A national email scam posing as an official communication from the NHS is currently circulating, prompting a warning from Ifield Medical Practice and calls for public vigilance.
In a Facebook post, Ifield Medical Practice warned patients that the email is not genuine and has not been sent by the practice or NHS England. The message encourages recipients to click a button claiming to update their GP registration details and install e-signature software—but doing so could compromise personal data or lead to malicious software being installed.
“Please just delete the email without opening or you can report it if you wish to,” the practice advised, sharing a link to the official reporting platform: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk.
What Does the Scam Email Look Like?
The fake email, titled “Action Required: GP Register Update”, instructs recipients to:
- Click a button labeled “I don’t want to change my GP”
- Update their address records
- Download and install e-signature software to confirm their details
The instructions appear official, complete with NHS branding, but the practice and other health services stress that this is not a legitimate request.
The so-called software is described as being Windows and Mac compatible, but it may be designed to steal data or compromise devices.
What Should You Do?
- Do not click on any links or buttons in the email
- Do not download any software mentioned in the message
- Delete the email immediately
- If you’ve interacted with the email, report it and seek advice through Action Fraud
Official NHS Guidance
The NHS will never ask patients to download third-party software or update GP details through an unsolicited email. Any genuine requests will come through your local GP practice or secure NHS platforms such as the NHS App.
Patients are encouraged to remain alert to such scams, especially those targeting sensitive health and personal information.
Stay safe, and if in doubt, contact your GP directly for verification.
