Scam Share Bulletin

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In this edition of Scam Share we'll look at some of the most recent scams which have been reported by consumers across Scotland, including those related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Google reported this week that they are blocking around 18 million scam emails related to Covid-19 each day: a fifth of all hoax messages sent to Gmail accounts. Cyber criminals are taking advantage of people's uncertainty around developments relating to the pandemic and, as well as emails, are rapidly creating malicious websites and apps that appear similar to genuine software.

To counter this, the National Cyber Security Centre is running a 'Cyber Aware' campaign which offers advice to the public on staying safe online. They have also launched a Suspicious Email Reporting Service to make it easy for people to forward suspicious emails to them, including those related to Covid-19.

Stay safe while online at home and report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.

Travel Cancellations

50% of complaints by Scottish consumers logged last week were related to travel and accommodation. A study by consumer body Which? has discovered that 20 of the UK's biggest airlines and holiday companies are failing to meet their legal requirements by either refusing to issue refunds to customers or by offering vouchers or credit notes. Customers are being advised not to accept vouchers as these will not be ATOL-protected and may prove worthless if the company collapses.
Under EU law, travel companies must refund customers within 14 days if their package holiday is cancelled; however, ABTA has warned that forcing companies to pay out billions of pounds in refunds could bankrupt them as they are currently receiving no revenue from bookings.

There remains a great deal of uncertainty around travel and accommodation amendments and refunds - the following official sources of information will reflect the most recent guidance and advice.

Official Advice on Travel/Accommodation

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has published further guidance for industry members and customers on holiday amendments and refunds. Their website also includes advice for customers on travelling.
Advice Direct Scotland are regularly updating the information on their COVID-19 consumer website with advice and guidance for Scottish consumers on travel restrictions, flight and holiday cancellations and information for citizens who are stranded abroad.
The EU Commission has released interpretive guidelines on passenger rights.
The UK Government has official guidance for citizens travelling overseas and foreign travel advice by country.
Following a large number of complaints about Ryanair, the CTSI has advised consumers to contact the UK European Consumer Centre by email for advice about obtaining refunds from the company

Mobility Aids Scams

There were reports from consumers, one of whom is in their 90s, in South Lanarkshire this week about cold callers who claimed to work for Stannah Stairlifts and phoned to arrange an annual service. When the engineer arrived at the elderly consumer's property, he asked her to stay in her living room to adhere to social distancing rules while he supposedly checked her stairlift. Thankfully, the consumer's neighbour had seen the engineer arrive and confronted him, forcing him to leave.

Stannah Stair Lifts have confirmed that their staff always carry identification, wear branded workwear and arrive in a Stannah van. They have published detailed information about their working practices during the lockdown on their website.

What to Do

If you are unsure about the identity of a cold caller who claims to be from a trusted company such as Stannah, call the company using the phone number in your user handbook or on your stairlift (or other product).
Get more information and advice about avoiding mobility aids scams on our website
Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Alerts to stay up to date with what is going on in your community. Keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours and follow our Helping Hands guidelines.

HMRC Scams

With a huge rise in the number and variety of email, text and phone scams claiming to be from HMRC and targeting consumers and businesses, the UK Government have published a list of their current messages so that you can recognise genuine contact. The website also includes advice on recognising fraudulent emails and examples of the most common phishing messages which claim to be from HMRC.

HMRC have stated that they will never text, email or phone to ask for bank details, PIN or passwords.

Some common scams are:

Emails, texts or phone calls offering a tax refund or financial help during the COVID-19 pandemic;
A text (see above) claiming that your movements have been monitored and that you are being fined for leaving your house too frequently during the lockdown;
Tax avoidance schemes targeting returning NHS workers

What to Do
If you receive any of these emails or texts, do not click on any links or open any attachments. If you do, your details could be harvested by scammers.

HMRC scams can be reported to them directly or to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or through their website.

Netflix Scam

Scammers are taking advantage of the huge surge in the numbers using online streaming services due to the Covid-19 lockdown (including a 32% increase in paid subscriptions to Netflix) by sending fake emails claiming to be from Netflix asking users to click a link to update payment details.
The link leads to a fake payment page with Netflix branding, where you will be asked to enter personal and card details.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) are warning that other similar scam emails could be sent using the branding of other streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Disney+ and others.

National Online Safety have a range of useful and accessible guidance for parents, teachers and carers on keeping children safe online, including the safe use of streaming services such as Disney+.

What to Do

If you receive a similar email or text, do not click on any links or open any attachments. If you do, your details could be harvested by scammers.
Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or through their website.

