Latest from the Fraud Office
Published: 24 November 2021
We have received the following scam information in a newsletter from the Kent Fraud Alert System.
" Instant Messaging Scams Circulating in Kent
We have received several reports this week of people receiving the following scam type messages impersonating a family member or friend and seeking them to pay monies to a Bank account.
Below is a typical format one of these bogus type messages/chats –
“Hey mum it’s me. I got a new number u can delete the old one.”
“Whose me”
“your oldest and cutest child xx.”
“What’s up”
“Could you help me out I need to make a couple of payments for things as I am a bit short of money and my Bank account has been blocked due to fraud and I need to pay these urgently”
If you get any unexpected messages like this from a family member or friend, asking for money, “Take Five” and think before acting and then apply ABC and Confirm if it genuine by ringing the persons old telephone number and not the new number supplied by them (the fraudster).
If you think that you may have been a victim of this type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040.
Coronavirus – NHS Covid Pass Scams
I have been contacted by a resident who has stated that they received an email impersonating the NHS requesting them to click a link and supply personal details to obtain a Covid passport and at the same time to confirm an appointment for a Covid-19 booster vaccine.
There were some clues to it being bogus, firstly the email address was not from @nhs.net. Secondly the email stated that the intended victim was required to reply to this invitation within 12 hours of this notification, which the NHS would never do.
Finally, the email also did address the person by name but by their actual email address, E.G MrJones@youremail.com.
Remember the NHS will never ask you for personal data or financial details to book a booster vaccine.
If you think that you may have been a victim of this type of scam, then contact your Bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040. "
To view the KFAS Newsletter in full please click here.