Buyer beware! Or, more accurately, buyer, don’t buy when you receive an unsolicited phone call from someone trying to sell you medication! Recently, a consumer reported her experience with a costly online pharmacy scam to PharmacyChecker.com.
The site visitor, who received a phone call from a website she identified as RX-Refill (or, RXREFILL) wrote: “I was given a pretty good price; told to pay through Western Union; and make the payment out to a Steve G. Polero in Manila, Philippines 1001.”
She continues… “Gads, I should have known. I have since phoned Western Union and all they told me was that someone from Makati (just outside of Manila) picked up the money on December 10, 2012.” Unsurprisingly, this visitor still has not received her prescription refill! And if she had received her order, we would caution her that the drugs could very well be fake.
While in retrospect many of the signs point to don’t buy – what this consumer did is a common mistake. The website she used did not have a physical address posted; it’s phone number was connected to a location in the U.S. but the Western Union mailing address was in the Philippines. Also, the site that the scam phone caller claimed to be calling from did not have the PharmacyChecker.com Verification Seal or VIPPS certification: a red light.
There are many safe online pharmacy options, domestic and foreign – shop wisely by looking for trustworthy seals. Make sure to validate the seals by clicking on them to know that they are authentic, which means hosted by the organization issuing the seal.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as DEA special agents or other law enforcement personnel as part of an international extortion scheme.
Received phone call today from lady who claimed she was from BD Pharmacy and was checking to refill a prescription for topical pain med from my endocrinologist (who she correctly identified). I said I wasn’t using such a cream and asked her for the name of it. She couldn’t tell me the name and I told her not to send it because I was never on a topical prescription med for pain. I didn’t recognize the pharmacy either. Said the phone call was being recorded and was for training purposes. So maybe they got my message.
I’ve gotten those calls, too — but not for a long time. Sometimes they would say, “Do you want to refill your order for Valium?” And I say, I’ve never ordered Valium. Then they say, “Well, what about Xanax.” They just keep guessing and guessing, and hoping I’ll be a victim to fraud and a rogue pharmacy. Thanks for sharing that.
Do not use [DELTED ONLINE PHARMACY NAME] they scammed me out of 1000 and some odd dollars then threatned me that I was going to jail I was dumb please no-one else be
Hi Tracy – I have to edit out the name of the rogue site that scammed you. I’m sorry it happened! Please stick to verified online pharmacies. We’ll add it to our rogue website list after checking it out.
Yes I am dealing with that now I sent Western Union money then they keep calling saying they need 700 $ worth of iTunes gift cards. I said I can’t afford to just cancel order. They said they couldn’t and it’s on way and I need to come up with 700 fast or else. I’m scared what can they do to me?
I have received about 20 messages on my cell from a pharmacy asking me if i want to re-order; if I return the call, I SOMETIMES get a person.I told the second guy not to phone me again blah, blah, blah. Was told I would be taken off the list. (WHAT LIST???) Today I got through after five more messages were left and actually swore at the guy…and got a lecture! Some nerve! Anyway i told him that if it happened again he would be in big trouble…I would report the number etc.
Of course, I see now that it is just a scam …but bloody annoying!
My mother got call today wanting to send her medications, that they allegedly had a order from her doctor to refill. Had her correct doctor name
The name of the pharmacy is one 1st pharmacy allegedly in San Antonio. [PHONE NUMBER DELETED]
Got a call a few minutes ago from someone claiming to be from “the pharmacy.” I said which pharmacy. Guy repeated “the pharmacy” and started into his speil. I interrupted him again asking which pharmacy, there are millions. He said “exactly. We are The Pharmacy, we have a network…” I could hear the capitol letters in his voice. I clarified that his company is called The Pharmacy. I said “that’s bullshit” and hung up.
