Hartlepool businesses warned over grants scheme scam as fraudsters target firms during crisis

Bearing a ‘GOV.UK’ heading and the title ‘Covid-19 Government Business Grants’, the phishing email claims to be from the ‘Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)’ of the local council.

The email says the recipient has been awarded the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant and asks them to click on a link.

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The grant is part of the Covid-19 support announced in March by the Government to help the most-affected firms manage their cash flow through this period.

Noel Adamson, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Head of Audit and Governance, has warned of the latest scam phishing emails and urged people to be wary of suspicious-looking communications.

He said: “We would urge businesses to be on the alert for emails such as these, purporting to be from reputable organisations such as the Government or local authorities.

“Their aim is to try to get the recipient to reveal personal information such as passwords and financial details by clicking on a hyperlink or opening an attachment.

“The fraudsters then use these details to try to steal the recipient’s money from their bank account.

“If you receive a suspicious-looking email, never click on any attachment or link.

“Any communication about Coronavirus-related business support grants in Hartlepool would be sent directly by Hartlepool Borough Council to the named recipient.”

He added any Hartlepool companies uncertain whether grant-related communication has come from the council can check with the revenues team on 01429 284277 or email [email protected].

The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund, subject of the scam emails, has been responsible for providing much support for businesses in Hartlepool during the Covid-19 outbreak.

To date more than £16million has been paid out to Hartlepool businesses in Government grant funding made available to help battle pressures stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

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The money paid out is made up from the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund, along with the Small Business Grants Fund.

Figures from the Government state as of last week a total of 1,419 payments of such grants have been made to businesses in Hartlepool, totalling £16,005,000.

The statistics stated the local authority had identified 1,580 businesses who ‘may be in scope’ to receive a grant, meaning there are just over 150 who have not yet received the support.

Any eligible business who have not yet claimed the grants just need to complete an application form, which can be found at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/smallbusinessgrant.

For more information about scams visit Action Fraud – the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre – at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

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