Phone Scam Alert – May 16, 2018

Lucas County Health Center (LCHC) would like to warn residents about a phone scam after several people have reported receiving “spoof” calls in the last week from someone stating they work for LCHC. Caller ID spoofing allows a person to display a phone number different than the actual number from which they are calling.

In this instance, someone has spoofed LCHC and is using an extension from within LCHC and claims they can relieve you of all your debt. LCHC would like to remind residents that they DO NOT handle debt relief or consolidation and that this is most likely a scam.

Past “spoof calls” from LCHC include setting you up with insurance, selling you insurance, and offering medical ID bracelets. LCHC does NOT work with any of these services either.

To ensure that you are not a victim of a scam call, please follow these tips from the Better Business Bureau.

  • Consider not answering unfamiliar numbers. If it is a legitimate call, they will leave a message with a number where you can call them back.
  • Don’t be pressured into making fast decisions. Take time to research the organization they claim to represent. This may include telling the caller you will call them back. After you hang up, research a correct phone number and call the business or organization they claim to represent to determine the legitimacy of the call.
  • Do not share personal and payment information over the telephone unless you initiated the conversation or confirmed the identity of the caller.

Questions and concerns may be directed to LCHC’s Marketing Manager at (641) 774-3219.