The NHS has raised an urgent alarm regarding a risky new scam where con artists pretend to be your NHS GP.
These deceptive calls, appearing with a UK mobile number, inform recipients that they must update their GP records or face removal from their practice.
However, unsuspecting individuals are then coerced into divulging sensitive details such as their address, NHS number, or bank information, which are then exploited for identity theft and financial fraud.
Frequently, scammers pose as a specific GP surgery to deceive victims into a false sense of security.
The Limelight Health and Wellbeing Hub, a Manchester-based GP practice, is one of the facilities cautioning patients about this deceitful scheme.
Individuals who receive suspicious calls are advised to disconnect and dial the GP surgery back using the official telephone number listed.
A warning message states: “We have been alerted to recent scam calls where individuals falsely claim to represent our GP practice.
“In these calls, scammers might threaten removal from the practice list if personal information such as your address, NHS number, or bank details is not provided.”
Patients are reminded: “We will only contact you from our official practice phone number — if unsure, feel free to hang up and call us back using the number on our website.
“We will never threaten to remove you from our patient list over the phone unless a breach of our policy occurs, and never due to lack of information sharing.
“We will never request your financial details. If unsure about a call’s authenticity, end the call and contact the practice directly. Report any suspected fraud to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority.”
Similar fraudulent phone calls are also being reported in Scotland, where NHS Tayside advises patients to immediately disconnect and avoid clicking on any links.
Cybersecurity expert Javvad Malik from KnowBe4 explained that this type of scam is successful because it leverages authority, urgency, and emotion – three triggers aimed at prompting victims to act impulsively.
Malik added: “The mention of ‘GP records’ sounds legitimate, and when busy, one’s instinct is often compliance rather than skepticism.
“Take a moment and never trust an unsolicited call demanding immediate action. And under no circumstances should personal or payment details be shared over the phone in response to an inbound call.”