Reepham & Wensum Valley Team Churches - at the Heart of the Community

Warning: Track and Trace Telephone Scam

We have been notified by the Diocesan Safeguarding Team about a very plausible and concerning telephone track & trace scam which was reported last week. A transcript of the call is below. If you receive one of these calls, please hang up. The track and trace scheme is FREE. You do not have to pay anything to get tested.
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‘Good morning, 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.’

‘OK. Can you tell me who that person was?’

‘I’m not able to tell you that. That is confidential information.’

‘Right….so ….’

‘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?’

‘OK (gives address)’

‘Thank you – and I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalise this and send the kit to you.’

‘Sorry – a payment card? I thought this was all free?’

‘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.’

‘No – that’s not right. This is part of the NHS so there’s no charge.’

‘I’m afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please – this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.’