Fake NHS text about an appointment or prescription charge
A text claims you owe a prescription charge or must confirm an appointment by paying a fee.
How this scam works
A text says your NHS appointment needs confirming, that you owe a prescription charge, or that you are due a refund from the NHS Business Services Authority. It asks you to click a link and enter your details.
The form asks for your name, date of birth, NHS number and card details. That combination is valuable: it is enough to attempt identity theft as well as card fraud.
The NHS does confirm appointments by text, but it never asks for payment or bank details by text. If you owe a prescription charge you pay at the pharmacy counter.
Warning signs
- Any NHS message asking for card or bank details
- A request for your NHS number through a link
- A threat of a penalty charge if you do not act today
- The web address is not nhs.uk
What to do
- Ring your GP surgery or hospital on the number you already have.
- Never enter card details from an NHS text.
- Forward the text to 7726 (free on all UK networks), then delete it.
If it has already happened to you
This happens to sensible, careful people every day. What matters now is acting quickly.
- Ring your bank if you entered card details.
- Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk.
- If you gave your NHS number and date of birth, check your credit file for applications you did not make.
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Check a messageLast updated 29 September 2026. Source: NHS.