ODH warns of health information scam

Submitted information

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is warning of a phone scam where callers posing as health department staff are asking for personal information that the department would never seek over the phone. The callers use Caller ID spoofing technology to make it appear that they are calling from a credible phone number, including from ODH and at least one Ohio local health department.

In addition to posing as ODH staff, some callers have said they are calling on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or a hospital or other healthcare provider.

The callers often have some personal information about the individuals they are calling, such as name, date of birth, address, and the name of the person’s physician.

Here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim of a phone scam:

• Those who get an inquiry from someone who says they represent a company or a government agency seeking personal information should hang up and find a phone number on the company’s or government agency’s website to call to verify the authenticity of the request.
• Never give out personal information, such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden name, passwords, or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if the person is at all suspicious.
• Use caution if pressured for information immediately.
• One can block the caller’s phone number to try to prevent follow up calls — although the caller may call back from a different phone number.
• File a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov/complaint.

Since this scam includes caller ID spoofing of a state agency, the Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating these calls.