Coronavirus: Hartlepool families warned to watch out for fraudsters during lockdown

Trading Standards has issued a warning for Hartlepool families to be on their guard against fraudsters during the coronavirus lockdown.
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Officers have called for the town’s residents to be wary of fraudsters who may be looking for different ways to take advantage during the outbreak of Covid-19.

There have been reports across the UK of opportunists knocking on vulnerable residents’ doors, posing as officials from different organisations and attempting to sell fake testing testing kits.

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Criminals have also approached the elderly, offering to go shopping before disappearing with the resident’s cash or bank card.

Hartlepool Civic Centre.Hartlepool Civic Centre.
Hartlepool Civic Centre.

People are being warned to watch out for:

Phishing scams. Emails offering fake medical support. Online shopping scams offering protective face masks, hand sanitiser and testing kits. Criminals using Government branding to try to trick people. Loan or investment fraud and in the case of businesses, mandate fraud.

Rachael Readman, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Acting Trading Standards and Licensing Manager, said: “People must remain vigilant against fraud, especially if they are asked to share their financial and personal information or passwords and computer logon details.

“With the huge increase in people working from home, it’s expected there will be a surge in phishing scams across the country.

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“Official organisations will never contact you over the phone and only criminals will try to rush or panic you into a response.”

If you are worried about a cold caller or a scam, you can contact Hartlepool Trading Standards on 01429 523 362.

If you think you have been the victim of fraud, call your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

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