An investigation has been launched after a woman who had returned from a holiday received a flirty text from a government contact tracer sent to check she was isolating.
Charlotte Roffey, 27, was home alone after enjoying a break in Spain when the NHS Test and Trace employee used her details to see if she was single.
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched an investigation.
Charlotte, from Coldon Common, Hampshire, said: “I think it’s appalling that he used his power in a completely inappropriate way and it made me concerned for any other female in the same position.
“I had no one home and I felt uncomfortable that he has access to all my details. I feel uncomfortable in my own home and worry who is going to knock on the door next.
“It was instilled into me that I must stay at home and the consequences if I didn’t were a fine of up to £10,000.
Phone number
“To then have someone arrive on your doorstep with such disrespect or the rules and to illegally use my phone number, I can understand why the government is finding it so tough to enforce the rules and make people take things seriously.”
Charlotte went to Andratx, Majorca for a three-night mini-break on July 19, and before she landed back in Heathrow she completed a passenger locator form.
On this she supplied her name, age, telephone number and home address in order for a ‘contact tracer’ to visit periodically and check she was completing her mandatory 10-day isolation period.
Two days after getting back home, Charlotte received a knock on the door from a male Contact Tracer who she hadn’t met before, last Saturday (24/07).
She said: “He came to my door and we spoke for a while.
“He told me he had already marked me as at home on the system they use, but he had no uniform or badges that I was aware of.
“He didn’t seem flirty, just friendly but it didn’t feel professional at all, considering I had been anxious about someone coming to visit my home.”
Contract manager Charlotte also said that the man told her “tricks” to avoid being caught if she needed to leave the house during her isolation period.
Just minutes after he left, Charlotte got a text at 11:59am that said: “Hii ?
“Do I have the permission to save your number at all? Please ignore this if you don’t want that or have a husband or whatever lol.
“Apologies I asked.”
The horrified woman, who was home alone at the time, did not respond to the flirt but sent a screenshot to her partner William Machin, 29, who was out playing rugby.
“He was very angry,” she said.
“He was away at the time and wanted to confront the man but I encouraged him not to.
“The same man has since added me on social media networks including Facebook.”
Charlotte hasn’t reported the government employee’s inappropriate use of her personal details, but wants to share her story to make people more aware of how their data could be allegedly exploited.
She said: “I feel like people definitely need to be aware that this is happening as I’m sure this isn’t the first time but it’s completely unacceptable and unprofessional.
Vulnerable people
“It also plays down the system that the government has put in place.
“I think it’s important to share this story as it highlights people that are willing to use their power to their advantage.
“I am also worried for young woman or vulnerable people that may be naïve.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We take complaints about NHS Test and Trace contact tracers extremely seriously and they will all be investigated and appropriate action taken.
“The government expects all of our operatives to behave in a professional manner at all times and if people are not happy with the service – either the phone checks or in-person visits – you can complain to NHS Test and Trace online or telephone 119.”
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