August 2024 - Magazine - Page 20
WARNING: NHS TEST AND TRACE SCAM
P
KNOCKOUT PRINT
local print at internet prices
Your local printer for
Matfield, Brenchley
& Paddock Wood
eople are being warned to be on their guard against scammers posing as NHS
contact tracers.
In the scam, a message or phone call claiming to be from the NHS test and
trace service informs somebody they have come into contact with coronavirus
and need to self-isolate and take a test. The scammers ask them to confirm their
address so a testing kit can be sent to them. Bank card details are then requested
- purportedly to cover the cost of the testing kit.
In a genuine call, contact tracers will never:
• ask you to dial a premium rate number (for example, those starting
09 or 087)
• ask you to make any form of payment
• 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 Pin codes, or ask you to set up any
passwords or Pin codes over the phone
• ask you to purchase a product - including a test
• 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
Anyone receiving a call they suspect is not genuine should report the call to Action
Fraud. Online www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Source: Ofcom
HOW TO REPORT A SUSPICIOUS EMAIL
A
new email reporting service launched by the National Cyber Security Centre
has received over 160,000 messages about suspicious emails and has removed
over 1,400 links to scams in the last few weeks. These include:
•
•
01892 823540
20
20
info@knockoutprint.co.uk www.knockoutprint.co.uk
Scam web pages with mock-ups of official GOV.uk and TV licencing websites.
Visitors are lured into giving their billing information to scammers posing as
these legitimate organisations.
Scam web pages purporting to sell coronavirus linked bogus products such as
testing kits, face makes and even vaccines.
The automated email reporting service makes it easier than ever for people to
help protect others from falling victim to scams.
To use it, people are asked to simply forward suspect emails to
report@phishing.gov.uk
If they are found to link to malicious content, it will be taken down or blocked,
helping prevent future victims of crime.
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