Conmen cheat vulnerable Hampshire residents out of cash claiming to be from coronavirus tracing teams

The crooks are targeting ‘vulnerable’ residents across Hampshire, the county council’s trading standards team has warned.

The scam involves criminals calling their victims and claiming to be from the NHS Test and Trace service – a system design to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Fraudsters claim their victims have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 and that they need to self-isolate and take a test.

However, the caller refuses to say who in the household has been infected and instead asks their unwitting targets to confirm their address so they can ‘send out a testing kit’.

Victims are then asked to provide their bank and card details, PIN number, social media details and call a premium rate number – those starting with 09 or 087 – to arrange payment.

The crime has been condemned by Councillor Keith Mans, leader of Hampshire County Council.

He said: ‘Many of us are relying more on technology to communicate and interact with friends, family and colleagues during the coronavirus pandemic.

‘Fraudsters know this, and they are turning to online scams to prey on those who may be unaware and vulnerable.

‘Our trading standards officers are alert to a scam on Facebook pretending to be the NHS Test and Trace service – a system in place to help trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus.

‘It’s important that we all work together to spread the word and stop fraudsters taking advantage at this time of national crisis.’

The news comes just days of Fareham Borough Council leader and county councillor, Sean Woodward, warned of a sharp rise in the number of frauds being reported across the county.

Speaking to The News last week, the Tory politician said charlatans, masquerading as Good Samaritans, were conning people trapped in isolation out of their money by offering to buy vital supplies and groceries for them.

‘We have certainly seen an upsurge in scams during this period. People are offering to get people’s food for them, taking card details, not turning up with food and emptying people’s bank accounts,’ he said.

‘Sadly, people are taking advantage of the situation. It's important that these tricksters are brought to book.’

Councillor Mans vowed the county council was taking action to track down fraudsters and bring them to justice.

‘We are determined to do everything we can to protect Hampshire residents not from just this scam, but all scams,’ he added.

‘Please make your friends, family members and neighbours aware, as being forewarned can often mean you are forearmed.’

For further advice or to report an issue to Hampshire County Council trading standards service please phone our partners at the Citizens Advice helpline on 0808 2231133.

To call police, dial 101 in a non-urgent emergency or 999.

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