Vaccine needle

Covid-19 vaccine related banking scams are now starting to circulate according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).

Fraudsters pretending to be the NHS are texting people messages that say “we have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine”, alongside a link to a scam website mocked up to look like an NHS landing page.

There, victims are asked to enter their personal details, including their name and address as well as banking information, for verification.

While the scam was first reported in the Western Isles of Scotland, it may well spread to other parts of the UK.

Katherine Hart, lead officer at CTSI, said: “The NHS will never ask you for banking details, passwords, or PIN numbers and these should serve as instant red flags.

“Do not provide any information to the scammers, but please also report suspicious messages to Action Fraud, or if in Scotland, Police Scotland, as this provides intelligence and assists authorities in combating scams.”