An urgent appeal has been sounded warning people to be on their guard against scams and cons under the cover of lockdown.
And they're being urged to look out for elderly and vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours who may fall prey to unscrupulous fraudsters.
Middlesbrough Council's Trading Standards team have drawn up a list of the sort of scams to look out for during the current period of national lockdown.
A variety of increasingly sophisticated scams use methods such as email, phone and text to dupe the unwitting.
These include:
Covid-19 vaccine scam text or visit
Various versions using the NHS logo claim the recipient is now eligible to apply for a vaccine. A link leads to request for personal information which is then used to steal the victim's identity or demand a fee for the vaccine. The vaccine is free and the NHS will never ask for bank account, card, PIN or password information, or any personal documentation such as passport or driving licence.
The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
DVLA scam
A text purporting to be from the DVLA says a vehicle tax refund is due. A link then leads to a cloned DVLA site which requires bank details to access - DVLA would never make contact by text.
Inheritance scam
A text from an ‘investigations team' seeks personal information to validate a claim to an inheritance fund. Once again it is simply a method to obtain personal and banking details to defraud the victim.
EE/Sky/Vodafone scam
A text claims the mobile service provider needs up-to-date personal information to process a bill - a link takes the unwitting victim to a cloned website which requires the usual personal information.
National Insurance scam
The victim receives a call informing them that their National Insurance number has been compromised - they are then pressured into giving over personal details which are used by the criminals running the scam to commit fraud.
Trading Standards are also warning that rogue traders are targeting the homes of older people in the Middlesbrough area, claiming that roofing work is needed on their property.
The work is rarely required, and if carried out is done to a poor standard and at an exorbitant price, with little chance of redress for the victim.
Councillor Dorothy Davison, Middlesbrough Council's Executive member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: "These sorts of crime are despicable and it is unbelievable that fraudsters are taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to play on people's fears and heap yet more misery on unsuspecting members of the public during these difficult times.
"The Council will do everything it can to protect people from these fraudsters, including warning people of the latest scams and the steps they can take to prevent them becoming the latest victims of crime."
Judith Hedgley, Head of Middlesbrough Council's Public Protection Service, said: "My Trading Standards team will continue to work closely with other enforcement agencies to identify the latest scams and doorstop selling crimes, warn the public of their tactics, and tackle the perpetrators."
Regular updates on all the latest scams can also be found on the Middlesbrough Trading Standards Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middlesbrough-trading-standards-545461258846279
For advice for clinically extremely vulnerable residents call Middlesbrough Council's support line on 01642 729777
The latest advice from Government and Public Health England can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
And they're being urged to look out for elderly and vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours who may fall prey to unscrupulous fraudsters.
Middlesbrough Council's Trading Standards team have drawn up a list of the sort of scams to look out for during the current period of national lockdown.
A variety of increasingly sophisticated scams use methods such as email, phone and text to dupe the unwitting.
These include:
Covid-19 vaccine scam text or visit
Various versions using the NHS logo claim the recipient is now eligible to apply for a vaccine. A link leads to request for personal information which is then used to steal the victim's identity or demand a fee for the vaccine. The vaccine is free and the NHS will never ask for bank account, card, PIN or password information, or any personal documentation such as passport or driving licence.
The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
DVLA scam
A text purporting to be from the DVLA says a vehicle tax refund is due. A link then leads to a cloned DVLA site which requires bank details to access - DVLA would never make contact by text.
Inheritance scam
A text from an ‘investigations team' seeks personal information to validate a claim to an inheritance fund. Once again it is simply a method to obtain personal and banking details to defraud the victim.
EE/Sky/Vodafone scam
A text claims the mobile service provider needs up-to-date personal information to process a bill - a link takes the unwitting victim to a cloned website which requires the usual personal information.
National Insurance scam
The victim receives a call informing them that their National Insurance number has been compromised - they are then pressured into giving over personal details which are used by the criminals running the scam to commit fraud.
Trading Standards are also warning that rogue traders are targeting the homes of older people in the Middlesbrough area, claiming that roofing work is needed on their property.
The work is rarely required, and if carried out is done to a poor standard and at an exorbitant price, with little chance of redress for the victim.
Councillor Dorothy Davison, Middlesbrough Council's Executive member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: "These sorts of crime are despicable and it is unbelievable that fraudsters are taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to play on people's fears and heap yet more misery on unsuspecting members of the public during these difficult times.
"The Council will do everything it can to protect people from these fraudsters, including warning people of the latest scams and the steps they can take to prevent them becoming the latest victims of crime."
Judith Hedgley, Head of Middlesbrough Council's Public Protection Service, said: "My Trading Standards team will continue to work closely with other enforcement agencies to identify the latest scams and doorstop selling crimes, warn the public of their tactics, and tackle the perpetrators."
- Anyone who has been a victim of a doorstop sale or scam should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, who take all initial calls for Trading Standards on a national basis - call 0808 223 1133 or visit https://citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer
Regular updates on all the latest scams can also be found on the Middlesbrough Trading Standards Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/middlesbrough-trading-standards-545461258846279
For the latest local updates and information, visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/covid19
For information on local help and support, visit www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/helpboroFor advice for clinically extremely vulnerable residents call Middlesbrough Council's support line on 01642 729777
The latest advice from Government and Public Health England can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
