The UK National Health Service said on Saturday it has teamed up with law enforcement and security agencies to warn the public not to suffer artists who are trying to take advantage of a coronavirus vaccination campaign.
England’s top doctors have teamed up with Action Fraud and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to launch a consultation reminding people that vaccines are only available for free at the NHS, and health service workers will never ask for payment to receive it.
It comes as a 33-year-old man was charged by City of London police with five offenses including common assault and fraud on the fraudulent administration of a “COVID-19 vaccine” after being linked to old woman.
“We know how happy people are to be vaccinated when it comes to doing so, but sadly we see that excitement also brings out the cheaters, the crooks and the crooks. the conmen who want to make a quick buck, ”said Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care.
“Remember, the vaccination is always free on the NHS. Our staff will never ask for, or accept, vaccination money, will never ask for your banking information or identity documents, and will never come around your house without warning, ”she said. .
The warning comes as temples and mosques in the country have launched a campaign to counter false news surrounding the two vaccines currently being administered in the UK – the Pfizer / BioNTech and Oxford / AstraZeneca jobs. .
“We have encouraged people to be aware and vigilant of any vaccine scams, sharing the usual NHS advice from their websites,” said a spokesman for Neasden Temple in London.
The warnings come amid several reports of criminals attempting, and in some cases succeeding, to steal money or personal information from people who want to get vaccinated.
In one real case, a man in London knocked on the door of a 92-year-old woman and gave her a fake vaccine before he paid 160 pounds, which he said the NHS would get back.
In other cases, people report suspicious text messages with a link to a hosting site that is similar to an NHS page, but asks for personal information including bank account numbers.
Dog artists have also been known to use phone calls to make payments or bank details that can be sold to organized criminal groups or used to order goods online and pay.
“The vaccine is a vital tool in fighting the coronavirus and keeping people safe. Fortunately, the number of reports on Action Fraud is very low but we have seen an increase in the last two months, especially around scam text messages, ”said Pauline Smith, Head of Fraud Action .
“Remember, the NHS will never ask for your bank account or card information. Anyone who wants to pay for the vaccine is a fraud, ”she said.
As of January 10, Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting center for cyber fraud and crime, said it had received 65 reports on the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The advice is very simple. The vaccine is only available on the NHS, and you will not be asked to pay for it or provide your bank information. Anything that suggests otherwise is a fraud, “said Graeme Biggar, Director General of the NCA ‘s National Economic Crime Center.
The NHS said public voting has consistently shown a high level of commitment to the COVID-19 vaccine, which is now available at more than 1,000 sites across England.
“Vaccines are our way out of this pandemic. It is vital that we do not allow a small number of unscrupulous cheaters to undermine the ongoing efforts of the nationwide team to protect millions of people from this terrible disease, ”said the Health Secretary. of RA, Matt Hancock.
The vaccines are distributed free of charge by the NHS, with letters going out to eligible sections of those most at risk of death from coronavirus and frontline staff throughout the NHS, some hospitals, GP surgeries or pharmacies.
The UK government has set a target to cover all vulnerable groups by mid-February before extending the vaccination program to other lower-risk adults.