DORSET Police is urging people booking their Covid-19 vaccination appointment to be wary of possible fraud.

The call comes amid the NHS trialling its new mobile phone text service - making it easier and more convenient for people to book their life-saving vaccine.

Police and the UK's National Fraud Intelligence Bureau have raised awareness the NHS's new text service trial provide scammers an opportunity to collect personal details from people, get them to ring premium rate numbers or enter banking details.

A online police statement said: "Remember, the NHS will never ask you for payment or banking details in order to receive the vaccine."

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care, said: "Some people are worried about scams going around, but if the message comes from ‘NHSvaccine’ and links to the NHS.uk website you can be sure that it’s the right invite."

The text message will be sent using the Government’s secure Notify service and will show as being sent from ‘NHSvaccine’.