There have recently been scams circulating, which involve criminals attempting to use the COVID-19 track and trace scheme to gain personal details.
If you or your child has been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19 and needs to self-isolate, you may get genuine contact in one of the ways below:
- an email, text or phone call from NHS Test and Trace – text messages will come from NHStracing, and calls will come from 0300 0135 000
- a phone call from the council’s COVID-19 support service; in this phone call, you will be asked your name and date of birth; however, if you are unsure, you can end the phone call and check it is legitimate by ringing 01226 774666.
- an alert from the NHS COVID-19 app
If your child has been in close contact with someone at school who has COVID-19 and needs to self-isolate, you will receive an email, text, letter or phone call from their school about this.
If the NHS test and trace service call you, you’ll be asked to sign-in on the contact tracing website at https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk.
Please remember that at no point will you be asked:
- for bank details or payments
- for details of any other accounts, such as social media
- to set up a password or PIN number over the phone
- to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087
We urge you to remain vigilant, be cautious and listen to your instincts! A genuine caller will never rush or put pressure on you to respond, and it is important to remember that telephone numbers can be spoofed. So, don’t be afraid to hang up on a caller, bin a letter, delete an email or shut the door if you are unsure.
If you think you’ve been scammed, tell your bank and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Always report a possible scam; it could save someone else from becoming a victim.