The NHS has raised an urgent alarm regarding a risky new scam in which con artists pretend to be your NHS GP.
These deceptive calls, appearing with UK mobile numbers on screen, claim that individuals must update their GP records or face removal from their practice. However, the unsuspecting victims are then coerced into providing sensitive details like their address, NHS number, or bank information, which are exploited for identity theft and financial fraud.
Frequently, scammers pose as a specific GP surgery, tricking victims into a false sense of security. Limelight Health and Wellbeing Hub, a Manchester-based GP practice, is one of the facilities cautioning patients about this deceitful strategy.
Individuals receiving suspicious calls are advised to disconnect and contact the GP surgery directly using the official phone number listed.
The warning message states: “We are aware of recent scam calls where individuals falsely claim to be from our GP practice. In these calls, scammers may threaten to remove you from our practice list if you do not update your records over the phone, requesting personal information such as your address, NHS number, or bank details.”
Patients are reminded: “We will only call you from our official practice phone number. If uncertain, you can always hang up and dial us back using the number on our website. We will never demand your financial information. If unsure about a call’s authenticity, end the call and contact the practice directly. Report suspected fraud to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority.”
Similar fraudulent calls have also been reported in Scotland, with NHS Tayside advising patients to immediately disconnect and avoid clicking on any links.
Cybersecurity expert Javvad Malik from KnowBe4 explained that this scam tactic exploits authority, urgency, and emotion to prompt swift action from victims. He emphasized the importance of pausing and not trusting unsolicited calls demanding immediate responses, urging individuals never to disclose personal or payment details over the phone in response to inbound calls.