FRAUDSTERS selling coronavirus test kits have prompted a warning from Slough Borough Council urging residents to be wary.

Slough locals are asked to be aware of conmen taking advantage of the current health emergency to make a quick buck where people across the country have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

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The most common scam, according to the Trading Standards, is selling fake coronavirus testing kits and cures by going door to door which may contain unknown substances in them.

Other scams include price hiking hard to get items such as hand sanitiser.

According to reports made to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, over £800,000 has been lost to coronavirus scams since February across the UK with 21 reports of coronavirus fraud identified.

The UK’s Fraud Prevention Service has published the following advice to help people avoid and stay ahead of fraudsters:

  • If you receive an email, text, Whatsapp or other social media message about coronavirus, be sceptical and never click on any attachments or links.
  • Don’t be pressured into donating money and never donate via gift card, cash or sending money through transfer agents.
  • Never provide your personal information such as your name, address and date of birth. Scammers can steal your identity by using this information.
  • Speak to your bank immediately and report any fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 if you think you’ve been victim of a scam.
  • Further information on dealing with scams and fraud can be found by calling the Consumer Service telephone number 0808 223 1133 or contact Citizens Advice.

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If you get an unsolicited home visit from anyone offering a test kit, shut the door and report the matter to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.