VALE residents are being urged to stay alert to a coronavirus contact tracing system scam.

Fraudsters have been reported as trying to use the current public health situation to their own benefit.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: “We’re urging people to be vigilant of scammers potentially trying to use the new Test, Trace, Protect system – introduced in Wales to help defeat the coronavirus – to defraud people.

MORE STORIES

Scam text says you will be fined for going outside

Barry man spearheads scam mail warning campaign

Tax credit claimants warned about scam emails

The new system asks those who receive positive tests for covid-19 for details of whom they had been in contact within the previous fortnight.

This allows those people to self-isolate and slow the spread of the virus.

Welsh Government contact tracers will ask for information on names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.

The spokesman said: “You won’t be asked for financial information or bank account details, PINs or passwords, or any other personal information.

“Contact tracers also won’t ask you to dial a premium rate phone number, to make a payment, to purchase anything, to download software or give them control of your device, or to access any non-official website.

They will never visit your home.

Detective inspector Nick Bellamy, of South Wales Police’s economic crime unit, said: “Unfortunately, heartless criminals are trying to use the current public health situation to their own benefit.

“It’s reprehensible that anyone should attempt to exploit the situation for their own financial gain, at the expense of those who are seeking to do the right thing.

“Contact tracing has been put in place by the Welsh Government to control the spread of this disease, and as part of that scheme you may be contacted by someone to ask you to self-isolate.

“I want everyone to be aware of the possibility criminals will try to exploit this by calling people and demanding financial information.

“Genuine contact tracers will never ask for this, or for payments – so please be vigilant and don’t ignore any suspicions you may have.

“I’d also invite everyone to share this advice with loved ones so that together we can beat the fraudsters.”

“If you have any doubts then you should not provide the information.”

Report fraud via Action Fraud.

You can also call police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Details on the Welsh Government’s contact tracing system can be found via https://gov.wales/contact-tracing-your-questions

Coronavirus tests can be booked via the UK Government website https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/test-type