Viral scam Public warned of fake Covid-19 vaccination 'phishing' text circulating

The scam sends a text message to mobile phone owners which says: "We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine."

(Stock photo)

Jamie McDowell

January 07 2021 01:54 PM

A ‘phishing’ text message scam telling people that they are eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination is currently circulating in Northern Ireland.

The scam sends a text message to mobile phone owners which says: "We have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine."

The text contains a link to a website which bears the NHS logo and looks, as the police have described, like a professional and legitimate site.

Unsuspecting victims are then asked for their name, credit card or bank details.

The PSNI have said any link you click on which asks for your bank details or personal details is likely to be a scam.

An example of the scam text messages which have been circulating

A spokesperson added: "Scams come in many forms and this one is just the latest attempt by fraudsters to exploit the pandemic for financial gain."

The police have offered the following advice:

Do not open attachments or click on links in emails or texts from numbers you don't know.
Never give out your personal information, banking details and passwords in response to an email, text or phone call without verifying the caller is who they say they are.
Block any numbers you find suspicious.
Always go to a website directly, by typing out the address yourself when logging into an account. Do not click on links.
Keep an eye out for spelling mistakes in messages and emails.