Sheffield GP practice issues urgent warning over new Covid-19 vaccine email scam

A medical practice in Sheffield has warned their patients not to fall victim to the latest email scam purportedly from the NHS offering them Covid-19 vaccinations.
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Sothall Medical Centre in Beighton, said they have been made aware of such a scam by their patients who have received the so-called invitations on their mailbox.

The email then directs them to a phishing website that says they have been selected to receive the coronavirus vaccination and they are required to reply within 12 hours of the notification.

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If the answer is yes, then it will ask the user to "complete your application" by providing their debit or credit card details where "it will be used to charge or rebate any charges linked to vaccination programs."

The practice, in a statement posted on their Facebook page said: "A few of our patients have made us aware of an email circulating asking patients to respond in 12hrs to book a covid vaccination appointment.

"Please note these are a scam. The vaccines are free of charge and the NHS will never ask for your bank details. Thanks to the patient allowing us to share these images."

The NHS has previously warned the public of a similar scam in a form of a text message where the criminals are using the vaccine as a way to get the public hand over cash or financial details.

A nurse prepares to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Photo by Andy Stenning / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ANDY STENNING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)A nurse prepares to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Photo by Andy Stenning / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ANDY STENNING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A nurse prepares to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (Photo by Andy Stenning / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ANDY STENNING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Apart from a text message, criminals also use a phone call to let people know they are eligible for the vaccine or pretending to be from the NHS or the local pharmacy.

The NHS has reminded the people that they will never ask for payment, bank details, arrive unannounced at home to administer the vaccine or prove their identity by sending their personal documents.

A patient said she almost fell victim to the scam until she realised that it did not come from the NHS when it asked for a payment.

She wrote: “I received this too, entered most of my details until I saw they also wanted my bank details so I realised it was a scam. Now I'm worried about the info I did give.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.