Omicron notification. Advice please.

[SheffieldJane]

I have had an official looking NHS notification to say that I have been in contact with the Omicron variant of Covid. I have been ill with cold, sore throat and vomiting ( only water taken).

I have been offered a test. The email asked for all my details, then bank details. I paused here because they said my test would be free but the postage was 99 pence. I kind of smelled a rat. Is this the usual procedure or a scam?

My son has loads of tests available because of doing it daily for his work.

Would this be acceptable?

Do I notify anyone?

I am due to fly in 11 days.

I think the worst 24 hours of a very nasty bug has passed.

Do I need anti virals on 6 mgs of Prednisalone?

Glad if anyone can help from experience.

Thanks!

[yogabonnie]

if you have a test from your son take it! Don’t do the 99 pence one you never know You could still fly in 11 days without infecting others even if positive.

[SheffieldJane in reply to yogabonnie]

That is helpful. So we don’t need to notify anyone? Thanks Bonnie. 💖

[yogabonnie in reply to SheffieldJane]

I think... with so many home tests people dont notify. Perhaps there is a way but if it is not clear on a web site do not bother. Just rest and get well. I think everywhere they are counting Hospitalizations and not so much infection. GET WELL!!!! you have places to go and people to see. In the meantime I am in Sweden heading north on the train ! We are the ONLY ones masked!! xo

[Fudgethecat]

it’s a scam - had friends receive the same msg when they were perfectly well. It’s caused you to doubt it because you’re unwell but that’s a total coincidence. Ignore the msg but definitely take a test for your peace of mind. Hopefully it’s just a bug but even if it’s Covid you’ll still be ok to fly in 11 days. Hope you feel better soon and have a great holiday 😊

[Carriemetz in reply to Fudgethecat]

Yes it’s a scam - anything out of the blue that asks for yr bank details is a scam. My sister had this, but had some tests of her own, so luckily didn’t pay the 99p - took one, clear, cd find no way to report it anyway. As Fudge says, the fact u are unwell when u get the message is coincidence. Get well soon and Have a gd holiday!

[SheffieldJane in reply to Carriemetz]

I did that in the end and I’ve got it. That is why I wobbled, I think.

[Telian]

it’s a scam Jane. Do not enter any details whatsoever. I’d you’re worried speak to your doctor for treatment. 🌺

[SheffieldJane in reply to Telian]

I was just about to enter my bank details, then I thought hang on a minute, the NHS don’t imply that a free test is a bargain.

I am unwell so that added credence to it. Thanks Telian.

[Telian in reply to SheffieldJane]

These scams look so realistic. You’ll start to feel better soon. Don’t worry about anything just look forward to that amazing trip. Hope you’ve booked assistance!

[ClarkB in reply to SheffieldJane]

Scam. Never give bank details online or over the phone, even if they appear to be genuine. I’ve seen this one before. The scammers count on the ones feeling unwell to respond. The 99p trick is used for other scams, deliveries etc. Have a lovely time with family in Australia!

[Maisie1958]

sadly it’s a scam- they want your bank details 😡

Have a wonderful time in Oz x

[SheffieldJane in reply to Maisie1958]

Thanks Maisie, they almost had me but they got too excited about the free test.. The NHS don’t sound like that. Coincidentally, I have the symptoms.

[Maisie1958 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes, it’s very sneaky. A friend got one a while back and he had just found out an hour before a client he had been with had tested positive….he said he almost went along with it. I guess the scammers churn out so many of these texts they rely on coincidences to get people to reply.

Hope you feel better soon. All the best x

[Charlie1boy]

thanks for this post Jane. I had a similar notification by text, and smelled a rat straightaway - not least because I thought this type of follow up notification had ceased. Fortunately, I’ve had no symptoms at all.

Anyway, hope you feel a bit better soon and are able to get away.

Best wishes

Paddy

[SheffieldJane in reply to Charlie1boy]

Thanks Paddy. Glad to know my self preservation instincts are in tact. A long haul flight in 11 days and being refused boarding was a concern.

