Heartless scammers target long Covid sufferer

A local resident is warning of a Covid exposure scam doing the rounds.

Ursula, an 82-year-old Cowes resident is currently recovering from long Covid and has spent the last four months battling the disease.

So when she received a text message on Friday June 10 from Medicare saying she had been exposed to Omicron, she panicked.

“I’ve been in hospital twice and have felt really sick on and off. I was just starting to feel better and thought, I don’t want to get sick again, and that’s why I followed the instructions so quickly.”

The text stated Ursula need to immediately get a PCR test and provided a link where she could order one.

As well as filling in her contact details, she had to put in her credit card for a $1.34 charge.

“I just assumed it was for postage,” Ursula said.

It was only afterwards that her suspicions started. She couldn’t work out where she would have been exposed to Omicron.

“I sat here thinking about it and because I’ve had long Covid, I hadn’t been anywhere.”

Her only outings were two medical appointments, where she hadn’t mixed with the public. “I started to get concerned,” Ursula admitted.

On Monday of the long weekend, she called Medicare.

“That’s when I found out it was a scam. They said they never send a text and would either email or call someone if they needed to contact them.”

Ursula immediate rang her bank’s head office.

Fortunately nothing had been taken from her account and the credit card was promptly cancelled.

Less than an hour after that, she received a call from the Medicare scammers.

“The man was very polite, asked me how I was feeling and said they hadn’t been able to process my payment. I was so annoyed with them, I just said, “I’m not interested” and hung up.”

She has since reported the scam to the Services Australia Fraud Hotline and told all her friends, and wants everyone to know about it, so no one else falls victim.

Scams

Other Covid scams include text messages saying you’ve been identified as eligible for a vaccine, or fake MyGov texts.

The government Scam Watch website advice is to not click on hyperlinks in text/social media messages or emails, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Always go directly to the website through your browser.

It also says never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for personal or financial details, even if they claim to be from a reputable organisation or government authority. Just press delete or hang up.

More at: www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/current-covid-19-coronavirus-scams.

Details of Covid scams are also available at: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/text-message-scam-for-free-covid-19-test-kit.

Local tests

Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said authorities were aware of the scam text messages.

"It’s disappointing that people are willing to take advantage of people during the midst of a pandemic,” Ms Child said. “I urge people to disregard such text messages and report them to Scamwatch.

“While we are still enduring a pandemic, combined with a severe influenza season and a prevalence of gastro and colds in our community, I encourage everyone to monitor for symptoms of Covid or flu and get tested if they show any – either by Rapid Antigen Test or a PCR test at Wonthaggi Hospital or Phillip Island Health Hub.

“If you have a positive RAT, report it as required,” continued Ms Child.

“If your RAT is negative, have a PCR test to rule out Covid and isolate until you get your PCR test result and don’t have symptoms to minimise the risk of illness spreading throughout our community.

“Also don’t forget to ensure your Covid vaccination is up-to-date and get your flu vaccination to give yourself the best protection against illness.

“Continue to sanitise your hands, avoid crowds and wear a mask indoors if you can’t maintain physical distancing from others.”