Warning to businesses of Covid air-purification Scam

Published Friday, 23rd April 2021

Businesses across Hartlepool are being urged to be vigilant following the identification of a scam which attempts to force the recipient to purchase unnecessary air-purification devices.

The warning comes from Hartlepool Borough Council’s Trading Standards Team after receiving information showing that targeted businesses are receiving fraudulent letters; however similar correspondence via email or text is a possibility.

Letters identified so far falsely claim to be from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Covid Safe Task Force and include a residential address based in London. It alleges that the law is changing and from the 3rd May 2021 businesses are required to have covid-safe air purifiers in operation. This is completely false.

The letter warns the recipient that failure to comply with the legislation could result in a fine of up to £5,000 and includes an order form to enable the business to purchase the “8-stage air purification system” at a discounted rate.

Hartlepool Borough Council's Trading Standards Team urge recipients of correspondence such as this requesting payments or personal information to contact their local authorities for clarification and recommend that trade associations warn their members of this fraud.

Businesses seeking guidance regarding Covid-19 can visit www.gov.uk or contact Hartlepool Borough Council.

Any business that receives a scam contact can report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 1232040.