Businesses are warned to remain vigilant in the light of COVID-19 related scams.
The news follows reports of a business receiving a bogus email from the government about a business grant application. The phishing scam, although convincing, is designed to acquire the details of eligible grant recipients while the fraudsters attempt to use their details to legitimise a scam email in another area. Businesses and especially vulnerable residents are urged to be on their guard at this worrying time.
Councillor Kate Lymer, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement and SCAMbassador said “In this case, businesses are being targeted, so they need to be on the look-out. Unfortunately, these types of scams are common and everyone should be wary – particularly at the moment. The outbreak of Covid-19 means that some unscrupulous people will take advantage of the situation and we all need to be mindful of that and protect ourselves.”
The advice is to always be cautious as scams attempt to trick people out of their money or get them to pass over private information. Vulnerable and elderly residents in particular, are advised to be especially cautious of uninvited phone calls, emails or any form of uninvited contact, and discuss with family or friends first.
Businesses can report similar information being used for attempted fraud by emailing www.actionfraud.police.uk. Residents affected by rogue traders or scams, can get advice, support or assistance by calling the council’s trading standards rapid response team on 07903 852090.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Executive, on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk