Bogus coronavirus business grants hit inboxes

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The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is warning retailers to be on the lookout for bogus emails from fraudsters offering fake business grants.

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The emails, which use UK government branding, are the latest in a series of scam messages.

One email informs the recipient that they have been awarded a Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant valued at £25,000. The message then asks the recipient to click a link and then enter their personal and payment details. The data is sent to scammers, who then deduct money from the account.

Trading Standards is concerned that businesses in the leisure and hospitality sector may be more likely to fall for the fake grant, given the devastating effects the coronavirus has had on the sector.

CTSI lead officer, Katherine Hart, said: “I want to warn businesses that they should be eagle-eyed when receiving emails offering help, and never click the links in them. I understand that this seems like good news, especially for businesses deeply affected by lockdown, but always remember that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Just don’t risk it.”