61°
This specific scam tells residents they have received free Medical Alert Systems to be installed in their homes. The caller on the other end will then ask for personal information, including a shipping address, which may be used for identity theft or other possible scams.
“With regard to this particular series of calls about ‘Medical Alert Systems’, people have every reason to be cautious,” Detective Bill Maloney of the Norwalk Police said. "There have been numerous 'Do Not Call' complaints about this particular telephone number around the country.”
Maloney added that a Norwalk resident was recently victimized by a similar scam, but likely a different company. He advises all residents to look into a company before doing business with it, and to never give out financial information to strangers over the phone.
Investigators found complaints of a similar scam to police in Stephenville, Texas. Stephenville Police warned their residents that a Caller ID system may identify the call as coming from a legitimate business.
Duff, who represents Norwalk and Darien, was himself contacted by the company in an apparent attempt to gain personal information for identity theft. In a snippet of the voice mail Duff released publicly, the caller claims that a system had “already been paid for,” but could not name the buyer.
“It is a sad fact that there is no shortage of people out there who looking to take advantage of others, particularly senior citizens,” Diff said in a press release. “This apparent scam targets seniors directly with promises of a ‘Free Medical Alert System’, something that sounds similar to a legitimate product often advertised on television.”
Residents who think they may be a victim of a scam, or who are contacted by a suspicious caller, can contact their home town’s police. Residents can reach the Norwalk Police Department at 203-854-3000 or the Darien Police Department at 203-662-5300.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