[Charlie1boy in reply to SheffieldJane]

wow! Are you off to Australia? Wherever, I just hope it goes well for you. After all your issues, you really deserve a break.

I think these scams are absolutely dreadful, as they can so easily catch you out. The latest lot are aimed at any payments that may be due as a result of the energy crisis. I know what I’d like to do with the perpetrators, but that’s unmentionable!!!

Good luck.

Paddy

[SheffieldJane in reply to Charlie1boy]

yes, to see my daughters and grandchildren. Haven’t had a holiday for nearly four years or seen one daughter and my eldest two grandchildren. I don’t know if it is terror or excitement that I am feeling - both, In turn I guess. Thanks. Xx

[Charlie1boy in reply to SheffieldJane]

what an exciting time for you!

Do hope it all goes well for you. Four years is a long time, and for sure you will see changes in your family.

Best wishes

Paddy

[powerwalk in reply to SheffieldJane]

thats just beyond exciting get yourself better, stop stressing if you can and enjoy every single minute!! And dont give the clowns any money!!!!🤑

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It’s a scam…..official request does not ask for payment. But by all means take a test - I’ve done that a couple of times when I’ve felt a bit “off” just for my own peace of mind….and reported result.

[SheffieldJane]

I have too but haven’t reported it anywhere. Is that just on the NHS website?

Just think of the admin involved in processing all those 99 pences for the NHS. I am more awake now. Thanks!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

NHS -yes for official notification - I’m still on ZOE app -so I report on there as well.

[Jigsawlass in reply to SheffieldJane]

When I test I dont notify NHS. I would if positive. I log all tests on the Zoe app though

[SheffieldJane in reply to Jigsawlass]

yes that’s a good point. I have signed up. Thanks.

[MrsNails]

Its a Scam Jane - l wrote up about fairly recently - there is No Contact Tracing now. But l can imagine how you felt especially with being unwell anyway.

The one l had was just before Theo’s Christening & just for a second l went into overdrive but as soon as l saw the 99p P&P l knew it was a scam!

Get Well Soon 🙏🏼

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[SheffieldJane in reply to MrsNails]

I got a phone-call from the anti-viral people. They are not giving them to me because I am down to 6 mgs of Pred. She had all my medical history. If I had still been on Tocilizumab, I would have got them automatically. I don’t think this is commonly known.

[Theziggy]

Its a scam, I got the same text

[Bcol]

Definitely a scam

[SheffieldJane]

This “ phone a friend” is pretty marvellous”. They will have to try harder to catch us napping. As Paddy says, it will be the energy crisis next. Fill in your bank details to get a grant.

[Rimmy]

Not in the UK as you know but in your place I would definitely have antivirals if you test positive and asap as they need to be taken as 'early' as possible for best impact. You want to also be as well as possible when you travel soon. My partner's father (anecdotal I know but interesting) was at his docs for other reasons and they tested him and found he was positive. - he had no symptoms to that point ! He is 87 has half a lung, a pacemaker and RA - on lots of medications and he had quite a mild case for only a few days - which they put down to his early taking of the antivirals.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Rimmy]

I don’t think they would give them to me Rimmy. Free is conditional. Thanks though. Xxxxx

[Koalajane]

it sounds like a scam to me

[piglette]

It seems some people have lost quite a lot of money on this particular scam. Once they have the bank details whammmmm.

[SheffieldJane in reply to piglette]

It looked official and surgeries are pushing us towards using mobiles for everything.

[piglette in reply to SheffieldJane]

I never gave my mobile number out to anyone but family. Now all and sundry force me to give it to them for security checking. A friend does not have a mobile phone, she is 80, but no phone, so no offer of the Covid vaccine, one MUST have a mobile and so we can get conned by the scammers. Grrrr.

[SheffieldJane in reply to piglette]

I honestly only keep mine for the doctor.

[piglette in reply to SheffieldJane]

I would not be able to use my bank, insurance or pensions companies plus several suppliers if I did not have a mobile phone as they insist on having one to send you that code system they all now seem to use.

