Blog Layout

Test and Trace scam alert issued by councils

June 25, 2020
The Local Government Association says councils have received reports of fraudsters attempting to exploit the system through bogus phone calls, emails and text messages which ask for bank card details to cover the cost of the testing kit. The genuine NHS service is free.

People are being urged to be on their guard against criminals trying to con people out of money by pretending to be from the NHS Test and Trace Service, in a new coronavirus-related scam.

The Local Government Association says councils have received reports of fraudsters attempting to exploit the system through bogus phone calls, emails and text messages which ask for bank card details to cover the cost of the testing kit. The genuine NHS service is free.

The warning comes during Scams Awareness Fortnight, and amid new research which shows that more than one in three people in the UK have been targeted in scams since lockdown began.

The Test and Trace Service aims to reduce the spread of coronavirus by quickly testing people with symptoms and either phoning, texting or emailing whoever they have had close contact with to tell them to self-isolate for 14 days.

In the scam, a message or phone call claiming to be from the NHS Test and Trace Service is sent or made to householders informing them that they have been in contact with somebody who has tested positive for coronavirus and that they need to self-isolate and take a test.

The scammers refuse to disclose who the householder has been in contact with but ask them to confirm their address so a testing kit can be sent to them. Bank card details are then requested – purportedly to cover the cost of the testing kit.

The LGA is urging people to be vigilant to protect themselves from the scam.  Residents are being reminded that the genuine NHS Test and Trace Service will never:
  • Ask for bank account details, passwords or PIN numbers
  • Ask for a payment or to buy a product
  • Ask you to download any software
  • Ask you to call a premium rate number to speak to the NHS (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
  • Disclose any of your personal or medical information to your contacts.
  • Anyone asked these types of questions should report the incident to Action Fraud.
To read this article from The Local Government Association in full visit their website.

Share this news story...

Picture of ISO Stamp
By Charlotte Park January 14, 2025
We are excited to announce that we have recently had the ISO 9001:2015 audit and can confidently say we passed with flying colours!
Fake Nurse
November 26, 2024
When Sarah Whitaker approached an introductory care agency to find a carer for her 89 year old father she expected they would refer a suitably qualified and professional carer. Instead, Sarah was 'horrified' to discover that an unqualified imposter had been in her fathers home for almost three weeks! Unfortunately Sarah's story, reported by Sky News , is not as uncommon as one might expect. In January 2024, a man admitted impersonating a nurse and accessing resuscitation and children's areas at a hospital in Glasgow (BBC News) . SAFE has experience of dealing with a number of similar cases where an unqualified imposter had been found to be working in place of the qualified professional that was expected.
International Fraud Awareness Week 2024 - Official Supporters Badge
October 16, 2024
International Fraud Awareness Week (IFAW) 2024 takes place from 17-23 November, and SAFE continues to support this global effort to minimise the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education. Fraud and cybercrime account for over 40% of all crime in England and Wales, affecting more people, more often, than any other crime. The social and economic cost to individuals is estimated to be in excess of £4.7 billion a year. So don’t wait until #fraudweek to become a fraud fighter!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. To learn more, go to the Privacy Page.
×
Share by: