Conmen have been touting fake home Covid-19 tests at doors in South Ayrshire.

The council warned residents have also been offered hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment.

Posing as charity volunteers, scammers have been asking to help with shopping or claiming they are collecting for a good cause.

South Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards and Environmental health team received reports of people being offered coronavirus tests by rogue door to door sellers.  A council spokeswoman said: “Like all other residents in the UK, South Ayrshire Council residents are being targeted by scammers who are offering coronavirus (Covid-19) testing kits, PPE, hand sanitiser etc.”

She added: “We would like to remind residents that there are no commercially available tests for coronavirus (COVID-19), and all testing is being carried out by healthcare professionals.”

Lockdown has meant door-to-door scams have reduced overall according to the council as fewer people are out. But fraudsters are now exploiting the pandemic situation.  The council did not confirm where exactly the scams have taken place in the area when asked the question by the Ayrshire Local Democracy Reporting Service.  Incidents can be reported to South Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards Team by calling 0300 123 0900.

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