Phone Scam Artists Use Maine COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments to Get Sensitive Information

Phone (News - Alert) scam artists are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and people's desperation to make appointments to receive the vaccine. In Maine, eligible residents over age 70 have reported receiving calls requesting private and sensitive information with regard to scheduling vaccination appointments.

According to the BoothBay Register, people should call only one number to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. The MaineHealth call center number, 1-877-780-7545, is the only legitimate number for scheduling appointments with MaineHealth-affiliated locations. If appointments are not available, the call center will return the call from the same number.

In a legitimate callback, agents will not request any sensitive information in order to schedule an appointment. That includes a full social security number, credit card or banking information or payment information of any kind. The scam callers have been requesting those details under the guise of scheduling an appointment.

“It's important for people to know that those scheduling an appointment will only be asked to verify date of birth and provide a mailing address/zip code,” said John Martins, a representative for LincolnHealth. “The call is intended to keep people informed as to where they are in the registration process.”

Martin said the callback script used by MaineHealth agents states that all scheduled appointments are confirmed appointments. No sensitive information or payment details will be requested by employees at the center.

For those residents concerned about whether a callback is legitimate or a scam, MaineHealth has provided a copy of the callback script. A legitimate call will proceed as follows:

“Hello, this is confirmation from MaineHealth that we have received your pre-registration. We are working as quickly as possible to schedule vaccination appointments for eligible residents over age 70. We appreciate your patience and will contact you in the order of your registration. Please note, no one from MaineHealth will ask for your full Social Security number or credit card information. If you have already scheduled your appointment, rest assured – it is confirmed.”

Mid Coast Hospital has also received reports of the phone scam and has issued a number of tips for those scheduling vaccination appointments as well as those who may have received an unsolicited call:

• If you have never been a patient at Mid Coast Hospital or Mid Coast Medical Group, are not currently scheduled for a medical procedure, or have not signed up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, it is unlikely that you would be receiving a call.
• If you are a Mid Coast Hospital or Mid Coast Medical Group patient and you are unsure as to why you would receive a call from Mid Coast, ask for the caller’s name, hospital department, and a direct phone number to call them back.
• If you believe that the call is a scam, hang up immediately.
• Do NOT provide any personal information if you receive one of these calls.

The Hospital reports that law enforcement as well as the FTC (News - Alert) have been alerted about the scam calls. Those receiving a questionable call are encouraged to write down as many details of the call as possible and report it to the local police.

Edited by Maurice Nagle