Warwickshire Police are warning everyone to apply heightened vigilance in then light of criminals who are using the coronavirus emergency to scam and trick people. There is growing evidence that criminals are prepared to trick their way into people’s homes or access things like banking information using trick emails.

In the past couple of weeks people from different parts of the UK have seen the following:

• ‘Phishing’ emails from hackers claiming to provide a list of Covid-19 infected people in their area – but with a link that leads to a malicious website. - NEVER CLICK ON A LINK WITHIN AN EMAIL OR TRUST AN EMAIL WITHOUT PROPERLY CHECKING THE SENDERS ADDRESS

• Online sellers purporting to be offering face masks or hand sanitiser for sale – but pocketing money and never sending out goods.

• Heartless con artists knocking on the doors of elderly residents offering to run shopping trips – but taking the cash or bank cards and never returning.

• Thieves posing as police officers or health visitors making Covid-19 checks at homes in a bid to gain access and steal cash and valuables. - IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING A CALLER DO NOT LET IN PEOPLE TO YOUR HOME

• Never let unsolicited callers into your home or hand over bank cards or cash

• If someone claims to be from the police, NHS or other organisation ask to see their identification. If in doubt call the organisation they claim to represent to make checks; if they are genuine they won’t mind waiting while you verify who they are. DON’T CALL A TELEPHONE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU – USE THE NORMAL TELEPHONE NUMBER.

• Don’t click on links or attachments in suspicious emails

• Do not respond to unsolicited messages asking for personal or financial information.

• If you are looking at making purchases on sites you don’t know or trust then research the company beforehand.

• Keep in contact with your loved ones, especially if elderly

To report suspicious activity to us message on Live Chat via our website or go to the Action Fraud website: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 many investors large and small have seen a fall in the value of their investments caused by a hugely volatile stock market.

Fraudsters are seeking to take advantage of this situation by cold calling or emailing consumers offering people the opportunity to invest in schemes or products that appear to offer high returns in a difficult financial climate, sometimes by claiming that the investments are ‘healthcare’ related. In reality, fraudsters offer ‘too good to be true’ investments that are either worthless or don’t even exist.

Advice for investors

• Beware of any unexpected approach offering you shares or investments. Remember, fraudsters may falsely claim to represent genuine businesses. Some fraudsters have even gone as far as cloning the websites of real investment companies. Others use glossy brochures to make them appear genuine and professional.

• If an investment opportunity seems ‘too good to be true’ it usually is!

• Never provide personal or financial information to a cold caller or buy goods or services.

• Be a ‘ScamSmart’ investor, follow the advice produced by the Financial Services Authority and check their warning list: https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart

Please help us spread these messages by forwarding them on as you see fit or posting it online on social media etc.