Scammers are using the NHS test and trace service to get personal or financial details from people.
In some cases, they are using numbers similar, or the same as the real test and trace number - 0300 0135 000.
Here are some tips on how to tell if your call is genuine or a scam. Contact tracers will never:
- Ask for money or details about your bank account
- Ask you to purchase anything - including a test
- Ask you to download anything or hand over control to your computer or mobile
- Ask you for any passwords or PINS
- Send someone to your home
- ask you to dial a premium rate number (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
- ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
- ask you to access any website that does not belong to the Government or NHS (the only website they might ask you to visit is https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk)
If you are contacted by someone and you are not sure, it's ok to challenge them.
If you are worried that you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud - www.actionfraud.police.uk