Surprise police are issuing a warning after learning fake healthcare workers are targeting the elderly, knocking on doors and claiming to be from Banner Health. Police say the suspects say they are part of the Home Health program and that they need access to the resident’s home to “evaluate their condition and current pain medications.”
Authorities say in one incident, a female suspect reviewed the medications while the male suspect stayed in the hallway claiming he needed to take a phone call. When the female began asking for payment for their home health services, the resident became suspicious and the suspects left. One of the suspects was able to remove the victim’s cash and credit cards while the homeowner’s attention was on the other suspect. Police said neither suspect was wearing any type of uniform and had no form of identification or badge. The victims said the suspects left in a pickup.
Surprise Police remind residents not to allow people into their home who drop by unannounced and who lack proper identification.
Banner Health also says:
• Banner Home Health nurses will not show up at your home unannounced; all visits are pre-scheduled.
• Banner Home Health staff always wear Banner uniforms and carry proper photo identification.
• They will bring laptop computers etched with the Banner Health logo into the plastic covers