Non-profits warn public about fraudulent telemarketing

TORONTO, April 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) and the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) are alerting the public about a fraudulent telemarketing company that is purporting to sell automated external defibrillators (AEDs), medical bracelets and/or medical emergency monitoring systems, while claiming to be "endorsed" by the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.

Neither HSF nor CDA are affiliated with this company or use telemarketing companies to sell products.

The charities have alerted police and Phone Busters about the reported incidents and encourage all people receiving phone calls to do the same. The calls are originating from Canada and the United States and are asking people to purchase items using their credit cards. The fraudulent sellers are calling themselves Senior Safety Alert, Senior Emergency Care or Senior Safe Alert. More information can be found at http://scam-detector.com/telephone-scams/senior-emergency-care

HSF and CDA ask the public to call Phone Busters (1-888-495-8501) if they receive a call from any of the companies named above. The Heart and Stroke Foundation head office in Ontario can be reached at 416-489-7111 or toll-free at 1-888-473-4636. The Canadian Diabetes Association's national office can be reached at 416-363-3373 or toll-free at 1-800-BANTING (226-8464).

If you are unsure about the validity of a fundraiser, please contact HSF, CDA or your local police department prior to making a donation. The Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Diabetes Association rely on the generosity of Canadian donors and extend their thanks to all those who support their missions.

SOURCE: Heart and Stroke Foundation

Teresa Roncon
Sr. Manager, Public Relations
[email protected]
416-937-5307

Katie Ostler
Communications Manager, Ontario
Canadian Diabetes Association
T: [phone] 
[email protected]