voice, he either knew I’d had my first jab and somehow had that information or was just guessing.
”I thought it was strange, they are obviously targeting older women, some of who will live alone. What they would do on entry to the home can be only guessed at but it is troubling on many levels.
”My main concern is that it all sounded plausible at first and if one is sheltering or in isolation, one might be very happy to be visited at home for an vaccination rather than go to another place to receive it.”
Hellen, a mum-of-two who lives with her husband Nigel, says the first alarm bell was that she had never heard of such a scheme.
Then the caller said the injection would be free as it was a ‘government drug’ - an odd turn of phrase that heightened her suspicions.
She describes the man as having a foreign accent and says there was a background hum on the call.
Upon dialling 1471 she found that the phone number had been withheld.
Hellen checked with her friend who is a doctor, who confirmed that no such home vaccinating scheme existed.
She added: “I’m worried that they will be getting through to people who are more vulnerable than I am,
”Afterwards I felt uncomfortable about it, then angry that someone would do this in the middle of a pandemic when people are anxious.”
Hellen has reported the matter to the police and told people at Hurdsfield Holy Trinity Church, which she attends.
Cheshire Police has warned people about vaccine scams offering for it to take place at residents’ homes.
A spokesman said: “Your GP practice will contact you directly to make an appointment to have the vaccination.
” The caller will identify themselves and say they are calling on behalf of your GP and they are getting in touch about booking an appointment for a coronavirus vaccine.
“The caller will then offer dates and times for you to attend clinic and will not ask for any other personal details other than asking you to confirm your name.”
“My main concern is that it all sounded plausible at first”