Warning over scammers touting fake crisis grants

● Texts pose as government website in bid to steal bank details

Householders are being urged to watch out for a new Covid-19 text scam involving fake “crisis grants” of £1,500.

Reports of fraud have risen significantly during the pandemic, with dozens of scams across Scotland.

Now Highland Council has received reports this week of a new text scam that offers bogus grants.

Individuals will receive a text before being asked to check their eligibility by clicking on the link “gov. crisis-grant”, which poses as an official government site but is part of an attempt to secure personal financial information.

Mark McGinty, trading standards team leader at Highland Council, said: “In this type of scam, the scammers are hoping that those in our community who are in real need of financial assistance will click on the link.

“The link clearly isn’t a link to an official government site and by clicking on it the recipient runs the risk of opening up their personal and financial data, which will likely be used for criminal purposes with no thought for the harm it may cause the individual concerned.”

Police have also launched an appeal in the Western Isles after fraudsters used the government’s guidelines on face coverings as a way to target islanders through a new phone scam.

The caller impersonates a police officer in a bid to frighten people into thinking they have broken the law by not wearing a face mask.

Islander Stephen Campbell was one of several victims targeted in the area.

The fraudster identified himself as PC Alan

MacDonald from Stornoway Police Station and said he was investigating reports Mr Campbell had been in shops without a mask – demanding a list of premises he had visited in the last seven days.

Mr Campbell, who received the call at 11.25pm, said online that the man had been “very aggressive and pushy” and had a “threatening manner”.

He wrote: “Worried for elderly or vulnerable who might end up terrified by these things.”

A police spokesman said: “The calls are not genuine and we are advising people not to give out any information and to report the calls to police.”

Other scams have included people posing as local council staff, offering to buy groceries for selfisolating or shielding individuals, taking their money but failing to return.

Rogue traders have also offered cleaning services in order to disinfect driveways, properties and even doorbells of the virus.

Marjorie Gibson, head of operations with consumer advice. scot said: “Scammers are deliberately using the coronavirus crisis to target people for financial gain.

“Their sickening acts can have long-term consequences for people, both financially and emotionally. The scams can look very convincing, and anyone can fall for them.

“Telltale signs to look out for are unsolicited calls, emails or texts, or being asked for personal or security details.”

UNSCRUPULOUS: The crisis grant scam is one among many targeting people who may be feeling the pinch due to the Covid-19 lockdown