Health leaders urging Warwickshire residents to be aware of fake Covid-19 vaccination invites

Health leaders across Coventry and Warwickshire are warning patients and members of the public to be aware of fraudulent calls and text messages offering the Covid-19 vaccination.

The warning comes after some residents have received suspicious messages asking them if they wish to receive the vaccine and to disclose personal details.

In order to protect people against this fraudulent activity, heath leaders would like to remind patients and members of the public that:

~ the vaccine is only available on the NHS for free to people in priority groups,

~ the NHS will contact you when it is your turn

~ anyone offering a paid-for vaccine is committing a crime

~ the NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine, and never ask for payment or for your bank details

Dr David Spraggett, Chair at NHS South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We want people to be alert to potential scams and realise that the NHS will not ask you for bank details, to press a number on your keypad or to send a text asking you to confirm you want the vaccine.

“At this time, the NHS is currently only contacting people in the top priority group – patients aged 80 and over, care home staff and care home residents to receive the vaccine.

“When it is your turn to receive the vaccine, you will be contacted by the NHS and invited into a local vaccination hub.

“In the meantime, if you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, please hang up and report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

“If you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the police by calling 101.”