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GIANINA SCHWANECKE
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Masterton Medical is urging people to be vigilant after reports of a phone scam asking for bank account details in relation to an urgent procedure which must be paid in advance.
Over the weekend, general manager Robyn Wilson said she was contacted by a patient who had received a call shortly after 1am on Sunday morning from someone claiming to represent Masterton Medical.
“Someone is ringing people saying they are from Masterton Medical, advising they need an urgent procedure that must be paid for in advance and asking for bank account details.”
In this case, it was an urgent colonoscopy, which Wilson said they did not do – the early hour of the call alerted the patient to the fact it was a scam.
Wilson said it was terrible that someone was trying to take advantage of the uncertainty of covid-19.
“We hope that no one is caught by this scam and are saddened to hear it is happening.”
She said the scam was not to be confused with welfare checks the clinic had undertaken over the phone.
“We have been phoning our over-70s to check in with them during lockdown, just to see how they are doing, who is in their bubble and if they need anything.
“But this is a welfare check – there is no charge for this and we would not ask for bank account details.”
She suggested that anyone concerned about whether a phone call was legitimate, ask for the person’s name and offer to phone them back.
“Our staff will be more than happy to give you a name and either our number or an 0800 number.”
