If you get an unexpected call saying you owe money for medical services, be wary. Reports of phony medical bills and collection departments are on the rise.
Receiving a call for a medical bill you don’t remember and needs to be paid immediately or you’ll be served has red flags written all over it.
The red flags are:
- Someone calls you out of the blue to say you owe a medical debt and can’t tell
you to whom you owe this money and/or when you received the services. - You search for the phone number online and it’s not registered to an official
business. - They call you and say that it is urgent to pay them over the phone.
- This is the first time you have heard of the debt and haven’t received previous
bills or collection letters. - You are being threatened with being served if you don’t pay immediately.
To avoid the medical debt scam, watch out for the red flags and don’t give in to scare tactics. If you are unsure or need further information, call the Missouri SMP at 1-888-515-6565.
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of a financial assistance award totaling $662,347 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Comments 29
I'm very pleased to hve this 889 number
Thank you .
I'm very pleased to hve this 888 number
Thank you .
Shirley Wells
Very good advice. Thanks!
Donna W
Thank you for the information. We always have to stay aware.
sandra
very good advice……
heads up information always good
Carlyn Webber
I received a suspect call today demanding payment for an unknown bill to which I demanded a mailed itemized bill which I was told was unavailable. I replied that no bill means no payment and hung up. The best way I knew to handle the call at the time. Thanks for the Info.
Brenda Morgan
Thanks for the information .
Norma Deen Juracsik
So many frauds on phones. Got call yesterday from PCH that I’d won millions. Knew it was frau when they said I’d have to pay a large insurance fee before they’d send me the check.
juanita church
Thank for the information
Eva Fox
Thank you for the heads-up information.
bhaddox
Very Helpul Informations
Paul Klos
Wha does SMP stand for?
Linda Crawford
Thanks very informative
Patty P
Thank you for a reminder about scam phone calls.
Barbara Cook
Excellent Information!!
Deborah Bell
Thank you so much for the information.
eric mosely
thanks
freddie foxx
thanks for the info
Myrna
Thanks for the info. Very good informative.
redie
glad for the data. thanks.
Beverly Moore
Thanks for the information.
M Turner
This information is a tremendous and valuable warning to all!!
Clifton Becton
Good information I speak from past experiences with scams. Thank You!
judy otey
thanks for the information
judy otey
thanks for the heads up
mrs hohlt
gotthe# use ur street smarts, saavy!?!
Robert England
Great to know.
Carol S
Thank you for the phone number and information. Good to have
Basso
Central Credit Control (aka Partners in Credit)