Advice on Coronavirus (Covid-19) scams

Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about COVID-19 to prey on members of the public, particularly older and vulnerable people who are isolated from family and friends.

There have been many reports nationally of scams connected to the coronavirus and many different organisations are offering advice on how to spot potential scammers and what to do.

We’ve compiled some guidance and advice on coronavirus related scams which you can view on this page.

Combatting Fake News

Specialist units across government are working at pace to combat false and misleading narratives about coronavirus, ensuring the public has the right information to protect themselves and save lives.

To help the public spot false information the government is running the SHARE checklist and Don’t Feed The Beast campaign here. This gives the public five easy steps to follow to identify whether information may be misleading:

• Source - make sure information comes from a trusted source
• Headline - always read beyond the headline
• Analyse - check the facts
• Retouched - does the image or video look as though it has been doctored?
• Error - look out for bad grammar and spelling

Do you need help or support?

If you need help or have a particular need please ring and talk to one of our friendly team who will take some details and pass them onto the relevant service. Call 01274 431000.

We can help by:

• picking up shopping
• delivering a hot meal or food parcel to eligible people
• ringing for a friendly chat
• problem solving

See our website for more information about local support and volunteering to help others.

Stay safe while out for exercise

Please follow the Government’s advice when leaving your home for exercise. It is fine to walk on paths and bridleways during exercise outside, as long as people observe the 2m rule for staying a safe distance apart. For more information, visit our public green space and rights of way guidance page.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online. Use the NHS 111 online service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 online coronavirus service at 111.nhs.uk/covid-19/

Helpful links

Government advice: what you need to do

NHS coronavirus advice and information

Bradford district coronavirus advice and information

Support for businesses