JULIE ELLIOTT: Beware of scammers asking for payment for a vaccination

It is important to keep in our thoughts the thousands and thousands of families who have lost loved ones, and to remember the important work being done by our healthcare workers who are taking care of those that are suffering, and doing so much to save lives.

Here in Sunderland, our local healthcare workers have done an incredible job taking care of us, and it is important we do all we can to stop the spread of the virus so that we can ensure we do not overwhelm our local services.

We must also be wary of new problems that are emerging in relation to the coronavirus – and one of those is a digital one.

As you may have seen from my social media, I have been made aware of different phishing scams that are ongoing, in relation to the vaccine distribution.

Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial details, and millions of pounds is lost each year in Britain to this sort of criminal activity.

I have seen, and had reported to me, numerous attempts by email, or by phone, of people purporting to be from the NHS offering for you to book your coronavirus vaccination for a fee.

Please remember that you will never be asked for your card details, or for payment, in order to receive your vaccine.

It will be provided for free on the NHS, and there is no need for any sensitive financial details to be passed over.

If you are unsure about whether the email you have received is genuine, please check with your local practice before proceeding, and if you receive an email that purports to be from the NHS but seems dodgy, or not genuine, please forward it to [email protected] .

All of the vaccines available are safe and offers good protection against the coronavirus.

Our local NHS services in Sunderland are doing an excellent job vaccinating our priority groups, and we must do everything we can to support them.

As always, it is important to take care of ourselves, and each other, and take as many steps as possible to stop the spread of the virus.