Scam call impersonating Utah health officials, targets the elderly

SALT LAKE CITY —  The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has issued a formal warning after getting reports of a scam call targeting older Utahns. The DHHS said the scam involved calls from people impersonating health officials.

According to the DHHS, the imposters claim to be DHHS employees and use the calls to dig for sensitive information, like social security numbers.

“We will not ask for your social security number, your Medicare number, your age, and your full name. All of those things together would allow somebody to commit identity fraud,” said DHHS Spokesman Joe Dougherty.

Other times, scammers might even try to sell a product or service.

Either of these things is a dead giveaway, Dougherty said.

“The government will not call you to promote debt relief, businesses, charities, free trials, loans, prizes, or travel for purchase.”

Utah officials said the best response to a scam call is to hang up immediately.

This doesn’t mean Utah’s health officials will never call. Dougherty said the DHHS will cold-call Utahns if there is a disease outbreak or as part of an official survey.

He added that the officials will clearly identify themselves at the beginning of the call and recipients of the call can, and should, ask for verification.

However, if they feel suspicious at all of the intent behind the call, Dougherty said Utahns should not hesitate to hang up.

Related: 

• Salt Lake City police warn residents of recent phone scam
• Odometer-fraud ring busted. ‘It’s a horrible way to start your adult life’