Warning Over COVID Test Scam Texts

Living Magazines Hertfordshire Constabulary

Police are warning residents about reports of scam text messages claiming individuals have been in contact with someone who has the Omicron COVID variant.

Seven people have reported the scam in Herts, with several clicking a link in the text to apply for a test kit and have been duped into giving personal information, with some divulging bank details as they are asked to pay for postage and packaging.

NHS Test and Trace contact tracers will never:

  • ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product of any kind
  • ask for any details about your bank account

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud please report to 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Detective Inspector Pete Hankins, from the Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: ‘Fraudsters are very quick to adapt their tactics to take advantage of circumstances, like the pandemic. If you receive any unsolicited messages or calls, you should always be sceptical. Avoid clicking links in text and email messages, check out the website directly via a search engine to make sure you are visiting a genuine site.’

  • Do not open attachments or click on links in emails or texts from senders you don’t know
  • Never give out personal information, financial details or passwords in response to an email, text or phone call without verifying that the person is who they claim to be
  • Block any numbers that arouse suspicion
  • Set up spam filters on all of your accounts
  • Always go to a website directly, by typing out the address yourself, when logging into an account
  • Keep an eye out for numerous spelling mistakes in messages, these are normally linked to phishing emails and texts
  • Report any offences to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online www.actionfraud.police.uk
  • Forward suspicious texts to Action Fraud’s text number 7726, for free
  • Call 119 to check with a genuine NHS professional if you have any doubts

Scams can come in many forms and is an incredibly sophisticated crime, making it more difficult to distinguish genuine messages from the fake.

We all make mistakes and these days the scams can be incredibly convincing. If you think you, or someone you know has been a victim of online fraud:

Remember: if you believe a crime is in progress or someone is in danger, always dial 999.

To receive police messages about a range of topics including burglaries, scams and missing people in your local area, sign up to owl.co.uk/herts or download the ‘OWL crime alerts’ app from your app store.