Durham Council Issues Warning Following Dentist Scam Reports

Durham County Council has issued a public warning regarding a social media scam that falsely advertises the opening of a new dental practice accepting NHS patients. The council’s trading standards team confirmed receiving five complaints concerning the purported new clinic in Shildon. Upon investigation, officers visited the location, which previously housed a legitimate dental surgery, and discovered it to be vacant. The local authority also noted that a website claiming to represent this new dental service has since been removed. This incident aligns with similar reports of dental scams observed across other regions of the country, including Norfolk, Essex, Suffolk, Devon, and Merseyside. According to Durham County Council, the deceptive posts, originating from a social media account named “The Dental Surgery,” featured images of a new waiting room and highlighted modern enhancements designed to complement the building’s 1800s architectural heritage. These posts indicated that the offer was available for a limited duration and urged individuals to contact the surgery promptly. They provided options for either calling the practice or registering online, where personal details and payment information could be requested. Jacqui Nicholson, 62, from County Durham, shared her experience of falling victim to a dental scam after a two-year wait for an NHS dentist. She stated that the fraudulent website was promoted by an individual she trusted on social media. Mrs. Nicholson paid £53 for each appointment, for both herself and her husband, and reported that the website displayed an NHS logo, offered pre-payment options, and provided detailed email confirmations. “It looked so real. I even Google Mapped it,” she said. “It’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake. Don’t fall for it.” Ian Harrison, the council’s business compliance manager, advised the public to exercise caution before disclosing private information or banking details. “The scammers will have been aware of reports of people being unable to find NHS dentists and there being a shortage of appointments and will have seen this as an opportunity to exploit people and part them from their money,” he added.