Police and Trading Standards have warned UK patients about a convincing NHS phone hoax
Residents across the UK are being alerted to a sophisticated new NHS telephone scam that is currently doing the rounds, potentially leaving thousands of patients concerned about losing access to their local GP services. Police forces and consumer protection bodies have issued a warning following a spike in automated calls targeting unsuspecting people.
If you are contacted by phone with claims that your local GP or surgery is “updating their registry”, end the call straight away. This is the guidance being given to people across Britain regarding the new fraud designed to deceive you into handing over personal details or installing malicious software.
The scam starts with an automated voice message. It informs you that if you wish to continue using your local doctor’s surgery, you need to “press one” to speak with an NHS staff member. They claim they will assist you in setting up a new mobile application to remain registered, reports the Mirror.
The complete message states: “Our systems show your local practitioner is updating their registry. If you would like to keep attending your local practitioner, please press one to speak with a member of staff at the NHS to show you how to set up our new mobile app.”
Trading Standards and police forces throughout the UK have issued urgent alerts concerning this specific recorded script. Norfolk County Council Trading Standards and Sudbury and Haverhill Police have confirmed that this is entirely fraudulent.
The NHS will never contact you unexpectedly by telephone to threaten your access to healthcare, nor will it instruct you to download an application during a phone call.
Fraudsters employ “number spoofing” to make the call appear to originate from a genuine UK mobile or local telephone number, rendering the scam highly persuasive. Should you press the button, you will be put through to a fraudster who will attempt to obtain your banking details or personal information.
Criminals may also use these calls to extract personal data, banking details, passwords, or security codes. Those behind the scam may create a sense of urgency in order to pressure you into making a hasty decision.
What can you do to stay safe?
- End the call immediately and do not press any buttons or respond to the message.
- Do not trust the caller ID, as genuine numbers can be easily replicated by criminals.
- If you have concerns, contact your actual GP surgery using the number listed on their official website.
If you have already disclosed your financial information, contact your bank without delay. You can also report the scam to Action Fraud to help protect others from falling victim. Continue to monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity.
Remember the advice from Take Five to Stop Fraud. Stop (pause before parting with money/info), challenge (could it be fake?), and protect (contact your bank and report it). You can report NHS-specific fraud directly to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login