Milton Keynes residents warned about scam texts for NHS COVID-19 passes

    The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has been sent evidence of a recent text scam themed around the NHS COVID pass.

    The message, which claims to be an official communication from the National Health Service (NHS), reads: "NHS: We've noticed you haven't applied for your COVID pass, please follow the link to complete registration to avoid fees...".

    The message then links to a website made to look like a real NHS platform that asks the recipient to provide personal details, supposedly for registration purposes, but which could be used to undertake identity fraud.

    Speaking about the scam, CTSI Chief Executive John Herriman said: "Since the first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, CTSI has witnessed countless scams themed around the pandemic.

    "I have received many fake COVID-19 messages myself, and I don't think a single person hasn't received one. It appals me just how relentless the fraudsters are and how unscrupulous they are to target the public at a time of unprecedented vulnerability. 

    "We need a national conversation about public protection, and on how enforcement agencies including trading standards can adapt their methods to meet the challenge of a fast-evolving threat from fraudsters in our increasingly digitalised economy.

    "I look forward to the upcoming CTSI Symposium in Birmingham next month, which will bring together trading standards and other consumer protection professionals from across the country to discuss this, among many other pressing issues."

    CTSI Lead Officer, Katherine Hart, added: "The public should apply for an NHS COVID Pass or vaccination certificates on the official platforms, which are different, depending on if they are resident in EnglandScotlandWales, or Northern Ireland

    "Whenever we receive these messages, we should not only avoid these scams, but also report them to Action Fraud, or if in Scotland, contact Police Scotland. By reporting scams, authorities can build a fuller picture of this dangerous fraud blighting communities throughout the United Kingdom."

    If you think you’ve been a victim of online fraud, you can report it directly to Action Fraud online by clicking here or by calling 0300 123 2040.

    For consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. 

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