After months of anticipation, the first Covid-19 vaccines starting rolling out across the UK last week.
The jab is initially being given to elderly people and frontline NHS workers, with most Brits not expected to be offered the vaccine until 2021.
Now, experts have warned that scammers are preying on hopeful elderly people with hoax calls claiming to offer the jab.
The recorded messages tell the victim to press a number to arrange a booking, but once the resident presses the number they will then be charged via their phone provider.
Wirral Council has received several reports of the scam, and has issued a warning on its Facebook page.
It said: “We have been made aware of an alleged scam targeting elderly people in the New Ferry area, involving an automated phone message offering people a Covid vaccine.”
Ray Walsh, Digital Privacy Expert at ProPrivacy, has urged consumers to be wary of any incoming calls from unknown numbers.
He said: “Reports of scam phone calls targeting elderly citizens waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine are extremely concerning. Out of all the scams we see targeting the elderly and vulnerable this is by far one of the cruellest.
“Those at risk and urgently waiting for a Coronavirus vaccine are urged to remember that they will not receive calls from the NHS asking them to press a number on their keypad to make an appointment.
“Unfortunately, anyone who receives a call that asks them to press a key to be forwarded to make an appointment for a vaccine will likely instead receive a large charge on their phone bill.
“Although the scam calls have so far been noted in New Ferry area it is vital for consumers to remain wary throughout the UK because as the vaccine is rolled out across the country, so too will this malicious scam.
“Consumers need to be wary of all incoming phone calls, even if they appear to come from a legitimate number.”
