Moray SNP News

PCR SCAM TEXTS CAUSING ALARM

Richard Lochhead was contacted by a very concerned Elgin constituent who had received an unsolicited text message which claimed to be from the NHS and stated that the person had been identified as being eligible to apply for a free PCR testing kit. The receiver was then asked to go to a website to request a pack.

Mr Lochhead raised these concerns with NHS Grampian, whose  Director for Public Health confirmed that all texts from NHS Test and Protect would come from a text with the title ‘NHS Scotland Test and Protect’ and would provide a reference number.  NHS Grampian therefore agreed that the text message received would appear to be a scam.

NHS Grampian have committed to increasing their communication with the public to raise awareness and encourage people to be vigilant.

Mr Lochhead said:

“I was very concerned to hear of this scam which is evidently causing significant concern for recipients.  I am grateful to my constituent for raising this issue and commend her vigilance.  It’s important that awareness is raised because it would be only too easy for scammers to capitalise from the pandemic, particularly if people were to receive the text message at a time when they were expecting communication from the NHS, for example if they knew themselves to be a close contact of someone who’d tested positive with Covid.

"I also welcome NHS Grampian’s swift commitment to raise awareness of the issue.”