People are being warned to be vigilant about scam texts amid the meningitis outbreak, after reports of fake NHS texts – but there’s an easy way to stay safe
Fraudsters are exploiting the fear and uncertainty surrounding the meningitis outbreak to swindle Brits out of their hard-earned cash.
A meningitis outbreak erupted in Kent earlier this month, triggering a national emergency as two individuals succumbed to the infection following an outbreak linked to Canterbury’s Club Chemistry nightclub. As of 22nd March, there have been 20 confirmed cases and nine suspected instances of meningococcal disease, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirming no new infections in the past 24 hours.
In response to the outbreak, the UKHSA, in collaboration with NHS England, orchestrated a vaccination programme against the specific strain of meningitis, known as MenB, responsible for the outbreak. The vaccine was offered to certain groups, including those who have been in close contact with the 29 confirmed or suspected cases, students at the University of Kent residing at the Canterbury campus, and anyone who was working at the Club Chemistry nightclub between 5th March and 15th March.
However, in the aftermath of the outbreak, it’s reported that scammers are attempting to capitalise on the health fears many people are experiencing, aiming to pilfer their money by masquerading as the NHS.
According to a TikTok user named Caroline, who regularly posts scam alerts and advice on her account, some individuals have reported receiving bogus text messages from people purporting to be the NHS, requesting them to schedule a MenB vaccine appointment.
These messages appear “incredibly convincing”, and with people worried about their health – particularly with the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown still vivid in people’s memories – it’s probable that more than a few individuals will be caught out.
However, there’s one straightforward method to verify the message is legitimate. The NHS will never request payment for a vaccine, so if you receive a text or email asking you to hand over cash in return for a MenB vaccine, this is not an authentic message.
Caroline explained: “Scammers are using the recent meningitis outbreak to scam people, and it’s incredibly convincing, so you need to be on your guard. Whenever there’s a health scare in the UK, whether it be Covid, monkeypox or meningitis, scams always spike. During previous health campaigns, thousands of fake NHS messages were reported, and people lost hundreds of pounds.
“So here is what’s happening now; make sure you don’t fall for it. You might get a text message saying it’s from the NHS, saying you have been exposed to meningitis, and you need to book to get your vaccine to make sure you’re safe. Or a WhatsApp message saying meningitis is prevalent in your area and asking you to click a link. Or an email saying you’ve been exposed to it and you need to click the link to schedule an appointment.
“The scary thing is, these messages can look identical to what the NHS would send. But some important things to note are that the NHS will never ask you to click a link and pay to get a vaccine. Or to share personal details or bank information via a link.”
Whilst the NHS may request you to click links to schedule appointments, they will never ask for money or personal details beyond your date of birth. To be on the safe side, you can directly visit the NHS website or use the NHS app, where any legitimate requests for you to make a booking should be visible.
Who is currently eligible for the MenB vaccine?
The UKHSA, NHS England, and the UK government are jointly running a targeted vaccination programme against MenB. The programme might be extended as the UKHSA continues to evaluate the ongoing risk of the outbreak, but it is currently only available to certain groups of people, including:
- Close contacts of those who are confirmed or suspected to have meningococcal disease.
- Students at the University of Kent who normally reside on the Canterbury Campus. This includes those who have travelled home, and also some staff living or working in these halls of residence.
- Students who attend other universities in Canterbury, living in halls of residence or off-campus locations, where there have been cases.
- Sixth form students (Year 12 and 13) attending secondary school or sixth form college in Kent where there has been a confirmed or probable case of meningococcal disease.
- Anyone who visited or was working at Club Chemistry in Canterbury between 5 March and 15 March.
- Year 11s in schools where the vaccination offer has already been made.
The UKHSA asserts that the risk of infection to the wider public remains low. Transmission of MenB requires close and prolonged contact to spread, such as residing in the same household, intimate contact, or sharing drinks or vapes. The bacteria are not as contagious as other infections such as measles or Covid-19.
For more information on the vaccine, visit the UKHSA website.
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