Warning over calls from your GP surgery that are actually a scam

London: People are being warned about scam calls that seem to come from their GP surgery. These calls are designed to trick you into giving away your personal information. Fraud experts have noticed a rise in these calls, which often ask for sensitive details.

Apparently, these scams are linked to calls originating from China. Bryn Thompson from Phonely, an anti-fraud group, mentioned that legitimate GP surgeries will never ask for personal info like your NHS number over the phone.

If you get a call that seems fishy, just hang up. It’s best to call your GP directly using the number you find on their official website. You can also use call-blocking tools to stop these calls and report any suspicious ones to the authorities.

Phonely has raised the alarm after seeing a spike in these scam reports on their Who Called Me? platform, which gets tons of visitors daily. Users have shared their experiences, and some examples are pretty alarming.

One person reported a spam call asking them to update their GP details, noting that the second language used was Chinese. Another mentioned that the call started in Chinese, and when they called their GP, they found out there was no message for them.

Another user described a call where a Chinese voice claimed to be from their GP, offering options in both languages. After pressing 1, the call ended abruptly, and when they tried to call back, it was declined. Sounds super sketchy, right?

These scam calls usually feature a recorded message in English and Chinese, pushing people to press a number to continue. It seems like scammers are targeting those who might be anxious about their health or upcoming appointments.

To combat these scams, you can report them to Action Fraud in the UK. Just visit their website or give them a call. Also, consider adding your experience to Phonely’s Who Called Me? database to help warn others.