Covid-19 vaccine text message scam sparks PSNI vigilance warning across the north

Police have warned of a text message scam circulating telling people that they are ‘eligible’ for the Covid 19 vaccination.
By Brendan McDaid
Published 7th Jan 2021, 10:54 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The scam message reads: ‘We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine’, and links to a convincing, but fake, NHS page which then asks for bank details.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “If you receive a text or email that asks you to click on a link or for you to provide information, such as your name, credit card or bank details, it’s a likely to be a scam.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Scams can come in many forms and this one is just the latest attempt by fraudsters to exploit the pandemic for financial gain.”

Reports of fraudsters targeting local people via phone and internet are increasing.Reports of fraudsters targeting local people via phone and internet are increasing.
Reports of fraudsters targeting local people via phone and internet are increasing.

People are being urged to safeguard themselves by heeding the following this advice:

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

* Never give out your personal information, banking details or passwords in response to an email, text or phone call without verifying that the caller is who they say they are.

* Block any numbers you find suspicious.

* Always go to a website directly, by typing out the address yourself, when logging into an account. Do not click on links.

* Keep an eye out for spelling mistakes in messages and emails.