SMS Text Messages from Government, Scam?

p00hsticks

bery_451 said:

Okay its best to post here which texts people are receiving.
My mate received this text:
"You registered as a clinically extremely vulnerable person."
Anyone received this sms txt and is it a scam and what you do with the text? My mate received no letter.

And had he actually registered online as extremely vulnerable ?

I believe some of the people who received 'shielding' letters from the NHS also got accompanying SMS texts if their phone number was known, and if they then registered online as the letter asked them to do they got an SMS acknowledment, but I'm not sure of the wording.

victor2

The government,  NHS etc, should not send messages with hyperlinks in them. Period.

It opens the door to criminals.

unforeseen

I had texts 3 days before I had the letter. I was in the first lot who have been shielding since 23/3/20
The are all from Coronavirus Service   07307810357.

Apart from the first one that told me I needed to shield, all the rest have just been advice on staying safe. 
ALL links in the texts are https://www.gov.uk/..........
I have never had one that says

"You registered as a clinically extremely vulnerable person."

Even though I have registered

kaMelo

bery_451 said:

bradders1983 said:

Thats perfectly legit then if thats all the link is.

Okay then why isnt the link https instead of http then?

the "s" means it's an encrypted connection, nothing else. It has no relevance to whether it's a genuine website or not.
Don't assume because it's "https" it's genuine or secure or anything other than it's an encrypted connection. Fraudsters take out fake websites looking very similar to real ones, use security certificates for that website and because people see a padlock or green address bar they assume it's safe and genuine,  actually nothing could be further from the truth.
Read the entire website address carefully, especially the ending  (eg. gov.uk or bbc.co.uk  or moneysavingexpert.com ) and make sure it's spelt correct. That is the single most important thing you can do.  
If it's a dodgy website it matters not whether the connection is encrypted or not, it's a dodgy website.

grumpyoldwoman

I've had two from the NHS Coronavirus Service, one telling me my condition means I am at high risk of severe illness if I catch coronavirus and to stay at home for 12 weeks, and the other to tell me I can open a window but not to go outside even to take rubbish to my bins. Both were headed UK_Gov. I also got a letter a few days later saying the same thing. The texts and the letter all had the link to the gov.uk form for registering as extremely vulnerable.

bery_451

This is the full text message:

GOV.UK coronavirus support: You registered as a clinically extremely vulnerable person. If you have not received a letter from the NHS or been in contact with your GP or hospital clinician, you should contact them to confirm whether you are considered clinically extremely vulnerable. If you meet the clinical criteria, your GP or clinician will be able to request that you be included.

If you need urgent support such as food or care, please contact your local council.

For the latest information visit gov.uk/coronavirus

This text implies that registration has already been done? If not how to register?

No letter has been received so far from NHS or Government regarding this.

GP has been contacted but GP saying they have nothing to do with this and recommend to get in touch with Government.

How does a GP register you?

Is this just a standard template text where everybody received this text message whether vulnerable or not or only vulnerable people receiving this txt message?

What is this Shielding and this requires registration too?

What the hell is going on?

victor2

Is the recipient of the text a vulnerable person? If so, the GP would surely be aware of any medical circumstances making him/her vulnerable. Could just be a wrong number was given for a different vulnerable person, in which case it can be ignored. AFAIK, that particular message only went out to people listed as vulnerable with the NHS, the standard one seems to have gone to everyone who has a mobile number registered with some NHS service.

bery_451

victor2 said:

Is the recipient of the text a vulnerable person? If so, the GP would surely be aware of any medical circumstances making him/her vulnerable. Could just be a wrong number was given for a different vulnerable person, in which case it can be ignored. AFAIK, that particular message only went out to people listed as vulnerable with the NHS, the standard one seems to have gone to everyone who has a mobile number registered with some NHS service.

Yes a vulnerable person. What is done next?

victor2

bery_451 said:

victor2 said:

Is the recipient of the text a vulnerable person? If so, the GP would surely be aware of any medical circumstances making him/her vulnerable. Could just be a wrong number was given for a different vulnerable person, in which case it can be ignored. AFAIK, that particular message only went out to people listed as vulnerable with the NHS, the standard one seems to have gone to everyone who has a mobile number registered with some NHS service.

Yes a vulnerable person. What is done next?

Supermarkets are supposedly receiving list of vulnerable people from the government and prioritizing delivery slots for them. The vulnerable person should also receive a letter clarifying they are classed as vulnerable. It looks like it is still difficult to get delivery slots, but all you can do is try to register with the supermarkets individually and see if there's any luck there.

Our DD did manage to get an account and delivery set up from Morrison's for an older disabled relative, who can now get a delivery slot and place an order.

p00hsticks

bery_451 said:

victor2 said:

Is the recipient of the text a vulnerable person? If so, the GP would surely be aware of any medical circumstances making him/her vulnerable. Could just be a wrong number was given for a different vulnerable person, in which case it can be ignored. AFAIK, that particular message only went out to people listed as vulnerable with the NHS, the standard one seems to have gone to everyone who has a mobile number registered with some NHS service.

Yes a vulnerable person. What is done next?

Assuming you are in England;

You need to detemine if they are classed as 'vulnerable' (e.g over 70, pregnant) or 'extremely vulnerable'.

If the latter (e.g people with severe respiratory disease, organ transplants or undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy) then you should have received a letter from NHS England telling you to shield for 12 weeks - that is, not to leave the house for any purpose other than to receive agreed medical treatments.

The letter also invited you to register on a website here, although the app doesnt appear to be available at present https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable

If you haven't received a letter but believe you should have done you can also register and the NHS will chekc if you were omitted from the original list and add you if necessary. 

More details on the criteria for being extremely vunerable and what to do if you are can be found here;

https://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