A WARNING has been issued about fake text messages claiming to be from the government’s coronavirus test and trace service, which asks people to submit financial details.

Dudley Council has issued the warning following reports of a text which takes people to an illicit website where they are asked to submit personal financial information which can then by used by scammers.

Anyone who receives a fake text should delete the message and not click on the link included, council bosses have advised.

Genuine text messages and emails for the test and trace service will come from the NHS and calls from 0300 013 5000 and the only website people will be asked to access is https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk.

Council bosses have stressed that at no point will people be asked for their bank details to pay for a test.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "At a time of national crisis, when a lot of people may already be feeling anxious and vulnerable, it’s sad to think criminals will try and capitalise on the situation.

"The test and trace service is new so people may not fully understand how it works yet. One thing to stress is that the genuine service will never ask for bank details or ask you to pay for a test. If you have any messages claiming that you should, please ignore and delete immediately."

Anyone who has received a fraudulent text message can report it to Dudley Council’s scams unit by calling 01384 818871 or emailing trading.standards@dudley.gov.uk