Wiltshire Police have teamed up with the government and other UK forces to warn the public of coronavirus scams.

Cyber criminals have been taking advantage of the pandemic with phishing emails, websites and text messages to scam members of the public out of large sums of money and sensitive information.

Police have urged the public to follow three steps.

The first is to stop and take a moment to think before moving forward. You should then challenge the origin of the email, text or website.

And finally you should protect yourself with added security measures where possible and report any suspicious activity.

Wiltshire Police said that reports from the public have included online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser and other items via auction sites, which have never arrived.

There have also been a number of cases where fake testing kits have been offered for sale.

Wiltshire Police Detective Inspector, Gemma Vinton, said “Criminals are using the coronavirus pandemic to their advantage and we have seen examples of them adapting their methods to play upon people’s fear and anxiety.

"So far we have seen limited incidents in the South West but we are warning everyone to be vigilant, not just the vulnerable or elderly.

“Huge increases in the number of people working remotely means they could be more vulnerable to computer service fraud where criminals will try and convince you to provide access to your computer or reveal logon details and passwords.

"People are using the internet for shopping more than usual, and relying on the telephone and social media to stay in touch and obtain information, yet these are common arenas in which fraudsters operate.

“We have seen a surge in phishing scams, and are expecting to see even more e-mails and calls claiming to be from government departments offering grants, tax rebates, or compensation, so we must all be cautious.

"Please also remember that neither your bank nor the police will ever ask you to transfer money to any so-called “safe” account.”

Since the virus took a hold in the UK there have been more than 100 victims of Coronavirus related fraud, with losses of almost £1m recorded.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson, added “This situation is likely to continue, with criminals looking to exploit consequences of the pandemic further down the line, such as offering those with financial concerns false loans or even pension releases.

"They are callous individuals, looking to line their pockets at the expense of others at a particularly difficult time.

“It’s important to be aware of these scams and take the suggested precautions. As people become more isolated from communities and support networks they are increasingly vulnerable to become targets, and ultimately victims, of cyber scammers.

"We also ask you to please look out for vulnerable people you know who could be a target and talk to them of the possible dangers.”