The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued fresh guidance to adult social care providers following an increase in reports of people posing as inspectors to obtain sensitive information from staff.
In updated guidance, the regulator said it is investigating cases alongside the police after registered managers reported being contacted by individuals claiming to be conducting “telephone inspections”.
Some callers have requested bank account details from providers, the watchdog said.
The regulator stressed that genuine inspectors ‘will never ask for personal or provider bank details during an inspection’.
Providers have been urged to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the regulator before granting access to services or sharing information, such as checking for official identification badges featuring a photograph, a copy of the regulator’s warrant on the reverse and the signature of the chief executive in place on the date it was issued. Providers unsure about an inspector’s identity are advised to contact the regulator’s enquiries team before allowing access to their premises.
The guidance also covers contact by telephone and email, warning providers to be cautious if callers request information that the CQC should already hold, including details about registered managers.
It adds inspectors will not ask for personal staff information or financial details over the phone and that official emails should always end with the “@cqc.org.uk” domain.
The regulator is also reminding providers that specialist advisers accompanying inspection teams should be able to provide photographic identification and have a warrant letter available through the lead inspector.
The CQC said any provider with concerns about a visitor, phone call or email claiming to be from the regulator should contact its enquiries team on 03000 616161 to verify their identity.
