There is only one incident reported, but Pinehurst Police Chief Fred Hanauer is investigating a possible phone scam. The incident occurred on Tuesday.
Pinehurst Alderman Dan Mohon said that he received a call which the caller-ID on his telephone showed was from Baptist Hospital. After Mohon answered the telephone the caller spoke with an accent and began asking Mohon for his credit card information implying that there was interest owed. Mohon told the caller he had difficulty understanding him and asked to speak to someone who spoke English. The caller then hung up.
Mohon actually checked with an acquaintance who had worked at Baptist Hospital. That person confirmed that the number shown on his caller-ID was not assigned to the hospital when it was open.
Chief Hanauer indicates that scammers do have the ability to forge the location of their telephones to make it appear their call is coming from a local exchange. They may have chosen a hospital as a reputable business not realizing that Baptist Hospital in Orange has not been open for several months if the scam is originating from overseas. Caution is always recommended when anyone asks you for credit card information or money over the telephone.
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