Urgent warning as 'low-life' conmen scam Hampshire victims pretending to be from NHS Test and Trace team

‘LOW-LIFE predators’ are targeting vulnerable people and duping them of their cash by pretending to be coronavirus test and trace officials.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Fareham Borough Council issued the warning about the con, which has been in operation for several weeks.

The scam sees criminals calling up their victim and claiming to be from the NHS’s Test and Trace team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The conmen warn their unwitting target they will have to self-isolate for two weeks – and then ask for bank details.

Fareham Borough Council leader, Councillor Sean Woodward Fareham Borough Council leader, Councillor Sean Woodward
Fareham Borough Council leader, Councillor Sean Woodward

The deception is the latest in a string of cons by heartless crooks, who have been targeting people across Hampshire during the coronavirus lockdown.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, has now warned people to be on their guard.

He said: ‘These people are absolute low-lives. Unfortunately there is always somebody looking to take advantage of a bad situation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘And when people are vulnerable and worried, there are predators who will prey on it.

Read More
Portsmouth hailed one of UK's 'safest cities' for coronavirus infection rates de...

‘We’ve had people turning up offering to do food shops for people, getting their credit cards and then not using them to shop for food.

‘We have seen some awful activities going on and people just absolutely need to be aware: nobody is going to ring them up asking them for details if they’re from any reputable sort of organisation.’

The warning is the latest by the council chief, who is also the county councillor responsible for trading standards in Hampshire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

NHS Test and Trace aims to stem the spread of coronavirus by asking those with positive test results to share details about the people they've been in contact with recently who may have caught the virus as a result.

The NHS will get in touch with those who have tested positive, as well as those who have been in contact with positive cases.

In England, people may be contacted by text or phone, but in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, the NHS will currently only contact you by phone.

For more details on the test and trace service, click here.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.