Emergency Medical Technician ALERT
The Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois in Rockford is warning of a scam targeting senior citizens.
Dennis Horton, Director of the local office says " We have been informed of phone calls being placed to elderly residents offering them lifetime EMT and ambulance services."
According to Horton the potential victims are told that for $398.25 they will never have to pay for ambulance service again. One Rockford resident who has fallen victim to this scam says the first question asked was whether or not they had family living with them. After that they were told to take advantage of this opportunity they must provide their checking account number and the routing number to their bank. When advised to contact their financial institution the victim found that the money had already been withdrawn.
Horton says, “the service, allegedly, is to be provided by EMT Medical”. However, he says we can find no ambulance service, operating in our service area, doing business under that name.” Also he adds “several calls to the “800” phone number provided have gone unanswered”. The number given to the victim is 800-981-7636.
The BBB advises if contacted the best course of action is to hang-up and under no circumstances should you provide any financial information to anyone contacting you by phone. If you have already received such a call and given out any information it’s recommended that you immediately contact your financial institution.
For further information contact the BBB at 815-963-2226.
