Hamilton residents being targeted in COVID-19 test results scam

The city of Hamilton has issued a warning about a COVID-19 test results scam that is targeting residents.

City officials say the scam is text and phone-based and involves a request for money to access test results.

The city says residents should never provide financial information to receive their COVID-19 test results.

Results for COVID-19 tests done in the city of Hamilton are free and can be accessed by following the below instructions:

Testing at St. Joe’s Mountain site

• Sign up for the patient portal MyDovetale. MyDovetale will provide you with the quickest access to your test results. You will receive a notification as soon they become available and can print the results. If you need help, email mydovetale@stjoes.ca.
• Check the provincial online portal to get your COVID-19 test results. You will need your health card number to access these results. It may take up to seven days for your results to appear online.
• If the online portal indicates your test results are unavailable, contact your family doctor to ask if they can look up your result on Clinical Connect. Due to high volumes, lab results may take three to five days and sometimes more to appear on Clinical Connect.
• If you are unable to register for a MyDovetale account or you would like to receive a copy of your results via secure email, email us at hamiltoncovidtest@stjoes.ca. In your email, include your full name, date of birth, date of your test and daytime phone number where you can be reached. You may only request your own records. If you are requesting on behalf of others, you need to provide their daytime phone number or request they send their consent to hamiltoncovidtest@stjoes.ca, referencing your request. The city will not discuss your results over the phone.

Testing at HHS West End site

• Check the provincial online portal to get your COVID-19 test results. You will need your health card number to access these results. It may take up to seven days for your results to appear online.
• If the online portal indicates your test results are unavailable, contact your family doctor to ask if they can look up your result on Clinical Connect. Due to high volumes, lab results may take three to five days and sometimes more to appear on Clinical Connect.
• If you need a copy sent by mail or secure email, contact Hamilton Health Sciences Health Records Release of Information team:
  Phone: 905-521-2100
  Dial ext. 75133 if you have a January to June birthdate
  Dial ext. 75123 if you have a July to December birthdate
  Fax: 905-528-3828
  Email: releaseofinfo@hhsc.ca
• You will need to submit a Consent for Email Correspondence form and a Consent to Disclose Personal Health Information form to receive your test results. Access forms and read about what information you need to provide to receive test results.
  Provide a daytime phone number to reach you, as staff must contact you by phone to validate your identity prior to sending results. Allow up to two business days for a response. Health Records staff cannot discuss the content of your test results over the phone.
• The Release of Information Department is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday only.
• Continue to check for test results on the provincial online portal until results are updated. It may take up to seven days to receive test results for COVID-19.
• You will not be contacted by phone if your results are negative.
• COVID-19 tests are processed by Ontario’s Public Health Laboratory and uploaded into the online provincial portal. Hamilton Public Health Services does not have access to the results over and above what is on the online provincial portal.

If you were tested at a pharmacy or Ontario Health Pop-Up Assessment Centre:

• Check the provincial online portal to get your COVID-19 test results. You will need your health card number to access these results. It may take up to seven days for your results to appear online