Nova Scotia Health is advising the public of a new phone scam circulating, with the caller claiming to be from Public Health, the Department of Health or the Ministry of Health.

The scam involves an automated call (or “robo call”) with instructions to call back immediately at an out-of-province number (in many an Ottawa number, area code 613).

Nova Scotia Health advised recently of a similar scam, with a robocall claiming that the call recipient had been identified as a close contact.

Public Health does use automated calls to provide COVID-19 test results. If you are waiting for test results, you may receive an automated call. However, it will ask you to verify your identity with the last four digits of your health card and your birth date. You will not be asked to call a number back to provide additional personal information.

Source: Release