Context
The number of online scams related to the coronavirus has increased, with concerns about fraudulent opportunists exploiting vaccine rumours. Recent incidents involve fake vaccines being offered on doorsteps.
Question
What steps her Department is taking to protect people from fraud during the covid-19 outbreak? The recent months have seen an increasing number of scams related to the coronavirus vaccine. As rumours swirl in the press about a delay to the vaccine in the UK, it is even more important that the Government take urgent action to stop fraudulent opportunists from exploiting the vulnerable. With one scam charging for a fake vaccine on the doorstep, will the Minister detail what steps the Government can take, in addition to what he has already mentioned, to tackle this dangerous fraud?
Answer from Kit Malthouse
The Home Office has been working with policing, public and private sector partners to track and mitigate the risk of fraud during the pandemic. The National Cyber Security Centre has taken down tens of thousands of online scams and gov.uk is giving the public advice on spotting scams. For people to be duped by others offering fake vaccines is a disgraceful type of crime. We are working closely with health and law enforcement partners to catch up with these villains as quickly as possible. The number of vaccine-related frauds reported remains low but we continue to monitor the situation carefully.
Not addressed: Did not provide specific additional steps beyond general partnership work and advice provision, despite being asked for more concrete actions
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