Covid jab scam sparks warning
Fraudsters target care workers
CARE workers in Carmarthenshire are being targeted by fraudsters claiming to be from the NHS who are offering them the chance to get a Covid-19 vaccination.
Hywel Dda University Health Board has said that people working in the care sector have been emailed by someone who claims to be from the health service, asking them to register so that they can book a slot to receive their vaccination.
A spokeswoman said: “They ask for the person to register and provide personal data, including bank details. This is a scam.”
They added that the NHS would not ask for bank details in this way.
CARE workers in West Wales are being targeted by fraudsters claiming to be from the NHS who are offering them the chance to get a Covid-19 vaccination.
The scam seems to centre around elderly residents and care home workers, two groups who are at the forefront of the coronavirus vaccination roll-out.
However, a Welsh health board and a police force have warned people that this communication is in fact an attempt to try to obtain personal information.
Hywel Dda University Health Board, which manages health care in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, has said that people working in the care sector have been emailed by someone who claims to be from the health service, asking them to register so that they can book a slot to receive their vaccination.
But, they said, the email is never sent from a legitimate NHS or government email address.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Hywel Dda said: “People working in the care sector in Carmarthenshire are being warned of Covid-19 vaccine scams.
“Fraudsters, claiming to be from the NHS, have been sending emails to care workers offering them a chance to get the vaccination. They ask for the person to register and provide personal data including bank details. This is a scam.
“Always check the sender’s address and if it’s not a .gov.uk or .nhs.uk address the chances are it isn’t genuine. Also, the NHS would not ask for your bank details in this way.”
Meanwhile, in North Wales, elderly people are being contacted by fraudsters who try to arrange a time for someone to come into their home to administer a Covid-19 vaccine.
In setting up the appointment, the caller tries to obtain personal details and even bank details to secure a payment for the vaccine, but police are making it clear that payment will never be needed when receiving a Covid-19 vaccine, and that vaccinations will not take place inside people’s homes.
A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “We’re aware of a scam involving fraudsters contacting elderly victims telling them someone is coming to their home to give a Covid-19 vaccination.
“The NHS will contact you when it is your turn, you won’t be asked for payment, and the vaccine won’t be administered at home.”
■ If you think you have been the victim of fraud, or want to report a potential scam, you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.