Coronavirus scam text tells people they could have contracted covid-19

Fake message suggests people should get tested – but then steals personal information

A man sits on a bench looking at his mobile phone at night on Primrose Hill in London on April 18, 2020, during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

A text scam is trying to scare people into believing they could have contracted covid-19.

The false message tells them that they have been near someone who has shown symptoms for the disease and that they should get tested.

But if they are to follow the instructions in the message, the scam will actually just try to steal their personal information.

It is just the latest malicious, fake text to attempt to take advantage of fear and uncertainty around the coronavirus outbreak.

The new scam comes as a trial of the UK's contact tracing app continues on the Isle of Wight, ahead of a roll-out to the rest of the country expected in mid-May.

Bogus text messages seen by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) appear as though they were sent by an official source associated with the app, directing recipients to a website for more information.

But the link actually attempts to gain bank account and other personal identity details.

The scam text reads: "Someone who came in contact with you tested positive or has shown symptoms for Covid-19 & recommends you self-isolate/get tested."

"We have witnessed a surge in Covid-19-related scams since lockdown began," said Katherine Hart, CTSI lead officer.

"This evidence is yet another example of scammers modifying their campaigns as the situation develops.

"I am especially concerned that scams themed around the contact tracing app are already appearing, even though the official NHS app has only been released in a limited testing phase on the Isle of Wight.

"These texts are a way to steal personal data and may put the bank accounts of recipients at risk.

"If anyone receives texts or other kinds of messages like this, they should not click on any accompanying links, and report them to Action Fraud."

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recently said it had received more than 160,000 reports of suspicious emails within two weeks of launching a new scam-busting service, many of which were related to Covid-19.

Additional reporting by Press Association