Since the beginning of the month, scam complaints have risen by 40 per cent with Buckinghamshire Council warning that doorstep scammers are taking advantage of the Coronavirus emergency to con elderly and vulnerable people.

According to Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards team, there have been 'widespread' reports of scammers attempting to obtain people's bank details in order to cover payments for school lunches whilst the schools are closed as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

There was even a man who tried to demand £220 in cash to complete a health and safety check from an 80-year-old woman at her doorstep.

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The council have been urged people to be cautious of the following

  • Virus testing kits – these are only offered by the NHS.
  • Vaccines or miracle cures – there is currently no vaccine or cure.
  • Shopping or medication collection services that require payment upfront.
  • Home cleaning services.
  • Overpriced or counterfeit products.

Gareth Williams, cabinet membver for communities and public health, said: “I am absolutely appalled that anyone would use a time of national emergency to target vulnerable and older people. This is as low as you can get.

I’m heartened by the fantastic number of people locally who want to help others, and I’d encourage anyone looking out for their elderly and vulnerable neighbours to keep an eye and ear out for these types of scammers.”