TELEPHONE SCAM WARNING - COVID-19 TEST & TRACE

Councils around the country are warning us to be on our guard against scammers posing as NHS Contact Tracers (BBC). In the scam a telephone call from the scammer, claiming to be from the NHS Test & Trace Service, informs you that you may have come into contact with somebody who has Coronavirus or Covid-19, and that you need to self-isolate and take a test. Then they ask you to confirm your address so that a testing kit may be sent to you, and then they request Bank Card details "to cover the cost of the testing kit." You now know this is a scam!

"In a genuine call, contact tracers will never:

• ask you to dial a premium rate number (for example, those starting 09 or 087)

• ask you to make any form of payment

• ask for any details about your bank account

• ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts

• ask you for any passwords or Pin codes, or ask you to set up any passwords or Pin codes over the phone

• ask you to purchase a product - including a test

• ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet

• ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS

Source: Ofcom

Anyone receiving a call they suspect is not genuine should report the call to Action Fraud."

Sorry about the previous published blog, I hadn't meant to post then, obviously hit the wrong button, instead of 'save' 😕