Many people have been receiving emails and texts from scammers within the past 18 months pretending to be the NHS in a bid to steal their personal data.
However recently in a Facebook group for scammers in Scotland, one user took a screenshot of an email they received which said that they were to click on a link and confirm their details as they were 'eligible' for a travel certificate.
The news comes as users across Scotland have reported glitches with the NHS Scotland Covid Passport app which launched on Thursday. The errors are a national issue which will now allow anyone who is fully vaccinated to access their vaccination records.
In response to scams that a person may receive and not referencing this one in particular, Trading Standard Scotland said: "Since the Scottish Government began the roll out of their Covid-19 vaccination programme, there have been several reports that scammers are sending messages or phoning and claiming to be from the NHS, telling people that they are eligible to apply for their vaccine.
"Scam messages usually ask the recipient to click on a link leading to an online form which looks similar to the real NHS website – these bogus websites ask them to enter personal and financial details.
"There have also been extremely concerning reports of scammers posing as NHS staff who have visited vulnerable people at home and offered them the vaccine for a fee, or even administered fake vaccines.
"The Covid-19 vaccine is free. If you are offered it at a price, it could be fake, stolen or non-existent. You will be contacted by NHS Scotland by letter or phone to arrange your vaccination appointment when you are eligible."
The NHS will NOT ask you for the following:
- Your bank details
- Payment for the vaccine
- Prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as passports
- Register to receive the vaccine
- Arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine
If you are unsure about a message you have received in relation to Covid-19, call the NHS Scotland national helpline on 0800 030 8013 .
Avoid cyber threats and misleading information about vaccinations or other medical developments related to Covid-19 by checking official sources.
Report contact tracing scams to Advice Direct Scotland. If you have been the victim of a fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101.
