The Covid-19 crisis has provided several opportunities for scam artists to take advantage of anyone worried about the virus or the economy.
We are going to focus on phone, text, email, and doorstep scams, though scams can also take the shape of websites. Whatever the method, all scams are built to either spread misinformation, trap data, spread malware, or trick you out of money.
Scams are also becoming more sophisticated, with certain phone numbers or web pages being replicated to look like legitimate government or financial agencies.
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself. Here, we'll break down some of the most common scams right now, what red flags to look out for, and how to handle it.
GENERAL RULES FOR SPOTTING A SCAM:
- Does it seem too good to be true?
- Have you been contacted unexpectedly or out of the blue?
- Are you being asked for personal or private information?
- Are you being told to act urgently or keep something secret? (Note: No legitimate organisation, government or otherwise, will ever threaten jail time over the phone or via text/email for not paying a fee.)
- Is money being requested?
-Do the contact details look wrong?
PHONE SCAMS
Common phone scams right now include:
- Calls from the "council", Public Health England, or the NHS to check on wellbeing.
-Calls from banks or HMRC.
-Calls from "charities" asking for donations.
-"Investment opportunities".
-Track & Trace
Worryingly, scammers are now developing ways for callers to appear on your phone as legitimate numbers, perhaps even a number you've previously received contact from.
- If there's a recorded message and it asks you to wait on the line, call another number, or press a key to connect, it is likely to be fake. Hang up. If any matter is actually urgent, other contact attempts will be made, or you can call the organisation yourself.
- Make sure the person calling is from a real organisation. Check the number they've given you and check the website. Do you they have a real, physical address? Does the contact number they've given you match up with what's advertised on the website?
- If there's another person on the end of the line, was there a delay between you picking up and them speaking?
When in doubt, hang up. Wait twenty minutes, and then call the organisation back using the number they have listed in a directory or on their website. Fake websites do exist, so if you aren't familiar with the company or organisation, see if there are independent reviews of their services.
TEXT SCAMS
Similar to phone scams, common text scams currently include:
-Texts claiming to be from the government, NHS, HMRC, or banks. Trace and trace scams are also rising.
- Texts promising benefits payments, government scheme payments, or holiday refunds.
-Texts claiming you've broken restrictions or been exposed to the virus.
Do not tap any links in a text.
Any time you are asked to tap or link somewhere, it's unlikely to be a legitimate text.
-Do the websites or links in the text look real? For example, the above text from the "NHS" provides a link without the word "NHS" in it.
-As previously mentioned, urgency or a threat of police action, especially out of the blue, is a big red flag.
-Pay attention to spelling and grammatical errors. Most organisations have teams checking all their communications before they go to the public. If there are basic errors, this is probably a scam.
-Google the company or organisation to find out what their real policies are and the best way to contact them.
If you aren't familiar with the company or organisation that's contacted you, see if there are independent reviews of their services.
EMAIL SCAMS
Much like texts, common email scams include:
- Emails claiming to be from the government, NHS, HMRC, or banks.
- Emails promising benefits payments, government scheme payments, or holiday refunds.
- Emails claiming you've broken restrictions or been exposed to the virus.
You're also more likely to see "special offers" such as:
- Consumer discounts
- Investment opportunities
- Pension changes
- Refunds from cancelled plans
Do not click on links included in emails if you do not recognise the sender or have suspicions.
-Does this seem like a real company or organisation?
-Do the websites or links in the email look real?
-Are there spelling or grammatical errors?
Google the company or organisation to find out what their real policies are and the best way to contact them.
If you aren't familiar with the company or organisation that's contacted you, see if there are independent reviews of their services.
DOORSTEP SCAMS
These are often targeted at older or more vulnerable individuals.
The most common examples include:
- "Good Neighbour" scams- When a person comes to your door offering to run errands for you if you pay or reimburse them in advance, but they never return.
- People selling sanitising products and sevices or PPE at highly inflated prices.
- People claiming to be from the NHS and offering home Covid tests, vaccinations, or treatments.
-There are also diversion scams, where the person will keep you speaking at the door while someone else scopes around the house either to find a way in now or come back later.
Some of these scams have immediate monetary gain, such as taking money to buy milk or selling you hand sanitiser. However, someone coming into your home, or sending a friend to scout the home, could have more significant long-term effects on your safety and well being.
-Be alert.
-Make sure doors and windows are locked before answering front door.
-Have you ever seen this "neighbour" before? What's their name? Which house do they live in?
- Know that the NHS does not conduct any at-home visits without warning.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A SCAM
-Report it
-Change your passwords
-Call the bank and try to get any payments frozen or refunded.
-If at any time you feel threatened, call 999.
If you've been contacted by a scammer or seen something you believe is a scam, report it. Citizen's advice can help with this.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Citizen's Advice
Government Resources
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