WEST Mercia Police is warning of two new scams which see Herefordshire residents targeted by fraudsters.

Test and Trace

Police officers have warned about people being targeted by scammers pretending to be from the new NHS Test and Trace service.

The service means people across England with coronavirus will now have their contacts traced in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19 and help ease lockdown restrictions.

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Detective Sergeant Jon Cooper from the West Mercia Police Economic Crime Unit said: "We are urging the public to please be aware of the Track and Trace process and to guard against fraud attempts.

"If NHS Test and Trace calls you by phone, the service will be using a single phone number 0300 0135 000. The only website the service will ask you to visit is https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk."

Contact tracers will never:

  • Ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to us (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
  • Ask you to make any form of payment
  • Ask for any details about your bank account
  • Ask for your social media identities or login details, or those of your contacts
  • Ask you for any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs over the phone
  • Ask you to purchase a product
  • Ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet
  • Ask you to access any website that does not belong to the Government or NHS

He added: "If you think you have been subjected to, or a victim of, a scam or attempted fraud using Track and Trace or any other fraud please call 101 or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

"If you or someone else is in immediate danger or risk of harm dial 999 now.

Council tax reduction

West Mercia Police has also warned of phishing emails offering people a council tax reduction.

The National Cyber Security Centre describe phishing as when criminals try to convince you to click on links within a scam email or text message, or to give sensitive information away, such as bank details.

Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords.

Police said criminals are known to use government branding in emails to convince people they’re genuine before someone gives away their bank details or other information.

But officers have urge people not to automatically click on any links or attachments as they could lead to fake websites.

Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk

Ledbury Reporter: