Joseph Murray from Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch has revealed a number of scams that are exploiting peoples fears over the Coronavirus.
Joseph said the scams take several forms which include (so far):
"Individuals in some areas, posing as Medical Staff conducting Covid-19 tests in your home.
"Messages claiming to be from HMRC offering a tax refund due to changes in the law around Covid-19, recipients have to click a link which takes them to a fraudulent website.
"Messages claiming to be from the Centre for Disease Control or from the World Health Organisation. These messages offer the recipient the chance to view a list of confirmed cases within their local area by clicking on a link and making a Bitcoin payment.
"Emails claiming to be from a virologist sending an attached document with instructions on how to avoid the Coronavirus. The attachment is malicious.
"Fraudulent online sales of masks and hand sanitiser which never materialise. If an online shopping offer looks too good to be true, then it probably is.
"Please don’t allow allow anyone into your homes to conduct tests.
"Please do not click on links or open attachments and take time to check that the email is from a legitimate source.
"Please be aware that fraudsters will go to great lengths to make their communications with you look genuine.
"As Covid-19 continues to spread, fraudsters are likely to continue using the anxiety it generates to trick people out of their personal data and hard earned money.
"More than ever, as a community you need to be aware of those in your locality who are elderly, live alone and who are vulnerable.
"Please look after and support each other."
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