Covid related Scams

[Hammy]

My better half has just received a scam text from a mobile no 07759129422 which reads as follows;
"NHS: You've been near someone with the Omicron Variant. Apply for a Test Kit today:
https://urgent-test-kit.com".
Like the use of capitals and colons!

[SteveH]

A scam warning has been issued across the UK as “thousands” of Covid related text scams continue to be circulated every single day.

Compared to the first week of January 2022, the first week of February has seen an 290% increase in Omicron-related smishing lures, according to cybersecurity researchers at Proofpoint.

Scammers are pretending to be NHS Track and Trace telling them they have been in contact with someone who may have Omicron, and then encourages them to complete an order for a test kit via a malicious website link.

The online ordering process would then capture and steal the personal information including possibly credit card information and/or NHS healthcare ID.

It’s important to remember the NHS and the Government will never ask for personal details.

Advice to avoid NHS Covid scam
Jacinta Tobin, vice president of Cloudmark Operations for Proofpoint, said: “Consumers need to be very sceptical of mobile messages that come from unknown sources. And it’s important to never click on links in text messages, no matter how realistic they look.

“If you want to contact the purported vendor sending you a link, do so directly through their website and always manually enter the web address/URL.

“For offer codes, type them directly into the site as well. It’s also vital that you don’t respond to strange texts or texts from unknown sources. Doing so will often confirm you’re a real person to future scammers.”

[SteveH]

NORTH Wales Police is urging people to vigilant of scams after a person was conned out £55,000.

The force said Covid-related scams are still being commonly reported.

The latest saw the victim receive a text message they thought to be from the NHS stating that they had been exposed to Covid and further advising that they needed to order an urgent PCR test.   

The victim believing this to be a genuine message from the NHS, clicked on the link which took them to a website where they ordered a PCR test and paid a small fee which they thought was to cover postage costs.

North Wales Police warns of new scam causing 'fear and anxiety'

A few days later the victim received a call from a person purporting to be from their bank advising that there was a virus on their phone and enquired about their accounts. They instructed the victim to log into their online banking account and to change their password.   

The victim soon realised that £55,000 had been taken from their bank account.

In this and similar cases the criminals obtain the victim’s details including name, address, phone number and bank details from the form that the victim fills in on the malicious website where they believe that they are ordering the PCR test from the NHS. They have accessed the malicious website by clicking on the malicious link on the fake NHS e-mail.

North Wales Police said: "Please be careful and also make sure that your family, friends and neighbours know about Covid scams such as this one and the potential consequences of clicking on malicious links in fake scam e-mails."

[SteveH]

Watch out for fake text messages pretending to be from the NHS. Since Jan 1st, 412 victims have reported losses totalling more than £531,000. Please use the following links if you would like to see an example of the fake NHS messages reported to Action Fraud:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/actionfrauduk/status/1498945958427594752?s=20&t=RL99N7i-yXmXcqU2xUbiiw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actionfraud/photos/a.411244602226592/7380075412010108/

What you need to look out for:
Be aware of requests for personal information in messages claiming to be from the NHS.
Be alert to links or attachments in unexpected messages claiming to be from the NHS.
Do not respond to requests for money, bank details or passwords. The NHS will NEVER ask for payment or any financial details.

How to report scam messages:

If you are suspicious about an email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.
If you are suspicious about a text message, forward it to the number 7726 (it’s free of charge).
 
For information on NHS coronavirus testing, visit: www.nhs.uk
Message Sent By
Action Fraud
(Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

[SteveH]

Criminals are still using COVID testing to target the public with fake text messages.

Remember:

❌The NHS will NEVER ask for payment or any financial details.

Since Jan 1st, 412 victims have reported losses totalling more than £531,000.

✅Report suspicious texts by forwarding to 7726 (It's free).

#NWPCyberSafe

Message Sent By
Dewi Owen
(North Wales Police, Cyber Crime Officer, North Wales)

[SteveH]

The NHS is warning about widespread scam text messages telling recipients they have been in close contact with a Covid case.

"We've seen reports of fake NHS text messages about ordering Omicron Covid-19 test kits," it tweeted.

Close contacts of people who have tested positive are no longer advised to test.

The aim of the messages appears to be harvesting financial and personal information.

Read more   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-61882239

NHS
@NHSuk
⚠️ We've seen reports of fake NHS text messages about ordering Omicron COVID-19 test kits.

We never ask for bank details, so please be aware of suspicious messages.

[SteveH]

Jet2.com issues Covid test scam warning to all UK travellers
Countries that still require PCR tests have gifted an opportunity to scammers

A warning to all customers about what appears to be a series of scams, one of which relates to Covid testing. Some destinations still require travellers from the UK to take PCR or lateral flow tests ahead of and/or after arrival, which has opened a door for potential scams.

These usually have to be paid for separately, with a number of providers offering testing kits. However, Jet2 has said it does not "arrange PCR tests or Fit to Fly documents" and urged passengers: "please do not respond to requests for this".

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/trips-breaks/jet2com-issues-covid-test-scam-24848869