Sheffield councillors told to report Covid-19 testing scams

Councillor Angela Argenzio, member of the adult social care scrutiny committee, raised concern about scams related to coronavirus testing during a meeting this week.

She said she was worried about financial fraud but was also concerned about people being told they need to isolate when they do not.

Greg Fell, director for public health, said he was also aware of such scams and urged people to report these.

In the meeting, Coun Argenzio said: "Are we aware of any scams in terms of people ringing others posing as track and trace? There’s quite a bit of stuff circulating on social media so are there any clear messages from central government and the local authority in terms of how to recognise a genuine call?”

Ruth Granger, health protection manager, said they were working to prevent it, adding: “I completely agree in relation to the potential for people ringing others fraudulently and our comms team have for a long time been issuing guidance on what you will not be asked for. You will not be asked for your pin number or any financial information.

“I think it’s an ongoing message we have to reinforce because unfortunately as one of our colleagues says: ‘Where there is a crisis there is someone trying to scam and take advantage of it’. So I think it is a message we have to constantly reinforce about people not being asked for financial information as part of track and trace.

“Very early on we did have some concerns about that, we did a lot of additional comms around it.”

Mr Fell added: “I came across [a case where someone was told to self isolate as a scam] once in a very specific circumstance and we jumped on it quite quickly. I’d like to hear about it if people do hear about it because there will be lots of eyes and ears in all parts of Sheffield that will hear things I will never hear. So if that is happening I would really, really like to know."

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