Police advice to avoid coronavirus Test and Trace scammers

As the government's system to trace people who might have come into contact with someone who has coronavirus gets under way, police are advising how to spot fraudsters who might use it to scam personal details.

Northumbria Police says if it's really NHS Test and Trace calling you it will be from their single number 0300 0135 000 - athough there are reports con artists can make their call seem like it comes from that number.

All text or emails sent by NHS Test and Trace will ask people to sign into the contact tracing website and will provide you with a unique reference number. We would advise people to type the web address https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk directly into their browser, followed by the unique reference number given to you, rather than clicking on any link provided in the message.

The only website anyone should ask you to visit is the official NHS Test & Trace website.

Contact tracers will never: 

• Ask you to dial a premium rate number (for example, those starting with 09 or 087)
• Ask you to make any form of payment 
• Ask you for details about your bank account 
• Ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone 
• Ask you to purchase a product
• Ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet
• 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, please report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cvwydw4g8pzt/fraud