Thousands of Casey residents receive COVID-19 texts urging them to get tested
Thousands of Casey residents have been bombarded with text messages from the State Government saying there are “positive COVID-19 cases” in the area. It comes as Australia’s consumer watchdog has warned about a covid scam text making the rounds.
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Casey residents have been bombarded with text messages from the State Government warning them COVID-19 cases have been reported in the area.
The text message, which was sent out on Wednesday from the Chief Health Officer to thousands of residents, urges them to get tested if they symptoms.
“Positive cases have been located in your area. If you have symptoms please get tested,” the text message said.
Dozens of residents have taken to Casey Facebook groups saying they were bombarded with messages.
“I had 10 of the same messages,” one resident wrote.
Another resident, who received the message four times, wrote it was a “scare mongering” ploy.
Several residents who don’t live in hot spots including areas such as Dingley, Monash and Whitehorse, also received the text message.
Gembrook state Liberal MP Brad Battin took to Twitter telling the State Government the messages were “scaring the crap out of people in Casey” after a resident received it three times.
“Sending this same message three times will create more fear. Please can you stop, and send an apology to people. They have enough to worry about with jobs and businesses going,” he said.
It comes after Australia’s consumer watchdog issued a statement on Wednesday warning residents to be vigilant after a new scam text message was found to be impersonating the government to conduct COVID-19 contact tracing.
The Leader is aware of dozens of Casey and Greater Dandenong residents who received the scam message on Wednesday.
The text message warns recipients that a possible COVID-19 case has been detected in their neighbourhood.
It then prompts the recipient to click on a map to find out “the most dangerous places to avoid tomorrow”.
A DHHS spokeswoman said it was important Victoria stayed on top of this virus.
“We urge people to get tested even if they have the mildest of symptoms,” the spokeswoman said.
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