Non-profits warn of telemarketing scam

Neither the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) nor the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) are affiliated with a fraudulent telemarketing company or use telemarketing companies to sell automated external defibrillators, both organizations said.

HSF and CDA are alerting the public about a company they said is also attempting to sell medical bracelets and medical emergency monitoring systems, claiming to be endorsed by the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association, according to a news release.

Police and Phone Busters have been alerted 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 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, contact HSF, CDA or your local police department prior to making a donation.