UNISON Hertfordshire

Warning after COVID vaccine scam texts received
 

Dear Watch Member,

Scammers have been contacting elderly people claiming they can arrange COVID vaccines for a fee.

Three people in Hertfordshire were contacted during December via text messages, which included a link that went through to a webpage that asked them for personal and banking details. All the victims realised it was a scam and did not handover any details.  

The NHS is the only organisation that has access to the vaccine and will never ask for payment.

If you are contacted, please do not engage with the fraudsters, the NHS is currently contacting eligible people but if you are asked for money it is not a genuine call or text.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud please report to 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Scams can come in many forms and is an incredibly sophisticated crime, making it more difficult to distinguish genuine messages from the fake.

• Do not open attachments or click on links in emails or texts from senders you don’t know.

• Never give out personal information, financial details or passwords in response to an email, text or phone call without verifying that the person is who they claim to be.

• Block any numbers that arouse suspicion.

• Set up spam filters on all of your accounts.

• Always go to a website directly, by typing out the address yourself, when logging into an account.

• Keep an eye out for numerous spelling mistakes in messages, these are normally linked to phishing emails and texts.  

We all make mistakes and these days the scams can be incredibly convincing. If you think you, or someone you know has been a victim of online fraud:

• Let your bank know what’s happened immediately.

• Report the offence to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website www.actionfraud.police.uk

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Regards,
Terry Morris
Watch Liaison Officer
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 01707 355807

Police Contact Advice

• Telephone 999 in an emergency where there is a danger to life or a crime is in progress.

• Telephone 101 for non-emergencies where police attendance is required, to report a crime or to report any other incidents.

• Alternatively, visit www.herts.police.uk/contact to report a non-emergency crime online or chat to a police operator live via our web chat service.

• If you are calling about the above message, please tell us that you are responding to a message from OWL.

Please do NOT press the reply button because this address is not monitored. If you wish to contact the person named above please email them directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (click the link). This email was sent using OWL. It is used by Hertfordshire Constabulary to meet the modern requirements of community schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch. The content of t