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Jun 2020

Last Updated: 12/06/2020

Health

Warnings over test and trace scammers in Yorkshire

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 12 Jun, 2020

The North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group has received reports of scammers claiming to be from NHS Test and Trace. The group is advising patients to be aware and seek guidance if they are concerned.

The NHS test and trace system will continue to be used, but strategies will now be focused at a local level.

There have been reports of scammers claiming to be from the NHS Test and Trace scheme. The North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is advising patients to be aware and seek the correct guidance.

The NHS Test and Trace scheme aims to limit the spread of coronavirus by encouraging patients with positive test results to share the details about the people they have recently been in contact with.

Yorkshire CCG has advised the public that any telephone call or text will come from a verified NHS number and it will provide you with a unique ID number. If you receive a text message, the CCG is advising to not click on any links within the text but instead go direct to the Test and Trace website.

Dr Charles Parker, Clinical Chair of NHS North Yorkshire CCG, said:

“People will usually be contacted within 72 hours after a test with the result. If you have not taken a test in the last 72 hours then the call or text will not be genuine. Please also be reassured that a genuine contact tracer will not ask you to provide any passwords, bank account details or pin numbers.

“Please do not let this stop you from taking a test, it is important that we do as much as we can to halt the spread of the virus and then we can start returning to a normal life.”

Harrogate NHS Nightingale contract has been extended until the end of July.

District care homes have received tablets from the CCG to allow residents to have face-to-face GP appointments.

NHS North Yorkshire CCG Lay Member for Patient and Public Involvement, Kate Kennady, said:

“The NHS Test and Trace scheme is an important part of the country’s strategy to suppress Covid-19 so we can move towards normality as soon as possible. It is important that people engage with the service because the better the uptake the more successful it will be. However there are some things to look out for to protect yourself from fraud.”

The Yorkshire CCG has warned the public to be aware and seek further guidance if they are concerned about a contact.

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Warnings over test and trace scammers in Yorkshire

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