PCC urges local people to follow simple steps to avoid NHS Test and Trace fraudsters

PCC Sue Mountstevens is urging local people to follow simple steps to avoid NHS Test and Trace fraudsters.

Last week, the government launched its NHS Test and Trace service, aimed at contacting those who may have come into contact with someone with coronavirus symptoms.

The PCC and Chief Constable urged local people to be aware that fraudsters might try to take advantage of this new service in their most recent Facebook Live web chat.

PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “This is a time when we should all be supporting one another, not taking advantage of the most vulnerable in our communities. The exploitation of local people during this already unsettling time will not be tolerated. Please read the guidance and make yourself aware of what the NHS Test and Trace service will and will not ask you to do.”

The NHS have issued the following advice:

The NHS Test and Trace service will:

Contact you via email, text or telephone.

• Text messages will come from ‘NHS’
• Calls will come from 0300 013 5000

Children under 18 will be contacted by phone wherever possible and asked for their parent or guardian’s permission to continue the call.

You may be asked to sign in to the NHS Test and Trace contract tracing website: https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk. This is the ONLY website service they will ask you to use.

If you cannot use the website, they will call you.

The NHS Test and Trace service will NOT:

• Ask for bank details or payments
• Ask for details of any other accounts, such as social media
• Ask you to set up a password or PIN over the phone
• Ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087

If you are asked for these types of information, you can report the incident to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040.