Hartlepool officials' warning over fraudsters selling fake coronavirus testing kits

A wide variety of scams have been reported nationally both online and fraudsters knocking on vulnerable people’s doors posing as officials from the NHS or World Health Organisation and attempting to sell fake coronavirus testing kits and vaccinations.

Criminals have also been approaching elderly residents who may be self-isolating and offering to go shopping for them before disappearing with their cash or bank card.

Or they have been trying to sell them high demand items such as toilet roll and hand gels for grossly inflated prices.

Rachael Readman, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Acting Trading Standards and Licensing Manager, said: “In these difficult times, 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, or telephone calls claiming to be from government departments offering grants, tax rebates or compensation.

“Official organisations will never contact you in this way and only criminals will try to rush or panic you into a response.”

People are also warned to watch out for:

Phishing emails that try to get the recipient to reveal personal information such as passwords and financial details by clicking on a hyperlink or opening an attachment. Emails offering fake medical support, bogus charity appeals, high return investments and ‘healthcare opportunities’. Online shopping scams offering protective face masks, hand sanitiser and testing kits – when ordered and paid for, the items never arrive. Unsolicited emails, phone calls or texts that appear to be from HMRC with bogus offers of financial support or tax rebates. Loan or investment fraud and – in the case of businesses – mandate fraud.

People can contact Hartlepool Trading Standards on (01429) 523362.

If you think you have been the victim of fraud, call your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 1232040.