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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

NHS Test and Trace email

82 replies

Lochandthistle · 30/09/2020 09:05

Sorry posting for traffic!

Has anybody else received a scam email from test and trace? Or received a legitimate email that could let me know what it says.

I believe the email i received is a scam but what to be completely sure before I leave the house!

Things that make me think its a scam!

1, Its only asking me to isolate until the 4th of October. I thought Isolation would be for 14 days
2, it was addressed to my maiden name and my last name was spelt wrong.
3, From the government website it states that the proper email will ask you to sign in and give your details. This email gives me a bunch of government website links but doesn’t ask me to do anything like this!

I would appreciate any help. I am pretty anxious and would not want to make anyone ill!

OP posts:

Original poster

Lochandthistle · 30/09/2020 12:15

What are peoples opinions of isolating of the back if this? Would they just isolate until when the email states?

OP posts:

RealityExistsInTheHumanMind · 30/09/2020 12:21

I would say it is in error.

An alternative that makes sense - but only you know if it is likely. Someone has deliberately given your details, as they know them, to a track and trace log in, in order to maliciously have you isolate.

StarCat2020 · 30/09/2020 12:22

My email address does feature my maiden name but is an old email address and one I haven’t used for ages
If you haven't used it for ages, how come you checked it?

Sorry I sound confrontational or sarcastic but I am not

zigaziga · 30/09/2020 12:26

They don't email you, they text you and then call you. Sounds like a scam.

But what if they don’t have your number? Plenty of places I’ve been to ask for contact details and an email address alone is sufficient.

Original poster

Lochandthistle · 30/09/2020 12:28

@StarCat2020 No thats ok. I haven’t given it to anybody in ages. I forgot i had it but the emails still pop up in my iphone emails as its still connected with some other newer ones as well

OP posts:

Original poster

Lochandthistle · 30/09/2020 12:31

I have tried to attach a screenshot of the beginning of the email. I hope thats allowed!

OP posts:

xtinak · 30/09/2020 12:32

If they don't have your number, then I think they would send you a different type of email than the one you received, one where you could give them your number.

Hokeywokey · 30/09/2020 12:35

I got a text with a link to give more of my details. I didn't get an isolation end date until I had given more details.

StarCat2020 · 30/09/2020 12:35

I forgot i had it but the emails still pop up in my iphone emails as its still connected with some other newer ones as well
OK, so nothing weird there then.

Did you get a reply to your Tweet yet?

Original poster

Lochandthistle · 30/09/2020 12:37

No reply yet!

OP posts:

StarCat2020 · 30/09/2020 12:40

No reply yet!
That is rubbish

HoneyBee03 · 30/09/2020 12:41

Are you registered with your GP under your maiden name and old email address? I only ask as I have been incredibly lazy and not updated my name with my surgery.

If I could easily isolate then I might for today in the hope I'd get a call, but if isolating is very difficult due to kids, work, etc. then I think it's understandable if you choose not to isolate off the back of an email that looks like an error.

xtinak · 30/09/2020 12:42

The email you have looks like one you would get after responding to the text with your details - it's like someone logged in and then entered your details instead of their own.

Original poster

Lochandthistle · 30/09/2020 12:46

Maybe thats the case and someone entered in the wrong email. As it already has an account number on there.

Doctors is in my married name now.

OP posts:

Mummatron3000 · 30/09/2020 12:47

Possibly the only information the test & protect team has was from the case you were in contact with, who gave your maiden name & was unsure how to spell it? Possibly they’ve been able to supply your email address too but not your phone no?
Isolation date would be 14 days from date of contact with positive case.

xtinak · 30/09/2020 12:52

Not sure I recommend this but it occurs to me that you could go to contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk enter your email and account ID and reset the password. I would be tempted, but I guess someone else's personal details could be in there.

Original poster

Lochandthistle · 30/09/2020 12:56

@xtinak I did do this. I attempted to log in with that account number and clicked forgotten password and it stated that if the account number is on their database I will receive a SMS or an email. I haven’t received anything yet and its been about half an hour.

‘

OP posts:

xtinak · 30/09/2020 13:00

Perhaps contact [email protected] (address on the website) and say that they appear to have your details but you have never logged into the service.

RenaissanceWren · 30/09/2020 13:23

It might be a real email intended for someone who really has the incorrect spelling of your maiden name (if it still looks like an actual name). Could you try sending an email asking about it to your email address, but replace your spelling with the incorrect one and see if you get a response?

Winterjoy · 30/09/2020 13:31

How will this system ever work if the contact can be based on an email address alone? If I tested positive and had to provide a list of my face to face contacts, I could easily be absolutely convinced that I'm giving the correct email address for that acquaintance I saw yesterday but give a slightly incorrect address in error.

When you make contact how much detail do T&T go into to check you are the right person - of course they can't disclose who the positive contact is but do they check your location etc. Is the questioning specific enough that it would come to light if you were the 'wrong' person due to an incorrect email address?

DizzyPigeon · 30/09/2020 13:35

How will this system ever work if the contact can be based on an email address alone?

I don't think it is. AFAIK is is based on the information given - which might be telephone /mobile or email.

The system might not work perfectly, and might not trace everyone - but a contact tracing system that is working imperfectly and getting in touch with most of the people they need to is surely better than no contact teaching system at all.

Like everything else we are doing to try to combat the virus. Nothing is 100%, but doing the best we can is better than not doing anything.

Original poster

Lochandthistle · 30/09/2020 13:40

I am now of the mind that this is a genuine email intended for someone else. Who has signed in and given their information and maybe input their email address incorrectly.

NHS website does state you will be asked sign in and give your details which I haven’t done.

Thank you for everyones advice. I will update if anyone ever gets back to me on twitter.

OP posts:

conkersarebonkers · 30/09/2020 13:44

If the email is a firstname.lastname@ type, then it's highly likely that a namesake has entered your email address by mistake. I have a firstname.lastname email and I get emails intended for other people very regularly.

I would try to get in touch with test & trace though to confirm the mix-up. I don't think the app people on Twitter will be able to help, as it's nothing to do with the app.

MinnieMD · 30/09/2020 13:48

The account ID does look like a genuine case number provided to those asked to isolate.
I did the training to work on T&T but ended up back to my old job before it launched and the ID number does look like those on the training pack.
If you’re unable to complete a survey based on the email you will be phoned within 24/48 hours of it not being completed.

xtinak · 30/09/2020 13:49

You could modify your email address with the 'misspelling' of your name in the body of the email and try using that to tell the intended recipient what happened?

I'm way to invested in this.

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