Dallas – A recent phone call scam is targeting the Dallas County elderly community. The Parkland Health Call Center has received numerous phone from elderly patients who say they have received calls from a Parkland phone number. The caller states they are in the neighborhood to offer a home healthcare checkup for only $50.
The Dallas County Hospital District Police Department has been made aware of the scam and advises that no one should open their door to unexpected visitors claiming to be a Parkland employee. Of note, Parkland employees will never ask patients for cash in their homes. Police advise community members to call 911 if anyone feels unsafe or threatened by unexpected visitors.
The scammers are spoofing Parkland numbers making it appear that these calls are coming from Parkland when they are not. Parkland officials emphasize the importance of not giving out personal information like date of birth or credit card or Social Security numbers to anyone over the phone. Fraudulent callers typically steal a person’s identity by making up stories to try to obtain their name, Social Security number (SSN), or financial information.
A legitimate entity, such as Parkland Health will always respect the desire for privacy and security. If anyone ever doubts the validity of a phone call, say you would like to call the person back and ask for their direct number. This will usually prompt a scammer to get flustered and hang up.
To reach the Dallas County Hospital District Police Department Non-Emergency Communications Dispatch Center, please call 469-419-7777.
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