Bexley have issued a warning to residents after receiving information that people are being extorted in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

With a growing number of cases reaching 43 (at the time of publishing) Bexley has fallen victim to several scams in the area.

Bexley Trading Standards say scammers are using the situation to extort money or gain access into people’s homes.

Scams include:

• Door-to-door fraudsters impersonating NHS staff and offering help with shopping in return for payment, or seeking donations to fund a vaccine.

• Individuals offering to go shopping for the elderly as a means of obtaining their money.

• Criminals calling at homes and selling people fake tests to see if they're infected with the disease.

Fraudsters are also sending out Coronavirus-themed phishing emails in an attempt to trick people into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive personal and financial details.

Bexley have urged residents to not to click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and to never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details.

The Council has teamed up with the Bexley Voluntary Service Council to reach out to residents in need.

Bexley urge residents who are in need of help to register at https://bvsc.co.uk/covid-19.