The NHS has warned people about a scam Covid text
(Picture: Getty Images)The NHS has warned against a growing number of scam text messages that encourage people to buy PCR tests after supposedly being in contact with the Omicron variant.
As UK Covid cases begin to rise again, people have reported receiving texts that claim to be from the NHS alerting them that they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid. The text also says that they have to order — and pay for — a PCR test.
The scam texts say variants of: “You’ve been in close contact with a person who has contracted the Omicron variant,” or “We have been notified you have been in close contact with a confirmed Omicron case.”
The recipient is then urged to click a link to order a PCR test and pay for post and packaging, or for the test itself. The link may include the words “test and trace,” “swab,” “kit,” “health,” or even “NHS.”
People who clicked on the link have reported that the website looks just like the NHS website.
The latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggest one in 37 people in the UK has coronavirus, a rise from one in 50 the week before.
Do not click on the link in the scam text and never enter any personal information on a website you do not trust. The scammers may be trying to steal your personal information, such as passwords or banking details.
The NHS has warned people that these texts are fake, reminding people that free PCR tests have generally stopped, and that the NHS would never ask for your bank details.
The NHS said on Twitter earlier this year: “Beware of fake NHS text messages telling you that you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the Omicron variant.
“We never ask for bank details — please be aware of suspicious messages with links to fake websites.”
⚠️ Beware of fake NHS text messages telling you that you've been in close contact with someone who has the Omicron variant.
— NHS (@NHSuk) May 12, 2022
We never ask for bank details - please be aware of suspicious messages with links to fake websites.
Report scam text messages ⬇️https://t.co/qqAiPB51wU
The NHS also told one Twitter user who reported receiving the text: “It sounds like one of the scam text messages.
“Free PCR tests have generally stopped for people now so we would advise caution with the message. If the website it takes you to asks you to pay for anything, including postage, it is a scam.”
The NHS shared a link to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)’s advice on phishing and how to report a scam text.
The NCSC says: “Most phone providers are part of a scheme that allows customers to report suspicious text messages for free by forwarding it to 7726.
“If you forward a text to 7726, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and arrange to block or ban the sender, if it’s found to be malicious.”
Alternatively, you can take a screenshot of the text and send it to report@phising.gov.uk.
What are phishing and smishing?
Smishing comes from phishing, which is when scammers “fish” for your personal data via email or social media. Smishing is when scammers send people fake links via text or “SMS” message.
In 2020, trying to combat phishing attacks, the NCSC helped develop the Suspicious Email Reporting Service with the City of London Police.
"As a result, we have received 12 million red flags from the public to potential phishing attacks - leading to more than 80,000 scams being removed from the internet," it said.
