Coronavirus Track & Trace Scams Advice

Be aware of a growing trend of criminals taking advantage of the current Covid-19 crisis to defraud innocent people, including the new NHS Test and Trace service.

The NHS Test and Trace service has been introduced to allow the NHS to trace the spread of the virus, isolate new infections and give early warning if the virus is increasing again.

However, scammers are now making phone calls, sending texts and emails pretending to be from NHS Test and Trace in order to obtain your personal details.

Advice on how to identify a genuine contact tracer from a scammer.

Genuine NHS contact tracers will:

-call you from 0300 013 5000
-send you text messages from ‘NHS’
-ask you to sign into the NHS test and trace contact-tracing website
-ask for your full name and date of birth to confirm your identity, and postcode to offer support while self-isolating
-ask about the coronavirus symptoms you have been experiencing
-ask you to provide the name, telephone number and/or email address of anyone you have had close contact with in the two days prior to your symptoms starting-
ask if anyone you have been in contact with is under 18 or lives outside of England

Contact tracers will never:

-ask you to dial a premium rate number to speak to them (for example, those starting 09 or 087)
-ask you to make any form of payment or purchase a product of any kind
-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
-disclose any of your personal or medical information to your contacts
-provide medical advice on the treatment of any potential coronavirus symptoms
-ask you to download any software to your PC or ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet to anyone else
-ask you to access any website that does not belong to the government or NHS

If you or somebody you know has been caught out by a scam or fraud contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit the Action Fraud website. If you need advice on anything else, please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0344 411 1444

You will only ever be called from the number 0300 013 5000, or you will be texted from “NHS”. 

The role Neighbourhood Policing plays in Operation Galaxy

This month has seen your local policing team dealing with a number of incidents under the operation name of Galaxy. Since the start of this operation we have made nearly 500 arrests across the force area. As part of this operation the local neighbourhood team in Howden have been patrolling local ASB hotspots, making numerous visits to vulnerable persons, and have executed a number of warrants in the wider area resulting in numerous arrests and protecting the public from harm.

Your local neighbourhood team plays a crucial role within Humberside Police and the area you live.  They are the eyes and ears of your local community, ensuring that the issues of most concern to you are acted upon.  Their time is spent patrolling the streets and crime hotspot areas, listening to your concerns and working with partner agencies to proactively tackle issues such as; antisocial behaviour, nuisance motor vehicles, drug misuse, wildlife and rural crime and burglaries, among others.  If you report a problem, we will work with partners to resolve it.

With the lockdown restrictions gradually being eased, your neighbourhood team will be continuing to provide a highly visible presence and reassurance in your community.  Our Ward areas cover a diverse section of the East Riding covering both urban and rural areas, each one having slightly differing needs.  Our neighbourhood teams are a key part of policing and are essential to the smooth running of Operation Galaxy.

We will be patrolling areas that are likely to grow in popularity such as retail parks and open outdoor spaces.  We will be supporting local businesses, offering guidance and advice to ensure that both employees and customers feel safe when they do reopen.

You can get in touch with us in a few ways.  Our neighbourhood officers are there to listen to you.  You can tell them your concerns in person when you see them on patrol or if they knock on your door.  We actively encourage our communities to report the issues that matter to them.  We are all about patrolling with a purpose, which means mapping out and providing a visible presence in the areas you are frequently reporting to us.  One of the easiest ways to pass us information is by calling our non-emergency phone number 101.  We have a team of specially trained operators who can take information from you and make sure it lands in the hands of the correct team.

Operation Galileo

Officers from across the East Riding of Yorkshire area continue to engage in the prevention and detection of wildlife offences and poaching across the ward area. Officers will be using intelligence, new equipment and volunteers in helping to identify offenders and obtaining evidence to form prosecution cases. If you see people with dogs in fields, and if safe to do so, please ring 101 and report the incident.

Dear Resident

We are writing to you with regards to how you can access support and safeguard yourself against scams during the coronavirus outbreak.

Unfortunately not everyone out there is trustworthy and some people will try to take advantage of this unusual situation our society is facing and try to exploit people.

Listed below are some of the scams that you could be approached with, but please note that criminals and their scams come in all shapes and sizes, and they may contact you at the door, by phone, post or online:

• Be aware of people offering miracle cures or vaccines for coronavirus – there is no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19)
• People impersonating healthcare workers, claiming to be offering ‘home-testing’ for coronavirus – this is a scam and these kits are not currently available to buy
• Emails saying that you can get a refund on taxes, utilities or similar - they are usually bogus and they are just trying to obtain your bank and personal details
• Fake products available to buy online that advise they can protect you or cure coronavirus - these will not help and are just designed to take your money
• Mobile phone applications that claim to give you updates on the virus but instead, they lock your phone and demand a ransom
• Calls from people purporting to be from your bank, or from the police, asking for your bank details over the phone
• People offering to do you’re shopping or collecting medication and asking for money upfront and then disappearing

To avoid becoming a victim of a scam, we’ve please follow our tips and advice below:

• Be cautious and listen to your instincts. Don’t be afraid to hang up, bin it, delete it or shut the door
• Take your time; don’t be rushed
• If someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious of requests for money up front. Check with family and friends before accepting offers of helps if you are unsure
• If you are online, be aware of fake news and use trusted sources such as .gov.uk or NHS.uk websites. Make sure you type the addresses in and don’t click on links in emails
• Only purchase goods from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information
• Know who you’re dealing with - if you need help, talk to someone you know or get in touch with your local Council on the numbers below
• Protect your financial information, especially from people you don’t know. Never give your bank card or PIN to a stranger

We know it can be difficult to know who to trust, and we hope this information helps you to feel more informed and more able to protect yourself against these types of scams.

If you’re online or have a mobile phone Facebook Community groups and WhatsApp groups can be great ways of staying in touch with those around you.