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SCAM ALERT: Unidentified Caller Asks Local Residents to Provide Bank Account Information to Insure Continued Paramedic Coverage

(Boise, ID) - Ada County Paramedics have learned about a potential telephone scam that may be making its way around the Treasure Valley.

Today, a suspicious caller asked an elderly Ada County woman to supply her bank account information over the phone. The caller said if she did not provide the information, she would no longer be eligible to receive emergency medical services.

Ada County Paramedics want to make it VERY CLEAR that they do not telemarket in any circumstance. Ada County residents should know that emergency medical services are NEVER withheld based on a person's ability to pay for paramedic services.

In a similar telephone scam that recently surfaced in the San Antonio, Texas area, a telemarketer called unsuspecting victims selling $300 EMT cards. The telemarketer told victims that fire and paramedic personnel would no longer be able to respond to emergencies at their home if they didn't buy the card.

This is EXTREMELY troubling given the fact that Ada County Paramedics plan to launch a new membership program next week that will drastically reduce medical costs associated with ambulance transports and emergency medical services. HOWEVER, Ada County Paramedics WILL NOT telemarket to solicit program membership and membership is not required to receive service. The enrollment process for this new program WILL ONLY BEGIN WHEN INTERESTED ADA COUNTY RESIDENTS INITIATE THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS THEMSELVES. Ada County Paramedics will never use 'cold-call' telemarketing practices for the program.

Anyone who thinks they may have been the victim of a telemarketing scam should contact the Attorney General's Office as well as the Better Business Bureau. Remember, it is NEVER a good idea to provide bank account or credit card information to anyone you do not know.