The free school meals scam tricking parents affected by coronavirus school closures

Scammers are targeting parents of children eligible for free school meals, the Department for Education has warned.
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Parents are being sent an email asking them to send their bank details in order for their child to receive free meals during the coronavirus pandemic.

The email says: “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.”

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It comes as millions of children all over the UK stay at home following school closures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.

A schoolboy heads home as schools are closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)A schoolboy heads home as schools are closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
A schoolboy heads home as schools are closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Many parents are facing financial difficulty as a result, as their children are no longer getting their free school meal every day and instead need to be fed at home.

A spokesperson for the DfE said: “This is a scam email - do not respond, and delete immediately.”