PEOPLE should be wary of vaccine emails and text messages, according to a health campaigner who received a hoax email.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, the Plaid Cymru candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd in this year’s Senedd elections, said the email claimed to be from the NHS.

Warning others to watch out for similar messages, he said: “There are a lot of very vulnerable people waiting for the vaccinations right now. Sadly there are also unscrupulous people out there seeking to manipulate their anxieties and get people to click on links which could spread digital viruses or ask for personal details.

“I urge people to be wary of digital communications claiming to be from authorities. People should never give bank details to someone claiming to be involved with the vaccination, or click on links in emails or texts, unless they are certain that it is safe.

“In my case, while the email looked formal, it was clear that it was a hoax because by hovering my cursor over the sent email address I could see that it was not from any official email account.”

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, or pay for the vaccine, this is a scam.

“The NHS will contact you when it is your turn, you will not be asked for bank details and the vaccine will not be administered at your home.”