New Isle of Wight scam warnings have been issued by Trading Standards this week.
Covid scams
Those filthy scammers are still trying to use Covid to their advantage to trick people into parting with money.
A couple of texts have been reported, one stating your Covid Pass is available and to click a link to apply. You can obtain your actual Pass through the NHS App or by calling 119.
A second coronavirus scam states you have been in contact with someone who has Covid and need to buy a test by following a link, allegedly to the NHS.
There is no longer a test and trace process — nobody would know if you had the virus or had been in contact with somebody who did. These scams can be forwarded to 7726 where the information will be gathered as intelligence into future scam prevention.
Fraudulent Insurance calls
Another reminder about calls from domestic insurance providers, which are becoming prolific and persistent.
Do not engage with them and don’t agree to take any insurance. These generally aren’t worth the paper they’re written on and once you have signed up they will keep ringing.
These cover items such as white goods, TVs, Sky and drainage, with all operating in the same way. One victim had more than 40 direct debits on his account due to these insurances.
Mobile home purchase scam
There have been reports of a couple of men heading door-to-door this week asking to buy motor homes.
The men aren’t islanders and travel around in a white pick-up truck.
Their approach is to try to negotiate a silly price or pay a deposit and drive the motor home away, ensuring the seller never sees the vehicle or money again.