Devon and Cornwall Police issue warning about Covid vaccine text invites scam
Remember - the NHS will never ask for payment for your jab
Devon and Cornwall Police have issued a fraud warning over text invites for the coronavirus vaccine.
From today, the NHS will be inviting some people to book appointments through messages.
But our force says the health service will never ask for payment or bank details to get the jab.
Action Fraud has also issued a warning about possible scams.
"Today the NHS will start texting people asking them to book their COVID-19 jab online.
"Remember, the NHS will never ask you for payment or banking details in order to receive the vaccine."
Devon and Cornwall Police
About the text invites for Covid vaccines
Almost 400,000 people aged 55 and over and 40,000 unpaid carers will be the first to get a text alert inviting them to book a slot as part of the latest development in the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in NHS history.
The messages will include a web link for those eligible to click and reserve an appointment at one of more than 300 large-scale vaccination centres or pharmacies across England.
Reminders will be sent 2-3 weeks after the original alert to encourage people to get their vaccine if they have not taken up the offer.
Texts will arrive in advance of the standard letter, meaning if the trial is successful the solution could enable the NHS to react faster to changing vaccine supplies and fill appointments quickly.
“Thanks to careful planning and the huge efforts of NHS staff we have vaccinated more than 18 million people in England, which is a remarkable achievement.
“The NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in health service history, continues to go from strength to strength and we are now building on that momentum by trialling a quick and easy service that will hopefully make it more convenient for people to book their life saving jab.
“I had my vaccine this week – it was simple, quick and painless – and I would encourage others who have not yet taken up the offer to come forward and receive the jab.”
NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis, NHS medical director
Some GP-led and hospital vaccination services, which operate their own booking systems, are already using texts for invites.
About possible scams
In some cases text messages have been used by scammers to try to collect personal details from people, get them to ring premium rate numbers or enter their banking details.
The text message will be sent using the Government’s secure Notify service and will show as being sent from ‘NHSvaccine’.
The NHS will never ask for payment or banking details.
“We know that some people are rightly worried about scams going around, but if the message comes from ‘NHSvaccine’ and links to the NHS.uk website you can be sure that it’s the right invite.
“For any messages you might get about the vaccine, always remember that the NHS will never ask you for your bank account or card details, your PIN or banking password.
“The NHS will also never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine, or ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.”
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care
Vaccinations are now being administered at more than 1,600 sites across the country, including mosques, museums and rugby grounds, with the distribution of centres meaning 98% of the country lives within 10 miles of at least one vaccination service.