Suffolk Trading Standards is urging people to be vigilant following reports of scam phone calls claiming to be from the NHS.
What is the scam?
People are receiving unexpected phone calls, often from a mobile number beginning with 07. A recorded message claims that a local GP surgery or healthcare practitioner is updating its records and asks the recipient to press a button to continue accessing services.
The message typically says:
“Our systems show your local practitioner is updating their registry. If you would like to keep attending your local practitioner, please press one to speak with a member of staff at the NHS to show you how to set up our new mobile app.”
While this may sound convincing, it is a scam. The NHS do not call you about the app!
Why you should be aware
As a family carer, you may help arrange healthcare appointments, order prescriptions, or support someone to use digital services such as the NHS App. Scammers often target people who may be concerned about losing access to healthcare services, creating unnecessary worry and pressure.
Older people, those living with dementia, learning disabilities, or other health conditions may be particularly vulnerable to these types of calls. If the person you care for receives a call like this, they may not realise it is fraudulent.
The facts
It’s important to remember:
- The NHS will not cold call you and ask you to press buttons to keep access to your GP surgery or other healthcare services.
- Scammers may try to obtain personal information, banking details, passwords, or security codes.
- Phone numbers can be “spoofed”, meaning a scam call can appear to come from a genuine-looking number.
- Criminals often create a sense of urgency to pressure people into acting quickly.
How to protect yourself and the person you care for
If you receive a suspicious call:
Don’t press any buttons
If you weren’t expecting the call, avoid interacting with any automated messages.
Hang up if you’re unsure
It’s always safest to end the call and verify the information independently.
Contact your GP surgery directly
If you’re concerned about changes to NHS services or the NHS App, contact your GP surgery using a trusted phone number that you already have.
Never share personal information
Do not give out passwords, security codes, bank details, or other personal information over the phone.
Talk about scams
Have conversations with family members, neighbours, friends, and the people you care for about common scams. Awareness is one of the best ways to stay safe.
What if you’ve already responded to the call?
Don’t panic. If you think you may have shared information with a scammer:
- Contact your bank immediately if you provided any financial information.
- Monitor your accounts for unusual activity.
- Report the incident to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime.
A reminder for carers
Family carers already have a lot on their minds. Scammers often rely on people being busy, worried, or distracted. Taking a moment to pause, verify information, and speak directly to trusted organisations can help protect both you and the person you support.
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. It’s always better to hang up and check than risk sharing personal information with a scammer.
Please consider sharing this information with family, friends, and the people you care for. Together, we can help keep our communities safe from fraud.
