PNP warns against hospital bill scam

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine National Police warns the public against hospital bill scams targeting relatives of confined patients.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo reported that the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) recorded roughly 19 cases relating to this crime.  

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Fajardo said the hospital bill scam starts with scammers introducing themselves as hospital staff via SMS.

The scammers update the relatives about their hospital bills.

Next, they ask the victims to settle a specific amount via e-wallet or bank transfer.

The spokesperson said the scammers would promise victims a substantial discount after they settled the bill.

Then, the relatives would no longer be able to contact the supposed hospital staff.

Fajardo said the PNP-ACG is investigating the possibility that the scammers may have accomplices in the hospital.

“Isa ‘yan sa talagang kailangang imbestigahan na how come na nakakuha sila ng mga numero ng mga kaanak ng mga biktima na naka-confine? Alam nila kung sino ang kukontakin.” 

(That’s one of the things that really needs to be investigated. How did the scammers get the number of the relatives of the confined victims? They know who to contact.)

“Hindi naman basta-basta ibinigay yan,” Fajardo pointed out.

“Binibigay ‘yan normally doon sa mga staff ng hospital. Without putting blame on anyone, alam natin ang mga kriminal.”

(Information is not easily given. That is normally given to the hospital staff. Without putting blame on anyone, we know criminals.)

The PNP spokesperson reminded the public always to pay at the hospital billing department directly.