The Pitlochry Neighbourhood Watch association are warning its members and the wider community over a new Covid Test Scam text that has been circling.
The new message which supposedly comes from ‘NHS Alert’ reads: “NHS: You’ve been in close contact with a person who has contracted the Omicron Variant. Please order a test kit via”.
The message then includes a link to order a test kit and pay a shipping cost or for the test by entering bank details and your Pin Number, making you the victim of a scam.
Recent advice released from Advice Direct Scotland stated that the Covid-19 pandemic has been an opportunity for scammers and organised criminals to prey on members of the public particularly older and more vulnerable people who are more isolated from family and friends than usual.
They remind people that legitimate medical testing will not be sold door-to door or through social media advertisements.
Test & Protect Scams in some cases are a message or phone call claiming to be from the NHS Test and Protect Service is sent claiming you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and that you should isolate and take a test.
The scammers will ask for your home address details so a testing kit can be sent out as well as your bank details to “cover the cost of the testing kit”.
NHS Test and Protect will never ask for bank details, pin numbers or passwords and will never ask for payment for a test.
You can order a legitimate test via the NHS by visiting https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests.