Italian police and health ministry warn of SMS and email phishing scams

The Italian State Police issued an alert about fraudulent SMS messages that appear to come from the police, instructing recipients to call a listed “inspector” number. The messages aim to trick people—especially the elderly—into providing personal data or money. The Police stress that they never summon citizens via SMS and advise anyone receiving such messages not to call the numbers, not to reply, and to verify any communication through official police channels.

Separately, the Ministry of Health warned that a phishing campaign is circulating fake emails and SMS texts claiming to offer a renewal of the National Health Card. The messages contain links to counterfeit websites that mimic official ministry pages and request personal, financial, and health‑related information. The Ministry clarifies that it never sends links for card renewal and that the card is automatically renewed and mailed to citizens. Recipients are urged not to click any links, not to provide personal data, and to delete the messages, reporting them to the authorities.

Both agencies recommend reporting suspicious communications to emergency services (112) or the nearest police station and to preserve the messages for possible investigations.