Fake Covid passports are being sold via a new text messaging scam claiming to be from the NHS.

The fake message is reportedly being sent to mobile phones and trying to direct victims to a dodgy website designed to fleece their personal data.

A new text message scam targeting unsuspecting victims sees fraudsters pose as the NHS asking for payment in order to create a Covid pass, experts have warned.

Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes has published details of the scam and urged the public to be wary of text messages containing links and asking for payment details.

Now, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has been sent evidence of the text con based around the NHS Covid passes.

It claims to be an official message from the NHS and reads: "NHS: We've noticed you haven't applied for your Covid pass, please follow the link to complete registration to avoid fees."

The message then links to a website made to look like a real NHS platform that asks the recipient to give personal details, supposedly for a registration application, but which could be used to carry out identity fraud.

Salisbury Journal: The fraudulent website has been designed to look identical to an official NHS page (Malwarebytes)The fraudulent website has been designed to look identical to an official NHS page (Malwarebytes)

‘Trading Standards issue urgent warning’

Katherine Hart, CTSI lead officer, said: "The public should apply for an NHS Covid Pass or vaccination certificates on the official platforms, which are different, depending on if they are resident in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

"Whenever we receive these messages, we should not only avoid these scams, but also report them to Action Fraud, or if in Scotland, contact Police Scotland.

"By reporting scams, authorities can build a fuller picture of this dangerous fraud blighting communities throughout the United Kingdom."

This text scam is similar to an email-based fraud unearthed in July, which begged members of the public to get their health passports before going on holiday.

That scam also directed victims to a phoney website that took personal details which could be used to commit fraud.

‘Trading Standards appalled by latest Covid scam’

John Herriman, CTSI chief executive, said he has personally received many similar messages since the first lockdown last March.

He added: "Since the first Covid lockdown in March 2020, CTSI has witnessed countless scams themed around the pandemic.

"I have received many fake Covid messages myself, and I don't think a single person hasn't received one. It appals me just how relentless the fraudsters are and how unscrupulous they are to target the public at a time of unprecedented vulnerability.

"We need a national conversation about public protection, and on how enforcement agencies including trading standards can adapt their methods to meet the challenge of a fast-evolving threat from fraudsters in our increasingly digitalised economy."

For consumer advice call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

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