People across Wiltshire are being warned about a phone scam where fraudsters pose as the NHS to trick victims into sharing personal details.
The automated calls claim that patients must update their GP records or risk being removed from their doctor’s list. They appear to come from a UK mobile number, but they are not genuine.
Officials have confirmed the NHS does not contact patients by phone to demand updates, issue threats about being struck off a practice, or request any financial or personal details.
Javvad Malik, a cybersecurity expert at KnowBe4, said scams like these often play on trust and urgency.
“‘GP records’ sound legitimate, and when you’re busy, your instinct is to comply rather than challenge,” Malik said.
“Pause and never trust an unsolicited call demanding immediate action. And absolutely never share personal or payment details over the phone from an inbound call.”
Anyone who receives one of these calls is urged not to engage and to hang up immediately.
People should contact their GP directly using the number listed on the practice’s official website or appointment letters.
They are also being told not to click on any links or return calls to unknown numbers.
If someone has already responded, they should inform their GP practice and, if financial information was shared, contact their bank straight away.
It’s also advised to change any reused passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.
