Published Date: Jun 19th, 2020
NHS Test and Protect teams are currently calling people who have either tested positive for Covid19, or been in close contact with someone who has.
Unfortunately, scammers are calling people at home too.
How do you keep yourself, and others, safe from these fraudsters? Well, first and foremost, you will NEVER be asked for payment or bank details. If you are, hang up immediately. For more information, keep reading.
What is Test and Protect?
Test and Protect is a Scottish Government public health approach to help limit the spread of COVID-19 within the community. It puts into practice a ‘test, trace, isolate, support’ strategy and the service was launched in Fife last month
How does it work?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with someone else who has, you will receive a telephone call from a Contact Tracer who WILL:
- Introduce themselves and state clearly that they are calling from the NHS Fife Public Health department.
- Explain the reason for the contact
- Address you by your name
- Ask for details of people you have come into contact with, in a relevant time period
- Inform you that you will receive further information by email with advice on isolation and the support available (if you don’t have access to email, they may ask for your home address so this information can be delivered to you by post)
A voicemail may be left by a Contact Tracer if you are unable to take their initial call. You will be advised that you have received a call from NHS Fife Public Health and requested to call back on the generic phone number 01592 729121, quoting a unique ‘Case ID’ number as the reference. No further information is provided in the voicemail.
How do I know this is a genuine call?
If you feel any suspicion when you receive a Test and Protect call, ask the Contact Tracer for the switchboard contact number which should be given as 01592 643 355 extension 29121. You can then hang up, dial the number yourself and asking to be reconnected with the Contact Tracer who has been dealing with you.
A genuine Contact Tracer will NOT:
- Ask for personal information such as bank details or medical records
- Try to sell you anything or ask for payment of any kind
- Tell you the identity of the person who is infected
- Ask you to go online to download something by clicking on a link
- Ask you to set up a pin number
- Ask for social media login details
- Ask for remote access to your computer
Report potential contact tracing scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060 or www.advice.scot
Follow up emails
When you receive the follow up email after the call, as outlined above, it should come from an nhs.net email address. If you receive an email which is not from nhs.net DO NOT open it.
If you’ve been scammed
If you realise you have been the victim of a fraud, report it to Police Scotland as soon as possible on 101.
Where can I find further trusted information on Test and Protect?
NHS Inform helpline: 0800 22 44 88
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Test and Protect
Where can I get help if I’ve been asked to self-isolate?
Covid19 is affecting a lot of people physically, mentally and financially.
Whether you are self-isolating through the Test and Protect system, or one of those shielding for specific medical reasons or maybe just struggling in general due various lockdown restrictions, we can help you.
If you don’t have any other support nearby from friends, family or neighbours we can help you or at least point you to the right place to get help.