Sick scammers target Northamptonshire parents with fake school meals email

Parents whose kids get free school meals are being a targeted by sick scammers cashing in on the coronavirus crisis.

Schools across Northamptonshire closed to most children on Monday as the Government ramped up its bid to slow the spread of the deadly Covid-19 bug.

But mums and dads quickly started receiving fake emails asking for bank details so they could carry on claiming free school meals.

And Department of Education officials quickly issued a warning not to click any links on the message and bin it immediately.

A DoE spokesman said: "We have been informed some parents have received an email stating ‘as schools will be closing, if you're entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we'll make sure you're supported’.

"This is a scam email. Do not respond and delete it immediately."

The DoE is directing parents to the Government's own gov.uk website for official guidance on claiming free school meals during the pandemmic.

Northamptonshire Police have reported a 400 per cent spike in online fraud related to coronavirus during March.