Shielding service 03333050466 is this a scam?

[hellsbells99]

Just had a text about shielding from a different number than usual. It says UK Gov National Shielding Service & expect a call on the above number.
I have googled it and there is a mixed response on whether this is a scam.
Please can anyone advise?

[Bohomie]

I had a call from this number yesterday.
I am not vulnerable or shielding.
They asked if I'd received my letter, I said no.
He then said he must have wrong number then even though he knew my (unusual) name
I was suspicious.
Dh has asked me to call them again today once incase I should be isolating and not know.

[mimbleandlittlemy]

This is the genuine number - gp's surgery confirmed when I checked as I had had a call about my mother. They also say it is on who-called.co.uk:

who-called.co.uk/Number/03333050466

[Aragog]

These called me this morning, hence googling the number and landing here.

I am at risk, but not shielded. Never had a letter etc.
The rheumatology letter suggested I was at 2 points and shielding is at 3???

[LisaFitzgerald]

@JaneEliz1 This is definitely NOT a scam I can assure you.

[Wildlingyoumakemyheartsing]

I had a phone call two weeks ago. They didn't ask about banks or anything - mainly do you need help about deliveries. The texts had said shield but my dermatologists said 2 points rather than 3 so vulnerable. I've mostly followed the vulnerable group advice.

[Slowlybutsurelyshirley]

I'm currently working for the national shielding helpline as a call handler, and the number is correct and it's definitely not a scam.
(I have namechanged for this but am a long term poster if MN needs to check)

I'm a bit suprised to hear anyone's been asked about banks etc, unless they said something that indicated they might not be able to access money and the call handler felt they should follow it up?

Sometimes people are alone and tell us something's really wrong and we use initiative ie: I've organised help for someone's sick cat, and brought in the authorities to help someone suffering a miserable situation during lockdown.

Normally there's only a few questions and they're pretty basic - just trying to stop people falling through the net, gently advise vulnerable people who haven't realised that their shielding isn't keeping them safe if their other half/adult DC's are out and about all over the place, and help people who need to shield but haven't yet had a letter (some are still arriving)

I'm actually about to work now, but will come back later.

[Slowlybutsurelyshirley]

Thought it might help to explain that everyone getting these calls has appeared on an NHS list as having conditions that may make catching corona virus particularly problematic for them. Some have since been downgraded.

It's an automatic dallier connecting the call handler to the call recipient.

[PastMyBestBeforeDate]

@Slowlybutsurelyshirley this is why I am confused. I have medical conditions that put me firmly in the vulnerable list but none of them put me in the shielding group. Neither would my medications. One is common and the specialist nurse confirmed the other isn't problematic. I went through the documentation for the algorithm that's been run on the data and none of that seems to apply to me. My GP can't work it out either. I haven't had a letter. I couldn't prove it to work if they asked.

[AndOr]

And I have exactly zero medical conditions that would even put me in the slightly at risk group. I've not received a letter.

But this number has rung me about 20 times since last week (now blocked) and how they've started texting me.

I have no idea why they have my details.

[dementedpixie]

Have you not answered the phone and spoken to them? You could then explain that you dont need to make use of their service

[AndOr]

No I never thought of that
I answered answered the first couple of times and told them I had no health conditions and was sure why they were ringing me. After that I stopped answering.

[picklemewalnuts]

It's a relief that people are being rung- I'm worried that there are people who are afraid to go out, don't have help, and are quietly fading away.

[Slowlybutsurelyshirley]

Pastmybestbeforedate there are people who've had the letter who turned out not to need it, and people who haven't, who do. You've spoken to your GP and confirmed you don't need to shield, so if you get another call, just say you've spoken to your GP, and would like to be put on the 'don't call list' (you may be asked to verify your name and post code in case there's more than one 'Pastmybestbeforedate' in your area.)

AndOr you're getting the calls because your details are on an NHS list and no resolution has been registered on the list so you're going back round the system waiting for it to get resolved.
The simple answer if you're 100% sure it's a total mistake is to answer the call, and tell the handler you would just like to be marked as do not call again. But you'd be suprised how many are insistent there's no reason for them to have ever been on the list and a quick conversation and it's clear why.

It can seem a very blunt tool, but picklemewalnuts is spot on, and people in need of help are getting picked up through it, as well as people who are shielding for their or other's safety, but haven't realised there's a major flaw in their methods.

[PastMyBestBeforeDate]

@Slowlybutsurelyshirley my letter has turned up today! I do at least know now which hospital has generated it so I can maybe find out why.

[AndOr]

Slowlybutsurelyshirley I no longer receive their calls as I blocked them 2 weeks ago.

I'm more concerned about inaccuracies on my medical record which meant I ended up on the list in the first place, but my GP surgery couldn't be less interested so

[TheHobbitMum]

I'm shielding and that's the number I get calls from to check on my wellbeing. It's not a scam

[overbyte]

Please note: i found this on gov.uk
www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

This is not a scam and is the number of the COVID Shielding Service call centre

[08mums49]

I think michaelbaubles may be correct. Scammers can assume telephone numbers of bona fide organisations. The caller knew my name and both landline and mobile numbers but also wanted my email address so I could login. This doesn't suggest she was who she said she was. I think that is more likely to be a very disturbing data leak. I said thanks but needed no help and ended the call. Everyone should understand that all calls are suspicious. Take great care with your info.