[SheffieldJane in reply to piglette]

That’s true. PayPal send a code.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Don't touch it with a barge pole. They aren't testing - how would they know? As soon as bank details are mentioned it is confirmation it is a scam ...

And actually - I'm fairly sure there was a recent post about it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRpro]

And a PS - what was the email address? The NHS is NHS.net - not dot anything else.

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

I deleted it after listening to everyone and waking up a bit. The content was very convincing.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

They are - I was scammed right royally last week and all the time I knew it wasn't right but it was all so convincing. Paypal have been great though.

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

PayPal are particularly good and businesses are keen to keep on the right side of them.

[Jigsawlass]

It's a scam !

[altywhite]

Well, as everyone has said, it's a scam. I had a text message with a similar theme. Hope you feel better soon Jane anx have a wonderful holiday with the family. Linda xx

[SheffieldJane in reply to altywhite]

thanks so much! X

[altywhite]

Also Jane, on the subject of antivirals....and i am on 5mg...I could have had them when I tested positive a couple of months ago. I declined them as I had tested positive 4 days earlier and just felt like I had a bad head cold. I did end up with a chest infection, probably unrelated?, but have been fine. x

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks altywhite, that is reassuring. I have tested positive for Covid as has my husband. I have registered this on the NHS website, so I guess it’s up to them. I haven’t eaten for 2 days. I am wondering if the nausea is Adrenal related. I have observed sick day rules. Gosh it’s rotten.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Better now than in 2 weeks time! When were you first ill?

[altywhite in reply to SheffieldJane]

They should contact you but i think if you're going to have the anti virals you should start them within 5 days of your positive test. Hopefully you'll be on the up soon. Good luck with Snow White and the 7 dudes!! 😂 I'm sure you'll love it x

[SheffieldJane]

last Tuesday. Australia has a flu epidemic. They have booked us in to a live performance of Snow White and the 7 dudes, on the first day of the school holidays. Aargh!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

You'll be well clear of the bugs by then - hope the symptoms disappear as quickly. Oh dear - not sure I would be up for that ...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

All those snotty noses. 😃

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

They won't give you Covid though!!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

No only flu. 🤧

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Take your mask ...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

oh yes. I’ve got the proper ones for the flight.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

And treat the Dudes like the others on the plane ...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Hi Ho! 😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

And keep well away from Sneezy ...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Oh dear! Time for my painkillers. I am thinking Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mickey Titch. Other dudes.

[Maxgate2]

It’s a scam! I fell for it when my husband actually had Covid in July. The NHS Covid reporting line confirmed it was a scam, I contacted my bank and changed my cards. About two weeks later I had a call from my bank’s fraud department to tell me that there had been an unusual transaction on my account for £900. I was suspicious and asked to check his details. He was very understanding and gave me a number to ring. I th en trusted him and went to my computer and followed his instructions. Sadly, he was a clever fraudster and I ended up losing £900. I felt so stupid. Please be careful!

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks for the warning. They are crafty, odious, devils.

[Hidden]

Hello Sheffield Jane,

The bank details request sounds like a scam. Take the offer from your son. I hope you get better soon.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I did and I’ve got it. To those humming and hawing over the vaccine. Covid is horrible, chest full of razor blades, profound headache pain, vomiting, even water. I have had 5 vaccines. I don’t qualify for anti virals because I am on under 10 mgs of Pred.

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

I’m so sorry for you. It’s a pity about the anti-virals. Keep in contact with the doctor, it sounds very nasty. Big hug.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

I wouldn’t recommend it bluepuddy. 💖

[Hidden]

Don’t want it. Sounds horrible 👀. Hope you get well soon. ❤️

[Poshcards]

got to be a scam, as there is no way of knowing who has been in contact with you as no app anymore x

[SheffieldJane in reply to Poshcards]

I will not get sucked in again. We have to be super alert. Anyone who approaches you and wants money is bogus.