South Wales Police issues warning of 'heartless' vaccine scam

South Wales Police has warned residents across Swansea about a 'heartless' Covid vaccine scam.

"Heartless fraudsters are offering false #COVID19 vaccines in a bid to cheat others out of their hard-earned cash, and make money from a pandemic in which thousands in South Wales have died," the police force said in a statement on Facebook.

Alerts have been issued about fraudsters offering a fake Covid vaccine in exchange for a fee, as well as about fraudulent texts being sent in a bid to get people to part with personal or financial information.

Cases of fraudulent texts and vaccines have been reported across the UK. In some cases, fraudsters pretending to be from the NHS or a local pharmacy have called unannounced at a victim's home to offer to administer the vaccine in return for a cash payment.

Police warn that they may also telephone would-be victims to offer the vaccine for a fee, or to ask for bank details.

People may be asked to press a number on their keypad or to send a text message to confirm that they want to have the vaccine. This could either add a charge to a victim's phone bill or result in personal information being collected.

In some cases, fake websites have been created, containing convincing-looking NHS vaccine booking forms which may ask for bank details.

South Wales Police has asked the public to be vigilant and to warn others about such scams, including those who may not see advice online.

Detective Inspector Nick Bellamy, from South Wales Police's Economic Crime Unit, said: "These criminals are innovative, manipulative and can be extremely convincing, and are choosing to take advantage of the global pandemic in an attempt to line their own pockets.

"The Covid vaccine will always be administered by the NHS, free of charge, and you'll never have to provide bank or financial details, nor passwords or PINs, to get one.

"Fake messages or phone calls purporting to be from the NHS or government may ask you to provide personal information or click on a link, or offer a Covid-related government grant. Again, these are scams."

The force wants to remind the public that the NHS will never:

• Ask for payments. The vaccine is free of charge
• Ask for bank details
• Arrive at your home, unannounced, to give the vaccine
• Ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents (e.g. passports)

DI Bellamy added: "Throughout the pandemic we've seen people come together to help their community and take the necessary measures to keep each other safe and protect our NHS, and the rollout of the coronavirus vaccination offers us all some hope.

"While a small minority may try to use the situation to scam others, we can all look out for loved ones and passing on this advice so they can spot the signs of a scam."

If you've been a victim of fraud or identity theft, or think you might have been, contact Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.

You can also visit SWP Report Online or call the police on 101.

Forward suspicious emails to [email protected] to be investigated; suspicious text messages can be forwarded to 7726.

You can anonymously report information relating to vaccine fraud via Crimestoppers' Covid Fraud Hotline or on 0800 587 5030.