Global Rheumatology Alliance,

[GranAmie]

Has anyone else received an email via gmail from this group asking for responses to covid19 vaccs? I'm dubious as neither rheumatology services / departments here in N Ireland, nor GPs nor hospitals use email to contact patients or vice versa . Idon't want to bother overworked health service etc so won't respond till I see answers on her from admin or members. Thx

[charisma]

I was doing their weekly survey which ceased earlier this year. Not received an email since. Could be false. They have my email contact after all, but nothing sent to me on that topic you’re enquiring about. 🌸

[Lolabridge]

I was doing their previous survey and earlier today received a message saying that had ended and thanked me for taking part.At the end of the message it mentioned a new survey they will be running, “Covid-19 Vax survey” and look out for it.

So yes your message may well be genuine and not a scam at all. I haven’t received a request to participate yet but maybe I will soon.

[helixhelix in reply to Lolabridge]

I’ve received like that one too, as was doing their previous survey. Pasted in first para below, but as Lolabridge it only says there will be a future survey but doesn’t give a link to it yet.

“Dear Patients and Supporters of the Global Rheumatology Alliance,

As we are approaching the 1 year anniversary of the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance, we would like to express our gratitude for your participation and commitment to sharing your experiences of the pandemic with us. Thanks to your efforts the Patient Experience Survey is now CLOSED.

In the survey we reached 108 countries, all 50 US states, accumulating over 14,000 responses in just under 12 months.”

[sylvi]

Sounds like a scam to me. xxxx

[Linda-C]

I was sent a letter last year asking me if I would like to join a survey re COVID 19. This applied to all members in house old enough to agree. That was me and my son. Telephoned no and agreed but had to fill in forms of agreement. It was on behalf on ONS. To test for a year for the disease.

[LoneEra]

I would definitely not click any links in the email, or reply to it directly. I often write about cyber scams (I’m a financial journalist) and they are becoming more and more sophisticated - with sender email addresses spoofed and your personal social media information harvested to “spear phish” you.

If you want to take part in their next survey, which is due to be released soon, I would simply sign up via their website or social media - if they genuinely already have you on their database, this will be flagged at that point.

Here is their website: rheum-covid.org

If ever you are in doubt about an email, treat it as suspicious. That’s the best rule of thumb for staying safe xx

[Lolabridge]

I received the email invitation to take part in the Global Rheumatology Alliance Covid-Vax survey this morning.I’m sure it was genuine and have just completed it.

[helixhelix in reply to Lolabridge]

Me too.

[GranAmie]

Thanks, everybody ! xx