On 28 May the Government introduced the NHS Test and Trace service to trace the spread of the virus, and isolate new infections with the aim of helping return life back to normal. Unfortunately, this new service has also created opportunities for scammers, so we wanted to make you aware of this.

Here are some tips from Trading Standards (shared on Mix 96 website), to protect yourselves from scams:

Trading Standards have said there are reports of ‘phishing’ texts and emails, which are using the new system to scam people. Scammers have already been using COVID-19 in their scams, including fake texts purporting to be from the government promising a ‘relief’ payout or advertising face masks/hand sanitiser that never arrive.

And there now appears to be ‘phishing’ texts and emails suggesting, for example, that someone testing positive to COVID-19 has come into contact with you and recommending a click-link for more help or asking for payment for a testing kit. Although alerts from the NHS Test and Trace service could come by text, email or phone call, there is clear Government guidance as to how it works, and there is no need to give financial information as it is a free service.

Top Tips

As lockdown scams continue, Trading Standards advice to residents is:

– Be sceptical, don’t be afraid to delete the email/text or put the phone down.

– Take your time, don’t be rushed.

– Know who you’re dealing with: if you need help, talk to someone you know or get in touch with Trading Standards advice line on 0300 123 2329

– Protect your financial information, especially from people you don’t know, and never just hand over your financial details

– Never engage with someone or allow them access to your personal details unless you are able to verify their authenticity and who they are.

Government Test and Trace guidance

For an outline on the Test and Trace service, visit the Government website but please find the key points below:

Contact tracers will:

– Call you from 0300 013 5000

– Send you text messages from ‘NHS’

– Ask you to sign into the NHS test and trace contact-tracing website

– Ask for your full name and date of birth to confirm your identity, and postcode to offer support while self-isolating

– Ask about the coronavirus symptoms you have been experiencing

– Ask you to provide the name, telephone number and/or email address of anyone you have had close contact with in the two days prior to your symptoms starting

– Ask if anyone you have been in contact with is under 18 or lives outside of England

Contact tracers will never:

– Ask you to dial a premium rate (09 or 087) number to speak to them

– Ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind

– 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 PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone

– Disclose any of your personal or medical information to your contacts

– Provide medical advice on the treatment of any potential coronavirus symptoms

– Ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone, or tablet to anyone else

– Ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS