Notts: Be wary of ‘health insurance’ email scam, warn Council

The European Health Insurance Card is free of charge and allows access to state healthcare in the European Union, including Switzerland, at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

Notts County Council’s Trading Standards team is aware of scam emails from a company with a Belgium address offering the insurance cards and asking for payment of £15.

This scam follows a warning last year about misleading websites offering passport and driving licence renewals or tax return services at a cost when it was an independent company providing just a form checking service.

Residents are reminded to use Government websites ending in gov.uk for driving licences, passport applications and tax return matters.

Coun Glynn Gilfoyle, chair of the county council’s Community Safety Committee, said: “Scammers are continually thinking of new ways of swindling people out of money and this email offer is typical of current scams that we are aware of. “

“These scams give the impression that they are offering a service at a cost, which is either free anyway, only includes a form checking service or at worst offers nothing at all.

“People need to be mindful when travelling across Europe that they are covered for free or reduced state health care by possessing a European Health Insurance Card.”

People can apply for the health insurance card by calling 0300 3301350 or visiting www.nhs.uk

To report scams contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.