Misleading Adverts for IV Drips

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) have published three rulings involving businesses who offer intravenous (IV) drip treatments and which claimed to prevent or provide treatment for Covid-19. All three businesses were in breach of the advertising rules and the ASA fast-tracked these investigations as part of their focus on tackling businesses and advertisers who are using this pandemic to profit from people's fears and anxieties.

Adverts which have potentially harmful, misleading, or irresponsible information about COVID-19 can be reported to the ASA using their new form. Find out more on their website.

Hand Sanitiser: Official Guidance

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have updated their guidance for businesses on placing hand cleaning and sanitising products on the market and regulations for manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE).
The latest blog post from Vistalworks highlights the potential dangers of homemade hand sanitiser.

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has also investigated an increasing number of bogus medical products being sold through unauthorised websites claiming to treat or prevent COVID-19.
At this time, there are currently no medicines licensed specifically for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. Any products or cures advertised may be fake and potentially dangerous.

The MHRA has also stated that there are currently no CE-marked testing kits available for home use. Once an approved test becomes available, this will be announced by the Government. Any testing kits advertised for sale online could be fake and could provide you with a false positive, risking your own health and that of others.

What to Do

Use the Vistalworks checker to check the legitimacy of products on Ebay before you buy them. It is also available as a Chrome browser plugin, which will trigger a warning on any suspicious Ebay products or sellers.
Find out about buying medical products safely online through the MHRA's 'Fake Meds' campaign
Report suspicious products, such as treatment kits or homemade hand sanitiser, to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000

Volunteer Shopping Cards

Several supermarkets have now introduced 'volunteer shopping cards' to help those self-isolating to avoid fraudsters. Consumers who are unable to visit shops themselves can purchase a card online (similar to a regular voucher) and send the link to a volunteer or print a barcode and leave it in a safe place. The volunteer can then purchase groceries for them without having to exchange a physical payment or card/bank details.

You can currently purchase supermarket volunteer cards or gift cards through the following links:

Helping Hands Guidelines

On our website we have listed five simple 'helping hands' guidelines, both for those in need of help and for those wishing to provide help to ensure that they stay safe.

You will also find advice about helping others in your community on the Scottish Government's Ready Scotland website.

Keep an eye on vulnerable neighbours and sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Alerts to stay up to date with what is going on in your local area.

Pension Scams

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has warned against 'pension panic' due to Covid-19:
"Pension scammers thrive on uncertainty and fear, so be on your guard. Do not respond to unsolicited phone calls, texts or online offers of pension reviews, and never be rushed or pressured into making any decision about your pension."

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have also warned that savers' fears about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on markets and personal finances may make them more vulnerable to scams. They are urging savers not to rush to make any decisions about their pension.

Visit the Pensions Advisory Service website or the Government's Pensionwise web page for free and impartial advice about pensions and visit the FCA's Scam Smart website to find out more about avoiding pension scams.

Unfair Business Practices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an online reporting tool to make it easier for consumers to report a business they believe is behaving unfairly during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. You can report:

Unfair prices for goods or services
Unfair prices for business-to-business sales
Misleading claims made by a business about goods or services
Problems with the cancellation, refund or exchange of products or services
Other unfair behaviour

Financial Impact of Covid-19

A study by the Office for National Statistics has shown that 55.7% of adults surveyed agreed that Covid-19 was going to negatively affect their household finances.
22% of 16-24 year olds surveyed by Ipsos MORI said that they were struggling to afford essential items

Illegal money lenders (loan sharks) may look to take advantage of those who are most vulnerable at this time and who feel that they have nowhere else to turn for help.
If you are in a desperate situation, it may seem tempting to borrow money from a loan shark as a quick fix; however, you could end up paying back much more than you originally borrowed.
There is always another option and please remember that you are not alone. No matter how bad your situation seems, help is out there.
The Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit's 24-hour confidential hotline will remain open 7 days a week throughout the lockdown period. If you are worried about a loan shark or feel that you have nowhere to turn in a financial crisis, call them for advice and support on 0800 074 0878.
Find links to organisations that can help through their webpage.

Police Scotland Survey

Police Scotland are looking for your views and opinions on the priorities of Scotland's diverse communities, particularly during the ongoing #COVID19 pandemic.
Find out more and fill out their short survey here

Official Contacts

If you feel threatened or unsafe, contact Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.
Sign up to the Neighbourhood Watch Alert system to receive localised information and updates.

Get genuine information and updates about the COVID-19 pandemic from official websites:

Scottish Government - Coronavirus in Scotland
NHS Scotland - Coronavirus information and advice
UK Government - Response to Coronavirus
World Health Organisation (WHO) - Technical Guidance

Find a full list of community links and trusted information sources on our website.