Fake Coronavirus Testing

Please see information below from Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards regarding Fake Coronavirus Testing. This information has been to sent to all Surrey County Councillors.

Background 

As the Coronavirus has continued to spread several different scams have arisen. In the last few days fake coronavirus test kits have been offered for sale via the internet.  We have also received intelligence that unscrupulous individuals are door knocking offering to sell fake coronavirus testing kits.

Trading Standards Response

Trading Standards are providing advice and messages via all of our social media platforms, on our website, by email and by direct phone calls to those residents identified as the most vulnerable to scams. Letters will also be sent to this group in the next few days.

The Surrey County Council “Coronavirus – Information and Advice” webpages include information from Trading Standards to encourage people to be aware of scams and a link to further information on the Trading Standards web pages under “staying connected”. Links below.

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/coronavirus

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/emergency-planning-and-community-safety/coronavirus/community-support/stay-connected

In addition to putting out general messages about the range of scams which might be associated with coronavirus, where Trading Standards receive information that a door to door scam is happening in a specific area we have plans in place to immediately telephone any known vulnerable people living in the vicinity to warn them of the potential scam.

We are working in partnership with Surrey Police to disrupt and prevent door to door selling, and we will continue to investigate crimes of fraud, especially where they relate to coronavirus and the heightened fears associated with it.

In partnership with Surrey Fire and Rescue we are compiling a list of approved and trusted volunteers who will be able to assist with prevention and safeguarding for our most vulnerable and isolated residents. This list will be published in the coming days on our website. For those residents who do not have access to the internet, nor use social media we will be contacting them by phone or post to share details of trusted and approved volunteers.

Who to Contact?

Concerned residents and councillors with information about these incidents are being asked to contact Trading Standards directly. Email is preferable via trading.standards@surreycc.gov.uk or by phone on 01296 388788.