The NHS Test and Trace service plays an important role in the fight against coronavirus and it’s vital the public have confidence and trust in the service. However, there are real and valid concerns about the opportunity it creates for criminals to commit scams. We've been provided with this useful information on NHS Test and Trace by Action Fraud for you to use for future reference.

The NHS Test and Trace service will:

  • Only call you from the number 0300 013 5000. Anyone who does not wish to talk over the phone can request an email or text instead, inviting them to log into the web-based service.
  • Ask you to sign into the contact tracing website and provide you with a unique reference number. You're advised to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into your browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any links provided in the message.

 

The NHS Test and Trace service will never:

  • ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
  • ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product or any kind
  • ask for any details about your bank account
  • ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
  • ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
  • ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else
  • ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS

 

If you think you have been a victim of fraud

Report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.