Robocall Medical Alert Systems

The FTC is warning consumers about illegal robocalls that pitch unwanted safety alert systems for older adults.

The calls disguise themselves as a local number. If you pick up, the pre-recorded call pitches a “free” safety alert system, or tells you someone ordered a system for you, and encourages you to “press one” to speak to an operator. If you press one, the operator will then ask for bank account information, credit card numbers, Medicare information, or other information. Consumers who gave their information were hit with $35 monthly subscription fees for the “free” alert system.

The best response to these robocalls? Just hang up — calls with a recorded sales message are illegal unless you’ve given written permission for the company to call you. Usually nothing good comes when the first step in a transaction is illegal.