NHS in Leeds urges people not to fall for these Covid vaccine scams

They are reminding people that the vaccine is free of charge and only available through the NHS.

The NHS will never ask for your PIN number, banking password, bank account or card details.

Healthcare professionals from the NHS will also never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.

NHS staff will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport or driving licence.

The warning comes as the Yorkshire Evening Post continues its Stop the Scammers campaign which aims to raise awareness of the tactics being used by criminals.

We have been promoting the work of organisations who bring the criminals involved to justice as well as those who are there to offer support and advice for victims.

To help prevent being a victim of fraud, the advice is that if you are suspicious of a phone call, hang up straight away.

If you have received a suspicious email, you can forward to [email protected]

Any suspicious texts you receive should be forwarded to the number 7726.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud, you can report this to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Other scams to look out for:

Other scams to take note of include fake Covid job adverts, a fake text to taxpayers and a fake email for Royal Mail customers.

Fake Covid-19 related jobs have been advertised on social media, including roles such as admin support, Covid testers and others. The advertisements ask for personal and financial

details to commit identity theft.

A SMS message has been sent to mobile phones specifically targeting anyone filing a tax return for the 2019/2020 financial year.

The message states that the recipient is due a rebate and asks them to click a link which then asks them for personal details.

Royal Mail has warned of a ‘depot’ scam which involves a fake email informing the recipient that they have missed a delivery and to pay additional charges to rearrange delivery.

How the Covid vaccination programme is working:

If you have been invited for your vaccine from the NHS, you can book your appointment through the NHS website.

You can currently only book your vaccine if you:

- Are aged 64 and over

- Have received a letter saying you are at high risk from Coronavirus

- Are an eligible front-line health worker

- Are an eligible front-line social care worker

- Are eligible for Carer’s Allowance