SCAMMERS have started targeting the vulnerable in Trafford during the coronavirus lockdown, including conning their way into people’s homes.

Council bosses have launched a scam alert scheme, which residents can sign up to so they are updated on the common scams being operating across the borough.

Criminals are said to be going door-to-door, offering Covid-19 tests or offering to clean people’s homes to remove any traces of the virus.

They are using the internet to target vulnerable people searching for information online.

Scam e-mails and texts have also begun circulating. One, said to be from the Government, offers ‘Covid-19 relief’ and asks people to input their postcode and bank account numbers.

Another scam text tells people they are being given a fine because ‘they have been out of the house more than once’.

The message claims to have been sent by GOV.UK and says the original fine could increase to £5,000 and/or arrest and payment will be taken automatically.

But Trafford Council is encouraging residents to report anything they find to be suspicious to the authorities and is warning residents must not be taken in by these fraudsters.

Cllr Mike Freeman, the council’s public safety executive member, said: “We have seen a rise in scams by callous con merchants targeting the vulnerable with bogus claims concerning the coronavirus.

“We want to ensure people are protected and a great way of doing this in to sign up for the free iCAN service. Once people know about scams, we would then ask them to be shared with friends and relatives so as many people as possible know about them as possible.”

For more details, those concerned can go online to www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. Or e-mail trading.standards@trafford.gov.uk or call Julia Bentley on 0161 912 3841.