TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt Friday warned Kansans about a new scam targeting senior citizens offering “free emergency medical alert” devices.
In the past week, dozens of Kansans have reported to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division that they have received recorded calls from “John” who claims to be with “Medical Alert” telling them they can receive a free medical alert device, and they just need to press 1 to confirm their shipping information. Consumers who press 1 are connected with a live telemarketer who offers them the “free” device, but then asks for a credit card number to cover shipping or monitoring fees.
We’ve heard that several of those calls were made here in Hutchinson including one to the Eagle Media Center. Some local residents tell us they’ve been called twice in the past week with these calls.
Schmidt said his office is investigating. Consumers who have received such calls are encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office online at ag.ks.gov or call 1-800-432-2310 to request a complaint form.