Fraud Alert in Alabama: Two new twists in "free medical device" scam

Recently, new reports of a medical device scam have been surfacing in Alabama. Like a similar scam we’ve previously reported, these robocallers at times claim to be representing AARP.

These recent reports include two new twists to the “free medical device” scam. Some robocalls nowalso promise that you’re entitled to $3,000 in money-saving coupons. Others falsely claim that the free-device offer is being made on behalf of AARP. In both cases, the scam artists will ask for your personal information, including credit card or bank account numbers, over the phone. If given this information, they will steal from those accounts.

Please note: AARP does use robocalls to contact members to advocate for or against public policies, alert members about important community events, tele-forums, seek member opinion through automated surveys, and to acknowledge important membership milestones. However, AARP does not ask for personal information, conduct financial transactions, promote contests or other commercial activities over the phone.

Here’s what happens:

The robocalls urge recipients to press 1 to get their free device by providing their address and credit card, or press 5 to opt out from future calls and “alert your health care provider that you have refused the offer.”

But don’t do either. Pressing 1 puts you through to a live operator – and a hard sell with more scare tactics to get you to reveal your financial and personal information. Pressing 5 tells these crooks you have a working phone number that’s ripe for future nuisance calls.

What should you do?

Hang up, without pressing any key.

On this or other robocalls, don’t provide any personal information, including your name, address and birthdate. Certainly do not divulge financial accounts or Medicare and Social Security numbers.

Realize that displayed numbers are likely fake — easily done with Internet-based telephone systems or specialized software — but still report them and other Do Not Call
violations to ftc.gov/complaint or 1-888-382-1222.

Contact your phone-service provider to block robocall numbers. Don’t pay for this protection, though, because caller ID-displayed numbers are changed frequently.

Since this scam began in 2013, there’s no indication that anyone has ever received a free device, as promised. But after providing financial account information, consumers report getting billed for bogus monitoring services — and even threatened with lawsuits if they didn’t pay.

If you or someone you know have been scammed, notify your local police or sheriff's department immediately. And also contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Alabama Attorney General's office at 334-242-7335.