How scammers are cashing in on the coronavirus pandemic

Texts pretending to be from the government, emails asking you to renew your Netflix subscription and criminals selling fake masks door to door – there are few levels scammers won’t stoop to for personal gain, reports Ben Chapman

Online phishing from official-looking sources is common (PA)

Fraudsters are increasingly using the coronavirus pandemic to cash in, and unfortunately there are few safeguards to protect people from being scammed other than their own vigilance.

Most scams remain relatively simple, but have been adapted slightly to link them to coronavirus in the hope of playing upon people’s vulnerability during the crisis.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has found people selling fake protective masks both door to door and online.