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A TEXT MESSAGE has been sent to a number of people across the country over the past week claiming to be from the HSE’s Covid-19 contact tracing team.
That message states that the recipient has been identified as having been in recent contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the Covid-19 coronavirus, or someone who is displaying symptoms.
It states: “Someone who came in contact with you tested positive or has shown symptoms for Covid-19 & recommends you self-isolate/get tested.”
A link is also attached to the message.
However, the public is advised not to click on the link in the message, as it is not from a trusted source such as the HSE, and that the HSE contact tracing teams are reaching out to close contacts of the virus via a phone call.
The message being sent to some members of the public appears as this:
The HSE has asked those who receive this message to not click the link, advising that the message should be deleted.
Separately, some people may receive a text message from the HSE confirming a date and time for testing, if they have been referred by their GP.
But that is simply a confirmation message following a referral.
A HSE spokesperson said: “Please do not click on links in suspicious texts or emails purporting to be from the HSE Covid-19 contact tracing team. You will be telephoned by the contact tracing team if you are listed as a close contact.
“Some people may receive a message from the HSE confirming a date and time for testing if they have been referred by their GP.”
Yesterday, Assistant Secretary General to the Department of An Taoiseach, Elizabeth Canavan said the government was aware of these messages in circulation and issued a similar warning to that issued by the HSE:
Don’t click on this link, delete the text immediately. You will not be contacted in this way as part of the contact tracing process, and at all times go to trusted information sources for information, your GP, the HSE, or Gov.ie.
Policing
In recent weeks, An Garda Síochána said it has become aware of bad actors who have orchestrated different types of scams associated with the coronavirus outbreak.
These include phone calls purporting to be from charities, and which request donations, as well as online phishing scams.
“An Garda Síochána continue to remind the public to beware of the possibility for fraudsters exploiting the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus both online or in person,” it said.
“The main types of scams include phishing, social engineering scams and fraudulent selling/trading.”
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There is a lot of false news and scaremongering being spread in Ireland at the moment about coronavirus. Here are some practical ways for you to assess whether the messages that you’re seeing – especially on WhatsApp – are true or not.
STOP, THINK AND CHECK
Look at where it’s coming from. Is it someone you know? Do they have a source for the information (e.g. the HSE website) or are they just saying that the information comes from someone they know? A lot of the false news being spread right now is from people claiming that messages from ‘a friend’ of theirs. Have a look yourself – do a quick Google search and see if the information is being reported elsewhere.
Secondly, get the whole story, not just a headline. A lot of these messages have got vague information (“all the doctors at this hospital are panicking”) and don’t mention specific details. This is often – but not always a sign – that it may not be accurate.
Finally, see how you feel after reading it. A lot of these false messages are designed to make people feel panicked. They’re deliberately manipulating your feelings to make you more likely to share it. If you feel panicked after reading something, check it out and see if it really is true.
TheJournal.ie’s FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out our Reader’s Guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here
Have you gotten a message on WhatsApp or Facebook or Twitter about coronavirus that you’re not sure about and want us to check it out? Message or mail us and we’ll look into debunking it. WhatsApp: 085 221 4696 or Email: answers@thejournal.ie
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Can I have my money back now
It’s like’…..burning your furniture – to keep warm!
Why are PwC saying this instead of IBRC and NAMA?
As property prices start to rise nama , ibrc start to dump property
Can someone explain why?
Dumping loans philip, not property. They’re Dumping the loans as they’re non-performing and want to get them off the balance sheet.
If they had the patience, they’d put arrangements in place to allow the properties to return to positive equity and then seek a sale, this recouping more of the tax payers money.
Unfortunately, they’ll sell the loans for a discount and allow the new purchasers to do this and net a tidy profit.
The article outlines that IBRC (IBROKE would probably be a better name) will offload € 15 billion in loans.
Yet the linked article tells us that IBROKE have already offloaded 90% of its loanbook, € 19.8 billion out of € 21.7 billion leaving just € 1.9 billion on hand.
This can only mean, if the previous article is correct, that it is NAMA that is offloading the majority of the loans.
Why the subterfuge?
Why make people think that this is some kind of joint enterprise when it is NAMA that is leading the charge?
Have the shiny suit brigade from the canal something to hide?
Given their obsession with secrecy it would not surprise me if they have, perhaps selling the loans to some preferred customer with an inside track at a serious discount.
The way things go it will all be wrapped up before we know anything, plus ça change.
Who in their right mind would buy this junk?
It might only be worth 30% of face value but if you buy it for 20% it’s a good deal. For the buyer anyway.
@ Irish Revolution
The Banks?
Hedge funds bought it. They will now sell off all the ghost estates etc at a lower price so people that have houses for sale at the min will eventually have to sell for half or take them off the market.
Fab house here in drogheda asking price €325. Hilarious. You could now nearly get a house for that on raglan road or ailsbury road!! So that house is realistically worth less than €150 really.
People and notions ha
What about Bank of Scotland selling on my mortgage & others in their Irish portfolio to a company called Tanager Ltd.
I’m in a tizzy all day because I don’t know what it means for us.
have your say