'Huge spike' in scams across Staffordshire since lockdown

In Staffordshire, the county’s Trading Standards service has seen a 33 per cent increase in the number of scams between April 1 and June 19 this year compared to the same period last year and is warning people to be on the lookout.

The 122 scams this year have included fake emails from HMRC, refund emails and doorstep scams.

One new scam has been relating to track and trace, and there have been four reports in recent days.

Callers have been contacting residents saying they are from NHS track and trace, telling the resident that they have been in contact with someone suffering from Covid-19 and need to have a test sent out to them.

This is followed with a request for the resident's bank details – the caller states that the test and results cost £500.

If you need a test sent out to you because you are unable to attend a test site, this is done for free, both delivery and collection, followed up by the result.

Gill Heath, cabinet member for communities at Staffordshire County Council said: “Over the last few months we have seen a huge spike in the number of scams and it’s very worrying to think that one in three people may have been affected.

“Popular scams include, fake emails from HMRC, refund emails and doorstep scams. They may seem genuine, but are designed to obtain personal information, infect computers or take your money.

“We appreciate that many scams can appear genuine but If people are in any doubt at all they should ignore the offer, delete the email or hang up the phone if it’s a telephone call. As always, people should be very wary about any unsolicited approaches.”

Nationally, over a third of adults have been the target of a scam since lockdown began, according to research by Citizens Advice.

The charity has seen calls from members of the public concerned about bogus testing kits, vaccinations and government refunds, resulting in a 19 per cent increase in visitors to their website.

Polling also showed that certain groups were at an increased risk of being contacted by a scammer, often those who could least afford it.

Of those with a disability or long-term illness, 45 per cent said they had been targeted. Half of those at an increased risk of coronavirus or shielding had been contacted and 54 per cent of those who have lost personal income due to the virus have also been contacted.

The research was carried out as part of The annual Scams Awareness campaign, from June 15 to 28 which is urging people to share and report their experiences of scams and look out for others. The two-week campaign is being organised by Citizens Advice and the Consumer Protection Partnership.

Some tips from Citizens Advice include: look into installing a call blocker to help combat telephone scams, talk to your or their bank immediately if there is any suspicious activity or transactions from their account or credit cards an report the scam to Citizens Advice who will give you advice on what to do next and report the scam to Trading Standards.

People can report online scams to Citizens Advice Scams Action service online at citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/get-help-with-online-scams/ or on 0808 2505050 .