Covid-19 briefing note

Key messages

  • If you’re contacted as part of the Test, Trace, Protect programme, you’ll never be asked to give any financial information, bank details or passwords. Testing is free.
  • If you receive a call from a contact tracer in Wrexham, and you’re worried it might not be genuine, you can check by hanging up and calling us on 01978 292000.

By now, you’ve hopefully heard about ‘contact tracing’…and how it’s being used to help combat Covid-19 in Wales.

It’s a tried-and-tested method of controlling the spread of infectious diseases, and involves tracing people who’ve come into contact with an infected person, and advising them on what to do (e.g. get tested, self-isolate).

So if you’ve had a test, or been in contact with someone whose been confirmed as having Covid-19, you might get a call.

You can find out more on the Welsh Government website.

The contact tracing teams here in Wrexham are based within the council, and will be contacting people by phone over the coming months.

The Test, Trace, Protect programme is hugely important, and – if we all co-operate and do our bit – it will help us get through this pandemic.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

“Make sure any call is genuine”

Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for People, says: “The Test, Trace, Protect programme was introduced by Welsh Government on June 1, and as a council we’re heavily involved in the ‘tracing’ part in Wrexham.

“The tracing teams are made up of clinical and business leads, tracers and advisors, and if you come into contact with a known Covid-19 case, you might get a call.

“Unfortunately, there’s always the chance that scammers will try to take advantage, by pretending to be contact tracers.

“So – as with any phone call out of the blue – it’s important to be cautious, and be confident that the call is genuine.”

How will you know it’s us?

Criminals pretending to be contact tracers will ultimately be after one thing…access to your personal information, so they can scam you.

You can protect yourself by not giving away any of the following details (and if you’re asked for them, you’ll know it’s a scam).

Our contact tracers will NEVER:

  • Ask you to dial a premium rate number.
  • Ask you to make any type of payment.
  • Ask you for any bank account details.
  • Ask you for any passwords or pins, or to set up any passwords/pins whilst on the phone.
  • Ask you to purchase a product.
  • Ask you to download any software to your device.
  • Ask you to hand over control of your PC, smartphone or tablet.
  • Ask you to access any website that doesn’t belong to the NHS or Government.

Genuine contact tracers will NEVER ask you for these things.

Still not sure?

If you’re still not sure the call is genuine, you can hang up and call Wrexham Council’s main switchboard number – 01978 292000.

When you call us, we’ll ask you a few brief questions, including the name of the person who called you.

Your information will then be passed to the business manager in our Contact Tracing Service, who will call you back on the same day to verify the name of your contact tracer.

What’s the likelihood of being contacted?

It’s hard to say, but with contact tracing likely to remain in place for the next 18 months-or-so, there’s a real possibility that you, or people you know, will be contacted by us.

No charge in Wales for testing

We want to remind you that there is NO CHARGE in Wales for someone to be tested for Covid-19.

So if the person you’re speaking to asks you to pay a fee (we’ve heard reports of up to £500), be extra vigilant and don’t give out any bank details.

This is a FREE SERVICE, so if you’re asked to pay for a testing kit, you’ll know it’s a scam.

Some general advice on avoiding scams

Wrexham Trading Standards say you should never give personal information – such as bank details – to a cold caller, and never withdraw money if you’re asked to.

If someone tells you to do anything unusual, always stop to consider what you’re being asked to do.

Always talk to friends or family before taking a decision you may later regret.

For advice on scams, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

If you think you’ve been the victim of an attempted scam or fraud, you can report it online to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

LATEST INFO ON COVID-19

Be Scam aware and Wash your hands of Coronavirus Scams

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR