Learn how the system works, and you can learn how to spot the signs of a Test and Trace scam.
The NHS launched their Test and Trace system in late May, 2020. You can learn about how the system works here.
Unfortunately, police expect that criminals will try to exploit the Test and Trace system to scam people. We’ve already published a guide to avoiding Covid-19 scams. You can read it here. Now let’s take a look at how to avoid Test and Trace scams.
NHS Test and Trace Scams – Advice from Police
If NHS Test and Trace calls you by phone, the service will be using a single phone number 0300 0135 000.
The only website the service will ask you to visit is https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk
If they contact you by any other phone number, or if they ask you to visit any other website, then it’s almost certainly a scam. You can hang up the phone and ignore any messages.
Contact tracers will never ask you to do any of the following:
- Dial a premium rate number to speak to us (for example, those starting 09 or 087).
- Make any form of payment.
- Provide details about your bank account.
- Provide your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts.
- Share any passwords or PINs. Nor will they ever ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone.
- Purchase a product.
- Download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet.
- Access any website that does not belong to the Government or NHS.
You can learn more about Test and Trace, how it works and how to avoid scams, on the government’s website.