Residents across Bath and North East Somerset are being warned to beware of a coronavirus text message scam.

Bath & North East Somerset Council's Trading Standards Team have received complaints of fraudsters taking advantage of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout by sending convincing text messages to scam people out of financial information.

The text messages claim to be from the NHS and state recipients are eligible to receive the vaccine. Included in the message is a hyper-link to a fake application form which asks for personal information and a credit card number.

Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: "Sadly there are some very unscrupulous people who have no qualms about taking advantage of others even in the most testing of times and the pandemic has provided them with the perfect opportunity to pray on people's fears and vulnerabilities. Please do not fall for these types of scams. The NHS does not charge for the vaccine and will never ask you for your credit cards details. Please be wary of any unsolicited emails, texts or calls."

For more advice contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service by clicking HERE : the citizens advice line site