Don't get caught out by fraudsters

Fraudsters are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to target vulnerable individuals, and will exploit any means they can for financial or other gains.

Remain alert and vigilant

…particularly to requests for your bank account details or personal data.

We are receiving a large volume of requests for assistance. Some of these will not be genuine and will be from individuals or organised crime gangs trying to make money or obtain services for criminal purposes. If you apply to the council for financial assistance – for example for a payment from the retail and small businesses fund – please don’t be alarmed or offended if you are asked to provide additional information to prove you are eligible.

We have a duty to protect public money and ensure all government grants and funding is paid to genuine applicants.

Scams

Be aware of people offering or selling:

  • Virus testing kits - these are only offeredby the NHS
  • Vaccines or miracles cures - there is currently no vaccine or cure
  • Overpriced or fake goods to protect yourself from coronavirus (such as anti-bacterial procucts or face masks)
  • Shopping or medication collection services
  • Home cleaning services

Protect yourself and others:

  • Don’t be rushed into making a decision. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
  • Only buy from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information
  • Don't assume everyone is genuine. It's ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to push or panic you
  • If someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious of requests for money up front. If someone attempts to pressurise you into accepting a service they are unlikely to be genuine. Check with family and friends before accepting offers of help if you're unsure

The following are circulating on social media, by email or text message:

  • A scam which is targeting parents in schools. We have been alerted by the Department for Education (DfE) that some parents have received an email stating: “As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported”
  • A text entitled ‘GOV.UK CORONAVIRUS ALERT’. This states that an individual has been recorded as leaving home on three occasions and has therefore been fined £35. The individual is signposted to a link to find more information

Stay safe online

1.    Check that the message makes sense - watch out for bad grammar or spelling errors; does what you’re being asked sound right?

2.    Always confirm a message is genuine by calling the person / organisation - look up the contact information from a different place or source

3.    Never click on any link in an email or message if you do not know the sender or unless you are 100% sure

4.    Stop and think before engaging in any correspondence - don’t be rushed or pressured into responding

5.    Only use official sources for information around coronavirus

Online shopping scams

  • For example websites or individuals offering protective equipment (such as face masks) or hand sanitiser for sale that never gets delivered

Cold callers

Fraudsters are targeting people in their homes as a ploy to gain entry to steal property or to get personal information such as bank account or general financial details.

This could be people pretending to be:

  • officials offering COVID-19 home testing
  • police officers stating they were investigating coronavirus related matters
  • volunteers offering to help with shopping or other daily tasks

There are a number of genuine community–led organisations which have been set-up across the local area to help those people who are self-isolating, vulnerable or struggling to cope due to the lockdown and restrictions in place. These organisations will not ask for money in advance, they will only offer assistance in response to a request from you for help. They will not knock on your door unsolicited.  

All legitimate organisations will be happy to give alternative ways you can verify they are genuine. They will not ask you to provide your bank account details to them.  If a voluntary organisation is helping you with shopping they will advise you when they will be delivering, how they will expect payment and that they will observe the social distancing rules when at your property.

Further information and contacts

Find more informatin at the National Cyber Security Centre. 

You can also find help and advice at Gloucestershire’s Community Help Hub.
 
If you suspect you have been the target or victim of a scam you can report it to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.

You can also report any matters to the council’s counter fraud unit, who work on behalf of councils across Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire. You can email in confidence [email protected].

You can download the information on this page as a leaflet.