POLICE are concerned that the Test, Trace, and Protect Service will be the next target for fraudsters and scammers.

NHS Wales has started the service, which aims to control the spread of coronavirus in Wales.

But North Wales Police are concerned that this system will be the next target for fraudsters to take advantage of.

If someone tests positive for coronavirus, they will be contacted and asked who they have been in recent contact with and where they have visited. A contact tracer will then contact these people to self-isolate, to help stop the spread of the virus.

The contact tracer will ask for information such as people’s names, dates of birth, addresses, telephone numbers (including mobile) and email addresses.

Police are urging people to be vigilant for signs of cyber security, phishing or fraud. Contact tracers will not ask for any financial information, bank details, passwords or any other data other than information detailed above as part of the contact tracing process. If in doubt, people should not provide the information.

Contact tracers will never:

  • Ask you to dial a premium rate number (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
  • 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

Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer, DC Rachel Roberts, said: “Criminals will exploit any opportunity they can to defraud innocent people of their money, or steal their personal details.

“This contact tracing service is vitally important to the fight against Coronavirus. However, we share concerns that this gives criminals an opportunity to commit scams and we have already begun to receive reports of these being sent.

“The NHS Test and Trace Service will never ask you for financial details, PIN numbers or banking passwords. They will also never visit your home.

“It is possible for criminals to fake official phone numbers but they cannot fake official websites. Therefore, if you receive a Test and Trace phone call, text message or email, please check the website address being provided very carefully. If possible, type the official address, into your browser rather than clicking on any links.”

If you think you have been sent a scam text message or email, report it to Action Fraud.

Find out more about how the Test, Trace and Protect Service works visit https://gov.wales/contact-tracing-your-questions