Police and local authorities have issued warnings about a scam text telling you to book a PCR test after being in contact with someone who has Covid. Scam texts are being sent across the country as people prepare to pay for lateral flow tests for the first time.
The text, which appears to be from NHS Test and Trace – takes you to a site where you are then asked to pay to book a PCR test. But the NHS will never ask you to pay for a PCR test. Instead this scam allows conmen to have your bank details – which they can use to drain your account.
Detective Inspector Pete Hankins, from Hertfordshire Police 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.”
Elizabeth Kirk, Senior Trading Standards Officer at Cornwall Council, said: “These texts can seem very genuine, but the NHS, government or Public Health Cornwall would never send messages like this from a mobile phone. The most important thing is to remember that the scammers want you to click a link. If you click the link, you could enable them to download malware, viruses or other nasties.
“It might also give them access to your passwords for internet banking or any other sites you access…
