Fresh warning over sickening covid vaccine scammers trying to prey on vulnerable people in South Tyneside

Most of South Tyneside’s over 75s and health and social care workers have already had their first dose of a Covid-19 jab.

But for those still waiting, health bosses have reminded the public to be vigilant for any signs criminals may be trying to take advantage of them.

“We’re working through the [Government’s priority] groups in order as we get vaccine to make sure that goes straight into people’s arms,” said Matt Brown, director of operations at South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

“We are contacting people as quickly as we can, but we never ever asked for payment details.

“If you do ever get contacted by organisations that are doing so, that is just absolutely not us.”

Brown was speaking at a meeting of the CCG’s governing body, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

It comes as the Shields Gazette runs its Shot in the Arm campaign, calling on the Government to enlist the UK’s network of local pharmacies to help bring vaccines closer to people’s doorsteps.

As well as getting pharmacies involved in vaccines it also asked the Government to start providing far more easy-to-access information on the vaccine programme – and timetable – to provide families, particularly the elderly and clinically vulnerable, with the reassurance that they’ve not been forgotten.

Anyone in line for a jab should expect to be contacted by their GP practice or by one of the region’s dedicated vaccine call centres.

Anyone who receives a message about their jab but are unsure who has sent it has been advised to contact their GP practice directly.

In one scam which has been highlighted by police, a message is sent containing a link to a fake NHS website which is then used to steal personal information.

Health chiefs issued advice last week as a scheme to vaccinate 1,500 housebound people in South Tyneside, administered by pharmacists making home visits, got underway.

They stressed the vaccine is free, and only available on the NHS, adding anyone asking for payment for the vaccine is committing a crime.

The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine, and will never ask for payment or for your bank details.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up.

If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, and particularly if you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the police online or by calling 101.

As well as fighting scams, health and council chiefs are also tackling false information being spread about the vaccine, and improving communication on the roll-out.

South Tyneside Council has been awarded £565,000 to help combat ‘life-threatening’ false information and encourage take-up of the vaccine, one of the largest of such grants in the country.

The cash came from an overall £23million funding pot from the Goverment, with South Tyneside getting the lion share of the North East's total of £2million.

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