Be careful of scammers

Be careful of scammers....a GP trainee has received this call:

‘Good Morning (At 1:30am) ?? I'm calling from the NHS track and trace service, Sorry to wake you !!

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.' 'OK. Can you tell me who that person was?' 'I'm not able to tell you that. That is confidential information.' 'Right. Um... so ....' '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 a kit to you?' 'Ok (gives address)' I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalize this and send the kit to you.' 'Sorry - a payment card? I thought this was all free?' 'No - I'm afraid not. There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you're ready.' 'No - that's not right. This is part of the NHS so there's no charge.' 'I'm afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please - this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.' Note this which I've just cut and pasted from the NHS Track and Trace site:

Important

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 number over the phone

ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087

IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU WANT TO LET POLICE KNOW EITHER PHONE 101 

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: hale.snt@met.police.uk

Police Contact Advice

Telephone 999 in an emergency where there is a danger to life or a crime is in progress.

Telephone 101 for non-emergencies where police attendance is required, to report a crime or to report any other incidents.

If you are calling about the above message, please tell us that you are responding to a message from OWL.