CTSI warns of fraudulent phone calls targeting NHS workers
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is warning NHS staff about a telephone-based scam seeking to gain their banking details.
At the end of November, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a one-off pro-rated payment of £500 for NHS staff and social care workers in Scotland. In December, health service workers in Scotland reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be from the NHS asking for banking details to make the payment.
The CTSI is warning that these calls are entirely fraudulent, reinforcing that any payments are processed directly through NHS payroll or practitioner services and no worker will receive a call asking for personal and banking details.
Among the first instances of scammers targeting NHS workers specifically, the CTSI has said the scam is another example of “unscrupulous individuals” using the pandemic as a platform for defrauding the public.
CTSI Lead Officer Katherine Hart said: “The pandemic period has been extremely challenging for everyone, especially our brave NHS heroes fighting the virus on the frontline. I am nauseated by the endless depths that scammers go to defraud the public.
“I have witnessed and reported many different scams throughout the pandemic period, and this is among the worst. I cannot begin to understand the mental depravity required to even think of scamming NHS workers.
“I am also concerned that this scam may spread throughout the UK, like other active scams and advise healthcare workers throughout the UK to remain vigilant, and report all instances of it. Together we can work to increase intelligence on these scams, and minimise their impact.”
CTSI is advising people to report scams by contacting Action Fraud or Police Scotland for those in Scotland.
https://thiis.co.uk/ctsi-warns-of-fraudulent-phone-calls-targeting-nhs-workers/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/telephone.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/telephone-150x150.jpgNewsroomSector NewsThird SectorChartered Trading Standards Institute,CTSI,fraudulent phone calls,NHS staff,NHS staff scam,NHS workers,telephone scamThe Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is warning NHS staff about a telephone-based scam seeking to gain their banking details. At the end of November, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a one-off pro-rated payment of £500 for NHS staff and social care workers in Scotland. In December, health service...Sarah SarsbySarah Sarsbysarah@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine