COMPUTER users in Worcestershire are being warned to be aware of a scam in which people are sent emails telling them they may have cancer.

The emails claim to be from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and are entitled ‘important blood analysis result’.

It is thought thousands of people may have been sent the hoax emails.

NICE – which is not involved in cancer diagnosis – is advising people that the NHS never sends this sort of confidential information via email and emails should be deleted without opening.

Clicking any links within the email could compromise a computer’s security.

NICE chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said: “This email is likely to cause distress to recipients since it advises that test results indicate they may have cancer.

“This malicious email is not from NICE, and we are currently investigating its origin.

“We take this matter very seriously and have reported it to the police.”

For more information visit nice.org.uk