Fraudulent NHS breast screening email urges Western Isles women to send images and photos

A Scottish health board is urging people to be vigilant after a fraudulent email was sent to a patient claiming to be related to a recent breast screening appointment.

NHS Western Isles said the reported email purported to be from a healthcare professional and requested photographs or video recordings to be sent for assessment.

Information provided to NHS Western Isles confirms the email originated from a non-NHS email address.

The health board is assuring people that breast screening services do not contact patients using personal or non-NHS email addresses.

It added patients may be contacted by letter or telephone regarding breast screening appointments, results, or follow-up arrangements, but NHS staff would never ask patients to send photographs or videos by email.

NHS Western Isles said fraudsters often use health-related concerns to create a sense of urgency or anxiety, encouraging individuals to disclose personal information or provide images that could then be misused.

Anyone who is a recipient of such an email is being urged to pause, ask questions, and verify any communication that appears unusual or unexpected.

NHS Western Isles says if you receive an email claiming to be from an NHS service and you are uncertain about its authenticity:

Do not respond to the email.
Do not send any personal information, photographs or videos.
Do not click on any links or open any attachments.
Check the sender’s email address carefully.
Contact the relevant NHS service directly using a trusted telephone number to verify the communication.

Anyone who receives a suspicious email of this nature should report it and seek advice before responding.

NHS Western Isles has urged anyone who believes they may have shared personal information or images in response to a scam to contact Police Scotland on 101 and seek appropriate support and advice.

The health board added it takes patient confidentiality and information security extremely seriously and is working with relevant colleagues to review the incident and provide advice to the patient involved.