Beware scam NHS email urging recipients to order Omicron PCR test.

ByCraig Haley

A scam email claiming to come from the NHS is urging recipients to order a free Omicron PCR test in order to avoid restrictions in the UK.

SCAM
Type of Scam: Phishing Email
Attack Type: Link to Phishing Website
Social Engineering Technique: Purchase of medical tests to avoid COVID restrictions.

Many examples of this scam email contain the headline “Apply now for Omicron PCR test to avoid restrictions”

An example of the email can be seen below.

Apply now for Omicron PCR test to avoid restrictions
Get Your Free Omicron PCR today to avoid restrictions
NHS scientists have warned that the new Covid variant Omicron spreads rapidly, can be transmitted between fully vaccinated people, and makes jabs less effective.However, as the new covid variant (Omicron)has quickly become apparent, we have had to make new test kits as the new variant appears dormant in the original test kits.
What happen if you decline a COVID-19 Omicron test?
In this situation, we warned that testing is in the best interests of themselves, friends, and family. People who do not consent or cannot agree to a COVID-19 test and refuse to undergo a swab must be isolated.
How to request a Free Omicron PCR test?
You can order your Omicorn pcr test via NHS portal by clicking the link below:
nhs-order-pcr/COVID-10-omicron-research/
What happen if you are positive?
If positive, they must isolate for 10 days and should be reported to Public Health England ””

The email is not from the NHS. It’s a phishing scam designed to lure recipients into clicking a link that leads to a spoof website that appears to be from the NHS website but actually belongs to criminals.

The email falsely claims that recipients must order an Omicron PCR test in order to avoid restrictions, and failure to do so will mean the recipient must be isolated. This is bogus.

The spoof website that recipients are directed to will attempt to trick recipients into entering their payment and financial details by claiming they need to pay for a delivery of an Omicron PCR test. These details will then be sent to the crooks.


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These payment details can then be used to commit identity fraud, access the recipient’s bank account or to target the recipient at a future date with more targeted scams.
 
PCR tests from the UK government are free, and the NHS will not ask you to pay for them.

Avoid these scams by…

  • Never clicking on links in unsolicited emails, since these can take you any where.
  • And if you do click a link, always check the web address to see if the address is legitimate. We have more information on how to differentiate between legitimate web address and spoof web addresses in our article here.