Montgomery County Residents Warned of Consumer Scam

Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Director Eric Friedman is warning county residents about a medical alert scam currently underway across the country, including Montgomery County.

According to the OCP, Montgomery County residents have reported receiving calls from what appears to be a local number. The scammer then states that the call is to schedule a delivery of a life alert system. When the victim tells the caller that they have not ordered the equipment, the scammer tells them that someone purchased it for them.

“When you are not sure of who is calling, the best thing is to just say no,” said Friedman.  “You should never give out your personal information unless you know the company, and have initiated the call.”

Here are some more tips from the OCP:

• Do not “press one” on your phone to talk to a live operator.
• Limit the amount of time you spend on the phone.  The longer you speak with the scammers, the more likely they are to get you to reveal personal information.
• Do not rely on caller ID.  Thieves know how to “spoof” telephone numbers making the call appear to be local.
• If you are unsure, call us for additional information.

You can contact the Office of Consumer Protection by calling 240.777.3636 or by email at ConsumerProtection@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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