I have received about 20 plus calls in the last few days
They call and hang up except for on time
At that time they said push the number 3 to be removed from the list
That was a big mistake
Now I get calls from many different phone numbers all with the same area cdoes
I have been disturbed about 20 times in the last 3 days they call ad hang up
All but once the they said hit the 3 button on the phone
to be removed and that was a huge mistake
Now they call from various numbers with the same area code
I have received 2 called saying I qualify for a highly effective topical pain medication and they will work with my doctor to determine which is right for me. I told them I already received this call. He said “No, this is the first time we’ve called you”. Said he was from Pharmacy Services and asked about my insurance, which I would not share. I asked for a website. He said it was under construction. I’ve also been receiving weird hang up calls.
Hi Sherrin, That sounds incredibly frustrating. I would do your best to not answer and then block such numbers as they call.
I tried that, but it’s a different number each and every time. I’ve asked them multiple times to leave me alone, but it doesn’t help.
I have been getting calls daily and I tell them I never ordered anything and they know my name and everything. I tell them to take my name off the list and to stop calling , they say No and then hang up. 2 days later they call right back with the same bs.
513-725-1021 and others. There is like 15 different numbers but always 513 area code.
I get the same thing. I’ve pressed 2 to remove my number & now they call more. I’ve had 3 phone calls this morning within an hour & 10 minutes. I’m so very sick of their games. They also know my name & wanted me to reorder ‘diabetic “ medication. Oddly enough IM NOT A DIABETIC. NOTHING BUT SCAMMERS.
I asked her where she was calling from she said Florida. So, I asked her why my caller ID shows it as a local ohio number. I disconnected my home phone because of the only calls I got were telemarketing & scammers
I have the same problem in MT. I have told them to stop calling and the calls continue. How do you get them to stop?
I’ve been going through the same, same company name. When they started, I once got 13 calls from them in *one morning*! Different number each time. This time I pretended to be interested so I could ask a number of questions in order to report them.
They had my new address (when they first contacted me, I lived elsewhere) and email! I asked them how they got that information, they told me that I filled out a survey.
I refused to give out info, I asked for their Customer Service phone number.
Told me if my lawyer called her for harassment that she would just keep calling. How is this allowed. Her name was Alexis. Barely spoke good English.
I keep receiving calls on my cell from “pharmacy services” I put a block on the number, but sometimes within a few hours getting another call, but from a slightly different number, area code a prefix are the same every time, just the last 4 digits change.
I am receiving calls from Pharmacy Services always in Hudson, NY but different numbers. They seem to have some info about me that they claim came from a survey I took. What the survey told them is that I’m in pain and have dry skin. Neither is true – well the skin could probably use some lotion! They won’t give me info about them or tell me where the survey came from except that I submitted it online. The calls come several times a week. I block the numbers but they continue from other numbers but are all in Hudson, NY.
I got a call and was told to call back at for an update to 844-254-3086. The name they used looks like a reputable Pharmacy but I cannot locate that phone number nor any other phone number with that 844 area code that is tied with this particular Pharmacy. I am currently dealing with workman’s comp right now and I just can’t see them willingly setting me up with a 90 day supply of anything that takes me 5 weeks to get a 7 day supply. Can anyone tell me if that phone number is legit?
i keep recieving numbers from an 857 and i block them they call me from diff numbers using an 857 , is anyone else receiving them, such a pain !!
Phamacyservice keeps calling me 6-7 times a day always using same 470 552 1474 but never answers callback they keep changing last four numbers, they have bugged me everyday more than 40 times dont know how to stop them I block them and they keep calling with diffent last four numbers
They keep calling me no matter how many times I block the the number. They give me information about myself like my name and birthdate. Then they want my physicians names. I won’t give it to them. The lady had the nerve to say she was with Human Services at first. Then when when I asked I asked her again where she was calling from she said RCN. I’m thinking why does she need my doctors phone numbers and why is she asking about my health. I asked one time and she told me I was mentally challenged. I called back and said told them if I get one more phone call from you guys, you just caused me distress by calling me mentally challenged. I will call a lawyer and sue you. They decided to take me off their call list. How’s that for mentally challenged? I’m not going to take bs from scam artists. I just don’t know where they are getting information from.
