Scots are being warned not to fall for cold calls and texts from scammers flogging dodgy face masks, hand sanitisers and home testing kits; reported The Daily Record on-line newspaper in June:
Trading Standards Scotland warned the con artists were targeting consumers across the country and claiming that their face coverings were more effective against Covid-19.
The scammer is believed to offer face masks, gloves and hand gel for £29.99 and gives misleading information about the killer virus in a bid to scare their intended victim.
The watchdog is urging Scots to report calls where they are being asked for their bank details to purchase the suspect goods.
A statement on their website said:
“There have been reports by Scottish consumers this week about cold calls offering face masks, gloves and hand sanitiser for £29.99. The caller quoted some misleading statistics about Covid-19 deaths in an attempt to scare the consumer and claimed that 'normal masks' weren't as effective as the ones they were selling, before asking for bank details.
Consumers should be wary of masks or face coverings being sold through online marketplaces or from unknown sellers which claim to be PPE or to offer medical-grade protection. Counterfeit or poorly made masks may offer a false sense of security and may not provide the advertised level of protection.”
They also warned of a similar scam where people receive automated voice calls claiming that wearing a face covering is now mandatory in Scotland.
They added:
“The CTSI have reported another similar phone scam, where an automated message says that the wearing of face masks is now obligatory, in an attempt to encourage the consumer to purchase an overpriced mask.”
In a further development, scammers are circulating the Covid-19 'home testing' text message and appearing to be from the NHS; to try and gain access to people’s homes. It asks homeowners to go into a separate room while a testing team enter their house.
Trading Standards Scotland has issued a warning after the bogus message appearing to be from the NHS:
"This is an attempt by fraudsters to gain entry to your home.
The text specifies a date and time for the visit and says the "team" will telephone the recipient upon arrival.
The text states that the team "will enter your property and we will remain inside the front door to put on our protective clothing".
It adds: "You must wait in a separate room before we come to you."
Katherine Hart, a Lead Officer for Doorstep Crime at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, issued a warning over the text, saying:
"This is simply an attempt by thieves to gain access to people's homes under cover of coronavirus measures. Members of the public should ignore these text messages and report them to Action Fraud in England and Wales, or to Police Scotland if in Scotland."
NHS Test and Trace will never ask you for financial details, PINs or passwords. They will also never visit your home.
To report instances of scam texts, emails, or other suspected scam messages, go to the Action Fraud website or call Police Scotland on 101.
You can also report suspicious texts by forwarding the original message to 7726, which spells SPAM on your keypad.
Anyone who receives suspicious calls of this nature are urged to contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.
Source: Daily Record
