Attorney General Greg Zoeller: Beware of Flu Kit Scam

Fraudulent Calls Violate Telephone Privacy Laws, Mislead Consumers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today issued a warning about a new scam that feeds on concerns about the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak.

Telephone solicitors reportedly have called Hoosiers in an effort to sell “mandatory swine flu kits,” claiming that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are requiring their purchase.

Such claims are false and fraudulent.  No level of government is requiring the purchase of a safety kit for the North American Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. Moreover, a medical diagnosis should be left to a medical professional. 

“Not only are these telephone solicitors cynically exploiting people’s fears in order to commit fraud, but they also may be violating Indiana’s telephone privacy laws.  Depending on who was contacted, this scam may violate Indiana’s Do Not Call statute; and if an unauthorized prerecorded message is used, it would violate Indiana’s Auto-Dialer statute as well.  In either event, consumers who receive such calls should keep the number, if possible, so that our office can investigate,” Zoeller said.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is encouraging Hoosiers to maintain good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands often, and avoiding those who might be ill.

The Attorney General issued the consumer advisory today, after county emergency management agencies notified the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) of the fraudulent calls to businesses in their communities.

“In outbreak situations, scam artists are often ready to take advantage of public concern,” Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Joe Wainscott said.  "People should be especially alert for solicitors who speak on behalf of state and federal agencies."

If you have been contacted by such a solicitor and have specific information, notify the Indiana Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-382-5516, or online at www.indianaconsumer.com.

The Attorney General and IDHS recommend that consumers consider the following when purchasing items over the telephone:

- Make a telephone purchase only when you have initiated the call.  Never send money or give out your credit card or bank account number to unfamiliar companies.

- Don't be rushed into a snap decision. Legitimate businesses understand that you want more information about their company and are happy to comply.  Never respond to an offer you don’t understand thoroughly.

- Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups.

- To reduce unwanted telephone solicitations, register for the Indiana Do Not Call list by visiting www.indianaconsumer.com and click on Telephone Privacy.

As of Friday, three confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) had been diagnosed in Indiana, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

Consumers with flu-related questions should click to www.IN.gov/flu for more information about the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. For other questions, citizens can call the ISDH Influenza A (H1N1) information line toll-free at (877) 826-0011 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. seven days a week.