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Perth and Kinross residents are being urged to be vigilant against “utterly horrific” text and email scams targeting those awaiting their COVID jabs.
Constituents have even contacted a local MSP with their concerns after receiving messages claiming to be from the NHS health board or the government, which seek personal information to process vaccine test applications.
The messages provide a link “for more information” or “to confirm” – but all is not what it seems.
The links take those who click on them to a very convincing mock NHS or GOV UK page where scammers seek to obtain personal information, including details of a bank card “to confirm the correct account”.
People are being advised not to click the links in the text messages and to warn elderly and vulnerable friends and family members about the circulating scam.
Locals are also asked to be on the look out for spelling or punctuation mistakes to identify the “immensely plausible” scams.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart has been contacted by worried constituents.
He has urged people to remember that there is “no requirement to pay for vaccinations or to use card details to confirm ID. And remember organisations such as health boards or the UK Government would never contact patients and constituents in this way”.
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for equalities and older people Mr Stewart added: “These scams are utterly horrific and they display just how low these individuals are stooping to, as they prey on peoples’ anxieties during a health crisis such as the one we’re all living through currently.
“Letters in blue envelopes are still being sent out regarding the vaccination programme for example, so I implore our residents all over Perth and Kinross to just ignore these fake texts or emails.
“We must make sure that all our family, friends and neighbours, especially the vulnerable or those not used to dealing with electronic communications, are absolutely made aware of what to look out for and are advised never to send any information requested or click on a link.
“Other emails and/or texts going round include those promising ‘council tax reductions’, offering ‘tax refunds’, or requesting contact tracing information, plus there have also been reports of fraudsters making calls pretending to be online retailers telling folk their accounts have been blocked and requesting payment to have them reinstated.
“These are all immensely callous and highly dangerous practices and I would implore all my constituents to ignore these texts or emails and to just hang up on these calls if they occur.”
Labour Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley also urged people to be cautious to avoid falling victim to scammers, highlighting the work of Police Scotland to raise awareness.
He said: “Scammers try to take advantage of people at this time of year and unfortunately people will fall victim to their ever increasingly sophisticated scams.
“These criminals are particularly active over Christmas, so it is vital people remain cautious.
“More than a million scam text messages will be sent across the UK in the week around Christmas and now more than half of them will use parcel deliveries to try to trick people.
“So far this year there are reports of over ten times more scam messages than in 2020.
“Given how much business has moved online this year, it is easy to fall victim to these fake messages or emails with scammers taking full advantage of the times.
“Impersonation scams have also more than doubled this year, so I would urge people to be careful with their personal data and information.
“Don’t give out any personal details unless you are completely sure who you are giving it to.
“Royal Mail have said they will never text or email asking for money or more information, if you see this you should report it to be safe.
“Currently only about a quarter of us report these but Royal Mail is asking us to send them details so they can take action.
“Consumers can forward any suspicious message to 7726 or via the Royal Mail website.
“The regulator Ofcom also has information about scams on its website.”
