RESIDENTS are being warned about coronavirus vaccine fraudsters praying on elderly and vulnerable people. 

Hampshire County Council (HCC) and the NHS are urging residents to take note of vaccine scams.

The scams involves individuals approaching members of the public offering them a vaccine in exchange for money. 

The coronavirus vaccine is free and the NHS will not charge you for it or come to your door to offer it to you.

Councillor Judith Grajewski, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Public Health said: “The vaccine is a vital tool in our fight against COVID-19 and a safe and effective way to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. Sadly, there have been cases reported of dishonest individuals approaching members of the public to offer vaccines in return for payment. Therefore, we want to remind everyone that the COVID-19 vaccine is free of charge and that the NHS will get in touch when it is your turn to receive it.

“If you’re contacted by anyone claiming to be from the NHS who asks for payment or a fee - or who gives you a link to a website to take payment for the vaccine - it is a scam.

“No-one from the NHS would come and knock on your door unannounced and you would not receive emails inviting you to click on links. If anyone approaches you in this way, or attempts to force or coerce you into handing over funds – in person or otherwise – always contact the police.”

Those most at risk of being targeted by scammers are the elderly, as well as those who live alone, are self-isolating or are in financial difficulty. Many scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods to target people.

Councillor Grajewski added: “I completely understand that many people are keen to get their jab as soon as possible, but please remember the COVID-19 vaccine is only available from the NHS. No-one can pay for it and jump the queue. If a private organisation contacts you suggesting they can provide the vaccine, it will be a scam.”

Other coronavirus-related scams include:

•             Sales of fake products such as face coverings, supplements, anti-virus kits and sanitisers, which may be harmful or never arrive

•             Bogus healthcare workers who try to gain access to your home by claiming to offer testing for COVID-19

•             People pretending to be from charities offering to do shopping or carry out cleaning tasks

•             Emails asking for donations to the NHS (spelling and punctuation errors in the text and unusual email sender details are a clue that the email is fake)

Information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme is available on the NHS website.

If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk