The following has been issued by Hampshire Police:

CRIMINALS ARE EXPLOITING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO DEFRAUD PEOPLE

Below are some of the most common scams to be aware of:

EMAIL, TEXT & PHONE CALL SCAMS

• An unexpected email from the government offering you money;
• The ‘infection list’ scam mimicking the World Health Organisation (WHO) claiming to provide a list or map of local infections:
• An email from HM Government asking for donations for the NHS;
• An HMRC email stating you are ‘eligible to receive a tax refund’;
• Sale of fake COVID-19 swabbing tests, supplements and anti-virus kits;
• A text message asking you to pay a fine saying that you have been recorded as leaving your home on three occasions during the lockdown;
• A phone call stating ‘government guidelines now require everyone to wear a mask outside the house, press 1 to purchase your mask’.

DOORSTEP CRIME

• Cleansing services that offer to clean drives and doorways to kill bacteria or offering to ‘decontaminate’ the inside of your home:
• Bogus healthcare workers offering ‘home-testing’ for the virus;
• Criminals offering to do your shopping. They take the money and do not return.

ADVICE & SUPPORT

Always question unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information (name, address, bank details). To verify the company, contact them directly using a known email or phone number. For advice on cybercrime, or to report suspicious emails visit www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware.

Anyone who has been a victim of fraud or cybercrime can report it online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call0300 123 2040.