Telephone [phone] Nhs

[maclarencat]

My mother who is 91 received a call from this number asking for address date of birth etc saying they were from NHS . She hung up but has now received a letter saying it is from NHS and saying that this is a trusted phone number and she is to call an 0800 number . Anyone know anything about this. I think it may be a scam

[dannyk13]

It is a letter from the NHS to those who are extremely vulnerable.It isn't a scam.

[Maydup]

Now that she has received the letter I think she is safe to call the number printed on it. But only that one.

[Mamyalynne]

It's genuine.

[dannyk13]

If she calls that 0800 number she will be invited to register as an extremely vulnerable person, which will allow her to get any assistance that she may require.

[vulcan42]

I would suspect a scam,how come they ask for an address and then send a letter?

[dannyk13]

Vulcan, the question re address and other questions are asked to verify that the person responding is the person who they consider vulnerable.I repeat it is not a scam.I had one which I responded to which as resulted in my name being on a list of vulnerable persons sent to my supermarket which allows me to bool priority slots.

[maclarencat]

Thank you are you sure it’s OK I worry as she has been scammed out of money twice before

[Mamyalynne]

//Q6: I have had a telephone call from somebody claiming to be from the National
Shielding Helpline. How do I know this is not a scam?
A6: While you are at home ‘shielding’ a government support service may contact you by letter, email
or telephone. This team is calling to understand your food and wellbeing support needs and will
always identify themselves with their name and as a representative of the National Shielding
Helpline.
To give you confidence, the number they’re calling from will register on your phone as 0333
3050466. It’s not a live telephone line, however if you call it you will get the following recorded
message:
“You were called today by the Shielding Helpline, sorry that we missed you, there is no need to call
us back as we will try again soon. Thank you goodbye”.
Additionally, for extra peace of mind early on in the call agents from this service will ask you to
confirm some details, for example your name and NHS number, to make sure they are speaking to
the person identified by the NHS as extremely clinically vulnerable / highest clinical risk of COVID19. They will never ask you for information like your National Insurance number or bank details. Your
local council may also be in touch.//

Source

https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/20200402-FAQs-Patients-vFINAL.pdf

[Patsy33]

It's so sad, that every time older people get a phone call like that, they are worried, suspicious. Can't blame them.

[Mamyalynne]

Understandable sadly.