David N. Kirkman
Task Force Alert Chair
Asst Attorney General
Consumer Protection
NC Department of
Justice
P.O. Box 629
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-716-6000

North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services

State Health Department - Medical Voucher Scam

The Colorado Attorney General is warning his counterparts in other states that Colorado seniors are being called by scam artists posing as state health department officials. The callers contact public benefits recipients and assert that the state wants to deliver medical discount vouchers to them. The callers possess the consumer's name and address, the name of their banking institution and the routing number for that banking institution. They ask the consumer to "verify" their identity by reciting their checking account numbers. They call back repeatedly if the consumer does not provide the requested information.

According to the warning, background noise audible during the calls suggests a busy call center. The callers can be very rude and insistent.

Federal agencies have received similar complaints from consumers in several states, including TX, VA, PA and OK. In each case, the name used is of that state's Health Department while the content of the call is the same. No calls have been reported in NC yet.

******End of Alert******

Last updated on May 19, 2010