Staffordshire Police have warned residents after a Covid scam aiming to trick people into handing over their bank details was reported to Action Fraud 1,166 times in just 24 hours.

Police issued the warning on Tuesday after reports were received of fake emails claiming to be from the NHS and offering the Coronavirus vaccine.

However, the real purpose of the email was to con its recipients into entering their personal information.

Police have asked residents to stay informed to ensure they don't fall for these types of scams.

A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "A scam Covid email attempting to trick people into handing over bank details has been reported more than 1,000 times in the past 24 hours.

"It appears to come from the NHS and asks the recipient to click on a link to accept or decline an invitation to receive the coronavirus vaccine. If they click accept, they are asked to input personal information and their bank card details.

"Remember, the NHS will not ask you for payment in order to receive the vaccine. Please share this warning."

Head of Action Fraud, Pauline Smith, is warning the public to remain vigilant as fraudsters continue to act.

She said: "It's despicable that fraudsters will take advantage of such an important tool in the fight against this evil and deadly disease. Not only are the people being targeted with this email at risk of losing money, or having their identity stolen, but they are also at risk of not receiving the real vaccine.

"The public have been fantastic at reporting these scams to us and raising awareness in their local community as well. But unfortunately, as this latest phishing campaign shows, we still have to remain cautious and alert. Remember: anything purporting to be from the NHS asking you to pay for the vaccine, or provide your bank account or card details, is a scam."

In the UK, coronavirus vaccines will only be available via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy local to you, to receive your vaccine. The vaccine is free of charge, and at no point will you be asked to pay.

The NHS will never:

- Ask you for your bank account or card details.

- Ask you for your PIN or banking password.

- Arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.

- Ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving licence, bills or pay slips.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up, and if you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to [email protected]. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726 which is free of charge.

If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, you can report this to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.