Cumbria Trading Standards is making people aware of a scam text message alert that is circulating.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has uncovered evidence of a series of bogus texts inviting recipients to perform jury service or delay it at a cost.

The texts host a link to a scam website clad in UK Government branding which asks the target to confirm they can perform the service, or to postpone jury service for six months at a fee of £34.99.

An official jury summons will never ask you to pay a fee for postponing service.

A real summons will ask you to confirm whether or not you can go and to explain your reasons for being unavailable.

Any message mentioning exchanging money is a red flag and should be ignored.

The texts are yet another scam hitting the public at a time of increased vulnerability due to the Covid-19 pandemic.