RESIDENTS are advised to be aware of bogus Covid -19 Testing telephone calls that are being made by telephone. These calls are bogus and are being made by people with the criminal intent to deceive callers and make payment from there bank account or credit cards.
Please ensure that any elderly or vulnerable persons that you may care for or know are advised to put the phone receiver down and make sure that when they pick it back up there is a dialling tone. These bogus “Covid-19 Test & Trace” calls are VERY plausible and there is genuine concern that some people could be easily tricked into providing their bank account /credit card details.
This is an example call which has received by someone who realised it was bogus, despite the householder realising the call was suspicious and thus challenged the caller you will note how persistent the caller was:
Caller: Good afternoon I’m calling from the NHS track and trace service. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test.
Householder: OK. Can you tell me who that person was?
Caller: I’m not able to tell you that. That is confidential information. But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?
Householder: OK (gives address)
Caller: I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalise this and send the kit to you.
Householder: Sorry – a payment card? I thought this was all free?
Caller: No – I’m afraid not. There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you’re ready.
Householder: No – that’s not right. This is part of the NHS so there’s no charge.’
Caller: I’m afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please – this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.
The telephone call was then terminated by the householder.
The above demonstrates how plausible such a call could be and how it could worry some people especially with the added concern arising from Covid -19 situation. Please be aware of this and other similar scams.
PLEASE DO NOT PROVIDE BANK, CREDIT CARD OR EVEN YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS, SUCH AS DATE OF BIRTH OR YOUR ADDRESS, TO UNEXPECTED TELEPHONE CALLS.
Kenilworth Watch 