Publish date: 3 December 2024
NHS Informatics Merseyside has been made aware of a malicious email that has been sent to colleagues in several NHS Trusts.
The email, which may look similar to the example below, claims that your NHS Smartcard is due to expire and that you need to click the link to renew. This is not a legitimate email so do not click the link.
Please delete the message immediately. You should not reply or forward the message on.
If your Smartcard legitimately requires renewal, you will receive a prompt on your computer when inserting your Smartcard in the Smartcard reader. If you are unsure, please contact your IT Service Desk.
Beware of scam emails
Scam emails, such as the example above, are fraudulent messages that try to trick you into giving away personal, medical or financial information, or infect your device with malicious software, also called malware, to steal data.
These emails can be very convincing and may appear to come from a legitimate source, such as a person or organisation you know.
Please refer to our tips and guidance below on how to spot a scam email and report anything suspicious immediately to your IT Service Desk.
- IT will never ask for your password over email
- Check the sender email address, does it match the name?
- Urgency - does the email sound urgent in nature? This could mean that it is a scam!
- If you think it is a scam, don’t click any links, open any attachments or scan any QR codes
- Always refer third party organisations who want to connect to your PC to your IT Service Desk
- If in doubt, contact your IT Service Desk for advice
Read our guide on how to spot and protect yourself from scam emails.
Further information and support
If you are unsure whether an email/link/attachment is legitimate, please contact your IT Service Desk for guidance and support.
Please report anything suspicious immediately to your IT Service Desk.
Additional support, including hints and tips, can also be found on the Be Cyber Savvy website managed by the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership Cyber Security Group.
We thank you in advance for your support.