Scottish Contract Tracing Programme – SCAM PREVENTION ADVICE

NHS Western Isles and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are raising awareness of important scam prevention advice across our communities, in relation to the Scottish Contact Tracing Programme.

The NHS Scotland Contact Tracing Programme is extremely important in the fight against coronavirus and it’s vital the public get on board with it.

Unfortunately, criminals will exploit every opportunity they can to defraud innocent people of their money, or steal their personal details.

Health boards have a variety of mechanisms in place to reassure people that Contact Tracers are legitimate, including call back options, visible numbers, and specific location and date information.

To help protect yourself from any such scam be aware that contact tracers WILL:

• get in touch by phone call or text message.
• introduce themselves, state the reason for their call, and will always identify the call recipient by name.
• only ask for information about your movements and the people you have been in close physical proximity to.

Contact tracers will NEVER:

• ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them.
• ask you to make any form of payment, including a charitable donation.
• ask for any details about your medical history.
• 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 passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any passwords or PINs on the phone.
• ask you to purchase a product or attempt to sell you anything.
• ask you to download any software to your device or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet.

​If you are in any doubt, hang up and contact your local Covid Response Team directly as they will be able to answer any queries you may have.  Tel. 01851 601151 or email: wi-hb.covid19queries@nhs.net