they keep calling, blocked numbers but they keep changing the numbers they call from
(929) 436-2919
PHARMACYSERVICE
Today 03:09 PM
00:00
1
(929) 436-4985
PHARMACYSERVICE
Today 01:07 PM
00:00
1
(929) 445-0189
PHARMACYSERVICE
Today 08:35 AM
00:00
1
(929) 445-0189
PHARMACYSERVICE
Today 08:10 AM
00:00
1
(929) 445-0193
PHARMACYSERVICE
Yesterday 07:50 PM
00:00
1
(929) 445-0170
PHARMACYSERVICE
Yesterday 06:59 PM
00:00
Keep getting calls from Pharmacy Services. Usually don’t pick up but today I did. They claimed they were calling regarding pain management medication. I asked where they got my personal health information. He claimed it was from an online survey. I have never completed any online survey concerning my health. I have only very recently been treated for pain. The calls started shortly after. So, I asked, repeatedly, who provided them with my personal health information. I also told them sharing personal health information for marketing purposes is a violation of HIPPA. He asked “what is that?” I told him It is violation of federal law and I intend to follow up with each of my health care providers and report any further calls. I doubt it will help but it felt good.
After getting multiple calls from PHARMACYSERVICE (401-495-7877) everyday for at least the last 3 weeks, I finally picked up. No reply. I have a caller ID with the “reject feature” but everyday, they change the number that they are supposedly calling from. WTF do they really want? I’m a senior and my insurance dictates where I get my meds from so if you’re reading this, and I’m sure that you are, please piss off!
After getting multiple calls from PHARMACYSERVICE(401-495-7677
401-495-7832
401-495-7796
everyday for at least the last 3 weeks I finally picked up. They asked for me by name. When I asked what they wanted, they just hung up. This AM in two hours I received three calls, but they never leave messages.
I received 10 phone calls in 2 hours this morning, how can this be allowed to continue. these calls are being made daily, and when you ask to be taken off there list they step up the calls. Even after blocking these calls they continue with a similar number. We are losing our freedom of speech, however these calls are allowed to torment us.
Pharmacy service keep call me many times. When I find where building is. I will be dare to cut their phone line off. Serious. I will. Leave me alone. Their phone is 614 697 2823. Don’t play game with me. I will be double dare to cut line with scissor.
Please stop call me. I’m going double dare to cut your phone line. Go ahead call police. I can prove to show police. They can’t arrest me for cut. Please stop call.
Callers from Pharmacy Services 732-427-8596 and 732-427-8579 in Eatontown NJ (did a phone number lookup) they phoned me yesterday at 2:00 pm I told them no thanks and to not call me anymore. This morning at 8:00 am also from Pharmacy Services phoned. It is one thing to phone at 2:00 pm but not at 8:00 am who wants to talk to a solicitor that early in the morning I cussed at her and hung up. How do we make these scammers stop?
Pharmacy Services called me today around dinner time. The woman stated she was working with my insurance company to offer me free medication and then proceeded to ask me personal questions about my health. I told her that I had no health issues and had no idea why she was calling. She then said that she wanted to send me free vitamins but needed my birthday in order to ship them out. I refuse to give out personal info over the phone and told her that this was a BS phone call. The woman had a filopino accent.
I received a similar call today from 585-209-5154 claiming to be from a telemedicine network pharmacy. He said that I qualified for FREE OTC meds under my current insurance during this crisis. He had my full name, address, DOB.. but did not know my primary care doctor’s name. He claimed to be working with my insurance and should have know this. He became agitated and combative when I asked the exact name of HIS COMPANY, why he did not know my Dr’s name and when I stated that I required something in the mail and/or email. I hung up but did tell him that I did not need this and that Kmart was my pharmacy. He acted as if he did not know what KMART was!!!
I just got a call from 209-306-0489. Woman said it was a pharmacy and asked for me by name. This is a cell phone and my name is not listed in any directory. I told her she had the wrong number.
470-870-8713 (local number) called at 8am! About my diabetes meds. I’m not diabetic but my husband is! I fussed her out and hung up!