Sick scammers already trying to con people out of cash after launch of NHS Test and Trace service

Virus lockdown has seen an estimated 40 per cent increase in reported doorstep, phone and email scams across Buckinghamshire, and Trading Standards say their priority is to protect residents from potential text, email and phone frauds based on the new NHS Test & Trace system.

They warn people to be wary of ‘phishing’ texts and emails, to ‘think before you click’ on a link in a text or email suggesting, for example, that someone testing positive to Covid-19 had come into contact with them and recommending a click-link for more help.

Classic examples so far have ranged from emails and texts claiming you are due a refund from your TV licence, council tax or income tax, using Covid-19 as bait and providing a dodgy link, to fake texts purporting to be from the government promising a ‘relief’ payout and providing a fake link.

Other scams have involved shopping orders: facemasks that never arrive, hand sanitiser that isn’t, even fake NHS lanyards for sale.

Neighbourhood Watch in the Princes Risborough area has already reported at least one phone scam involving a member of the public who fortunately saw through the trick.

The call went like this (member of public is X):

Caller: Good morning. I am 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.

X - okay, Can you tell me who that person was?

Caller: I am not able to do that. This is confidential information.

X- Right ...So?

Caller: 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 you the kit?

X- OK ( gives address)

Caller: Thank you. I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalise this and send the kit to you.

X- Sorry, a payment card? I thought this was all free?

Caller: No I am afraid not. There is a one-off fee of £500 for the kit and the test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please when you are ready?

X- No that's not right. This is part of the NHS so there is no charge.

Caller: I am afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please - this is very important and there are penalties for not complying.

X- puts the phone down.

Fred Wilson, Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for regulatory services, said: "The important thing to remember is to always be alert. If in doubt, do not click on any links that could send your details straight to the scammers.”

He said although alerts from the NHS Test & Trace service could come by text, email or phone call, there was clear government guidance as to how it works, and there was no need to give financial information as it is a free service.

Criminals can spoof texts, making messages appear in a chain of texts alongside previous genuine messages making them look so plausible,” said Fred. “So as the Test & Trace scheme rolls out, the warning is to be very alert. Don’t give them a foothold in Buckinghamshire.”

Fred said residents should forward dodgy-looking emails to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk.

Lockdown scam losses could have been much worse, were it not for Trading Standards officers’ vigilance and preventive action against scam phone calls, which try to get residents’ bank details.

They have supplied potential victims with free Truecall blocking devices that during four months stopped more than 1,400 nuisance phone calls, 276 of which were fraudulent, saving residents an estimated total of £83,000 in potentially scammed cash. In addition Trading Standards had 43 unsolicited calls reported.