Reported on Neighbourhood Alert: Thames Valley police
Please be aware of this, call received by a friend this morning.
It went as follows:
‘Good afternoon I’m calling from the NHS track and trace service. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test.’
‘OK. Can you tell me who that person was ?’
‘I’m not able to tell you that. That is confidential information.’
‘Right. Um… so ….’
‘But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you ?’
‘Ok (gives address)’
I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalize this and send the kit to you.’
‘Sorry – a payment card? I thought this was all free under the NHS ?’
‘No – I’m afraid not. There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit and test results.
Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you’re ready.’
‘No – that’s not right. This is part of the NHS so there’s no charge[PJ1] .’
‘I’m afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please – this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.’
The phone is put down.
This is how scammers work. And vulnerable people may fall for it.”
Don’t fall for it…! Please share.
Many thanks Philip.
JUST PUT THE PHONE DOWN IF YOU GET A CALL LIKE THIS.
Reported on Linkedin: Debbie Ward
01/10/2020
Apologies if this is more Facebook than LinkedIn but felt I should share for people to flag it to any less savvy colleagues, friends and family.
SCAM ALERT… ‘Good Morning (At 1:30am) I’m called from the NHS track and trace service. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test.’
‘OK. Can you tell me who that person was?’
‘I’m not able to tell you that. That is confidential information. But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get your address so that we can send a kit to you?’
‘Ok (gives address)’
I just need to take a payment card so that we can send the kit to you.’
‘Sorry – a payment card? I thought this was all free?’
‘No – I’m afraid not. There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you’re ready.’
‘No – that’s not right. This is part of the NHS so there’s no charge.’
‘I’m afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please – this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.’
Puts the phone down.
This is how scammers work. And vulnerable people will fall for it.
Reported on linkedin: Chris Beddows
01/10/2020
Reported on Twitter: Nathan McGlynn
30/09/2020
People in my constituency and other constituency please be aware there is a scam going on after one of my constituency told me track and trace contact her and asking her for a one off payment £50 telling people to read the card number out the NHS dont charge its free hang up plz
Reported on Twitter: HUGH TERRY
01/10/2020
“I’m calling from NHS track & trace service. Our system shows you have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. You need to take a test. There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit & test results. Could you read the long card number for me?” *SCAM*
Reported on Twitter: Beverley Campbell
29/09/2020
Just received call from an Asian call centre, portraying they are N.H.S track and trace then want to know my business if I have life insurance, please sort this out it is a dangerous scam. Number was 07724913026.
Reported on Twitter: Gail Hughes
Been made aware by a local resident of telephone scam,people calling pretending to be NHS Track & Trace saying they needed a test, asking for bank details ‘process’ £150 charge to get a test sent to them.This is a scam PLEASE DO NOT SEND BANK DETAILS & report to ur phone provider
Reported on Twitter: AlexCofC
28/09/2020
1st attempt at a covid track and trace scam? Downloaded app Sat. Call now orders quarantine for 2 weeks. Offered postal test for £75 +p&p. Results to be sent by courier 1 wk. Asked who they thought I was and where my suspect ‘exposure’ was. Caller hung up. Confident? No.
Reported on Twitter: Shoshana
26/09/2020-
…‘Good afternoon I’m calling from the NHS track and trace service. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means…pg1
that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test.’ ‘OK. Can you tell me who that person was?’ ‘I’m not able to tell you that. That is confidential information.’ ‘Right. Um… so ….’ ‘But you do need to be tested w/in the next 72 hours. So can I just …pg2
get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?’ ‘Ok (gives address)’ I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalize this and send the kit to you.’ ‘Sorry – a payment card? I thought this was all free?’ ‘No – I’m afraid not. There is a one-off fee…pg3
of £50 (!!!) for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you’re ready.’ ‘No – that’s not right. This is part of the NHS so there’s no charge.’ ‘I’m afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please-this is very important!…pg4
You have to pay. There are penalties for not complying.’ This is how scammers work. And vulnerable people will fall for it. Don’t be vulnerable! Please share, wide+far! WhatsApp it. Tell your friends&family. Share with colleagues.
‘OK. Can you tell me who that person was?’
‘I’m not able to tell you that. That is confidential information.’
‘Right. Um… so ….’
‘But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?’
‘Ok (gives address)’
I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalize this and send the kit to you.’
‘Sorry – a payment card? I thought this was all free?’
‘No – I’m afraid not. There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you’re ready.’
‘No – that’s not right. This is part of the NHS so there’s no charge.’
‘I’m afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please – this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.’
Puts the phone down.
This is how scammers work. And vulnerable people will fall for it.”
Don’t fall for it…!