Action Fraud has issued an article setting out Scams related to Covid-19 that the public should be alert for at the current time. The scams are as follows:

Covid-19 financial support scams:

Fake government emails designed to look as if they are offering grants of up to £7,500. These contain links to steal personal and financial information from victim.
Scam emails offering access to Covid-19 relief funds, encouraging victims to hand over personal information.
Council tax reduction emails containing government branding with links to fake government websites used to obtain personal and financial information.
Emails offering help to apply for Universal Credit, whilst taking some of the payment in advance for their “services”.

Health scams

Fake NHS Test & Trace emails claiming that the recipient has been in touch with someone diagnosed with Covid-19. These include links to capture personal and financial information.
Fake adverts for Covid-related products such as hand sanitiser and face masks, which do not exist.

Lockdown scams

Fake TV licensing emails offering 6 months of free TV licence due to the pandemic. Victims are told there has been an issue with the direct debit and are asked to click on a link to a website deigned to steal their information.
Fake emails from online TV subscriptions services claiming there is an issue with their payment details, with the intention to steal card data.
Exploiting online dating websites, by creating fake profiles on social media websites to manipulate victims into handing over their money.
Fake investment opportunities, encouraging victims to “take advantage of the financial downturn” and to invest in fake companies.

The campaign wants people to take a moment to stop and think before parting with their money or information in case it’s a scam.