Authorities are warning residents to be mindful of scammers trying to exploit the current global pandemic.
Communities across the state have reported people going door to door posing as “mobile health care workers” and offering to sell coronavirus testing. The New Salem Police Department took to Facebook on Saturday to advise residents there are no government agencies or approved private companies providing this type of service.
The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in September, suggests everyone be on alert for people donning white medical coats, armed with what resemble medical kits.
“There have been some variations on this particular scam involving reports of phone calls and people in shopping areas offering testing,” the New Salem Police Department’s post reads. “To be safe, seek health care and health screenings only from appropriate, established medical centers such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, urgent care clinics, etc.”
The post also urges people not to allow these scammers into their homes and to call the police immediately. The post stated there were no reports of this scam occurring in New Salem.
Greenfield Police Chief Robert Haigh Jr. was unaware of any of these scams in his city, but he was not shocked to learn they are out there.
“It wouldn’t surprise me that there’s people that want to take advantage of certain situations,” he said, adding that no one should ever provide personal information to anyone they don’t know and trust. “When in doubt, call us.”
Sunderland Police Chief Erik Demetropoulos was also not aware of any of these scams in his town, but he has heard stories from chiefs across the state, particularly in central Massachusetts. He said there is no state-sanctioned program in which strangers in white coats go door to door offering medical testing.
“It is absurd,” he said, mentioning an often-used phrase that greatly gained popularity after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “If you see something, say something.”
The people most vulnerable to COVID-19 are those ages 65 and older and those with serious pre-existing conditions, such as respiratory illness, diabetes and heart disease, and weakened immune systems. This has resulted in scammers targeting the elderly.
If someone in a white medical coat approaches your home, Demetropoulos advised to “close the door and call the police, and give us the best description possible.”
However, Demetropoulos was quick to say he hopes the public doesn’t fall into hysteria over this because “a lot of people drive white vans.”
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.