Forum Topic

NHS scam?

We've received a text purporting to come from the NHS which says, in effect, "you have been in contact with someone with Omicron. Apply for a Covid lateral flow test" and giving an internet address to click.  Is this a scam?  I'm sure that if I clicked on the tab I would be asked for name, address, and other details, which could be the first step in ID theft.

David Darlow ● 1594d4 Comments

Yes it's a scam.  Latest Govt advice if you think you've been in contact with a covid-positive person is "you do not need to do daily rapid lateral flow tests if you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19".  Neither do you have to self-isolate.  But they do recommendavoid contact with the person who has COVID-19 as much as you canavoid contact with people at higher-risk from COVID-19, especially if their immune system means they’re at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, even if they’ve had a COVID-19 vaccinelimit contact with people you do not live with, particularly in crowded places, indoors or where there is not much fresh airwear a face covering that fits snugly against your face and has more than 1 layer where you're in close contact with other people, or in crowded placeswash your hands often with soap or water, or use hand sanitiser

Marie Power ● 1594d

Yes it is a scam. I got a similar text message and it is very convincing (actually came on the same text number and stream where my NHS appts are confirmed). Don't click any links.

Jeannie Shapiro ● 1594d

Similar text but said PCR test. Knew it was a scam as soon as I looked at it. It had a phone number not a recognisable NHS number. Reported and deleted immediately.

Bob Guyett ● 1594d

as I posted on ?5thFollowing received from the Co-op BankCovid Text ScamsWe've seen a spike in our customers receiving fake COVID-19 texts.The text may claim that you've been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. You could then be asked to click on a link to provide your financial information in order to book and pay for a PCR test.Do not engage or share your bank details. This may lead to card fraud or the fraudster may follow up with a phone call posing as someone from the bank.

James Roy ● 1593d