How do I spot and avoid coronavirus fraud?

25 March 2020, 11:58 | Updated: 15 April 2020, 14:59

By Nick Hardinges

@NHardinges

Fraudsters are using the Covid-19 lockdown and pandemic to scam people out of their money and personal data.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned people to remain vigilant of fraudsters and scammers during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Criminals are trying to "rush and panic" people into buying items online and offering them deals that are "too good to be true".

So how can you stay safe when online and how can you spot a scam?

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What are coronavirus fraudsters doing?

Director general of the National Economic Crime Centre Graeme Biggar said some scammers pose as legitimate sellers of high-demand goods, such as face masks and hand sanitisers, or even fake testing kits and supposed cures of Covid-19.

Some may exploit people's financial concerns by asking for upfront fees for bogus loans, while scams can come in the shape of emails, phone calls, text messages or social media posts.

Others have targeted people's pension pots or the elderly and even posed as banks, police officers or the Government.

Mr Biggar warned that fraudulent activity is likely to increase as people move toward working remotely or from home.

Phishing scams - where legitimate-looking emails ask for money or personal details - are also a danger, with more than 200 people being reported to have fallen victim to them during the pandemic.

Specific examples include receiving emails from someone posing as the US Centre for Disease Control or the World Health Organisation, claiming to provide a list of local infections. To access the list, people are made to click a credential-stealing link or make a payment to an e-currency Bitcoin account.

How many people have been victims of Covid-19 fraud?

City of London Police reported a 400 per cent rise in reports to Action Fraud - the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre - during the outbreak.

From the 105 reports that were made to the centre since 1 February, people have lost just shy of one million pounds (£970,000).

How can I avoid being targeted?

Firstly, you must take your time when researching goods you purchase online. Be careful when responding to emails, messages from Government agencies, or requests for money made over the internet.

The NCA said that "only criminals will try to rush or panic you" or offer you deals that seem "too good to be true".

It is absolutely fine to ignore or even refuse these types of requests that are made online, especially if they are unsolicited. You should also never provide personal data - such as your full name, address and date of birth - as criminals may use this to steal your identity.

If you can, use anti-virus software to protect yourself from online viruses and malware (where links or downloads can put malicious software into your computer without your knowledge).

You should also avoid clicking links in emails or messages unless you know where it has come from, with the NCA adding that neither banks nor the police will ask people to transfer money or move it into a safe account.

I've been targeted, what should I do?

You should immediately contact your bank if you believe you have fallen victim to a scam or fraud. You should also report it to Action Fraud or Police Scotland.

Other things you can do to prevent it from happening again are changing your password and running your anti-virus software, according to the National Cyber Security Centre.