Don’t get scammed! Current circulating Coronavirus scams

Triston Hellard Smith

Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, there has been a 400% rise in fraud relating to COVID-19, according to Action Fraud.

It can be difficult to know what’s real and what isn’t, so we have put together some of the more common ongoing scams prevalent in the UK today, in the hopes it will help you stay safe and secure!

1. COVID-19 Tax rebate

This scam comes in the form of an email that looks as if it’s been sent to you by the government. DO NOT reply or click on any of the links in the email.

2. Fines for leaving the house scam

One of the more common text scams circulating at the moment is regarding a fine issued following leave the house for 3 occasions of more. DO NOT click the links or share any bank details!

3. Goodwill payments

Another common text scam is the ‘Goodwill payment’ text. It will present as coming from your local council, and the link in the text will ask you for your bank details. This is a scam, do not click the link or share any bank details!

Things to look out for

If you think you’ve received a suspicious email or text, there are a few things that you can do.

  1. Assume that all emails regarding financial matters or reimbursements are a scam unless you are absolutely convinced that they have come from an official source, such as your bank.
  2. Any government website will end with .gov.uk. If the web address does not end with this, then it is not an official government website.
  3. Don’t forget your bank or the police will NEVER ask you to transfer money, or move it to ‘safer’ accounts.
  4. No legitimate organisation (such as the NHS, the government, or your bank) will ever email you from an @gmail.com address.
  5. Check the senders email address, or any website URLs (without clicking or visiting the website), for small spelling errors that might be unnoticeable at first glance. Scammers will sometimes use extra letters or digits that most of us wouldn’t notice at first.
  6. Don’t open any attachments unless you’re completely sure who they’re from, and that they’re legitimate.  Also apply the same level checks to any website URLs within any attachments.

Can we help?

Many businesses are struggling during this crisis and we want to help. Find out what support we can offer to you and your employees. Please get in touch – we’d be delighted to chat with you.