New Coronavirus vaccine scams targeting care workers and the elderly in Aylesbury Vale

Under the condition that they provide their bank details to the fraudsters.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has warned the scam text messages say: “We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine”.

The texts claim they are from the NHS.

The text message has a link to a scammers’ website - created to look like a legitimate NHS site - which asks text recipients for their name, address and bank details.

They have also warned of a 'tax rebate scam' claiming to be from the government are offering a support people through this challenging period of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Again, the emails, which look official, inform the recipient of the rebate amount and request that they click a link to receive it.

At the link, the recipient is asked to fill in personal details, including their credit card number and address. These details allow the scammer to take money directly from the recipient's bank account.

Katherine Hart, lead officer at CTSI, said: “I have been tracking and warning the public about COVID-19-related scams since the beginning of the pandemic, and at every stage of response, unscrupulous individuals have modified their campaigns to defraud the public.

“The vaccine brings great hope for an end to the pandemic and lockdowns, but some only wish to create even further misery by defrauding others. 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.”

Citizens Advice (CitA) has launched advice on coronavirus scams. CitA has an excellent scam checker, and you can access it by clicking here.