Augusta-based MaineGeneral Health is alerting Kennebec Valley residents of a phone scam designed to obtain credit card information.
The scam involves automated and non-automated phone calls, during which the caller, posing as MaineGeneral, offers to help with debt reduction or to pay hospital bills and then asks for the person's credit card information, the hospital said. The scam involves a caller ID manipulation technique known "spoofing," which disguises the caller's identity.
"MaineGeneral does not make automated phone calls regarding patient billing. However, MaineGeneral financial services does make outbound calls seeking payment on past-due bills," the hospital said.
MaineGeneral encouraged patients to contact the hospital if they suspect they are being contacted as part of the scam. The hospital said it has reported the scam to authorities.