How you can stay safe after Sunderland residents targeted in coronavirus scams

Citizens Advice managers in Sunderland and Durham say residents have been targeted with fake text messages, emails and web links masquerading as official government advice.

The scammers are ultimately seeking the bank details of recipients – many who have suffered benefit or job worries since the pandemic – so that they can loot cash.

Among the other current scams are:

Fake emails offering funding to families who normally rely on free school meals; Fake supermarket vouchers claiming customers have money-off; Organisations selling fake medical products online; Fraudsters posing as official workers requesting money to take away bulky items, which are later being fly tipped.

With research showing that more than half the population aged 65-plus have been targeted by scammers, Susan White, the advice services manager at Citizens Advice Sunderland, has offered her top tips to avoid falling for their cons:

Speak to family or friends if you are unsure; Be suspicious and share your suspicions to avoid others being targeted as well; Don't click on links in emails or text messages unless you are sure that they are legitimate; Never share your passwords or PINs with anyone; If you are contacted and being offered a new financial entitlement like benefits then check with Citizens Advice first to see if it is genuine and if you are eligible.

Lewis Kirkbride, research and campaigns Officer for Citizens Advice County Durham, added: “At a time when people are worrying about their income, and hoping the Government will provide a financial safety net, an official-looking message offering financial help can be very tempting and convincing, especially when real news from the Government is coming thick and fast.

“Don’t feel under pressure to accept help, and don’t rush into anything.

“Nobody genuine will put you under pressure. If what they offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk for further information or contact your local offices such as the Citizens Advice Sunderland Adviceline at 0300 330 1194 (Mondays-Fridays, 9am-4pm) or the Citizens Advice County Durham Adviceline on 0300 330 9027 (Mondays-Fridays, 10am-4pm).

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.