You may have gotten an automated phone call or voicemail from Alberta Health Services (AHS) about a status on a Bariatric Clinic waitlist. If you heard this exact script (shown below) – please do not worry. This is a real call and not a scam.
Script if you answered the phone:
“Hello, this is the Alberta Health Services, Bariatric Clinic wait list management team, automated call out service. We are in the process of confirming the wait list status for [patient name]. To confirm that we have reached the right number, press 1. If this is a wrong number, press 7.”
Script if you pressed 1 and confirmed that we have reached the right number:
“Our records indicate that [patient name] is on a waitlist. To confirm that this is you or you are the legal guardian or agent of [patient name], press 1. If this is not you, press 7.”
Script if you pressed 1 and confirmed your identity, or you are the legal guardian or agent of patient:
“To ensure patient privacy, we do have to confirm the birthday of [patient name]. Please enter the day, followed by the pound sign. Please enter the month, followed by the pound sign. Please enter the four digit year of birth.
Script if identity has been verified:
“There are a number of options for weight management in the community, we want to see if you remain interested in exploring surgical management for obesity. Please choose one of the following options:
To remain on the waitlist for the bariatric clinic for possible surgical treatment or if you already had bariatric surgery, press 1 and listen for additional options.
If you are not interested in possible surgical treatment for obesity but are interested in exploring non-surgical options for weight management, press 2.
If you are unsure about treatment options, surgical vs non-surgical, and would like to receive a support call helping you to make a decision, press 3.
If you no longer wish to receive calls from the bariatric clinic and would like to be removed from the waitlist, press 4.
To repeat this message, press 9.”
Script if a voicemail was left:
“Hello, this is the Alberta Health Services, Bariatric Clinic wait list management team, automated call out service. We are in the process of confirming the wait list status for [patient first name]. For more information about this service, please visit us at ahs.ca/rahbariatricwaitlist.”
We need confirm your status on a waitlist. If you did not answer the call, we will call the phone number we have on file up to three times. We will ask for your birth date to confirm your identity, and may also ask for your provincial PHN, so please have that ready when we call you back.
If we have not been able to reach you after the third attempt, the Bariatric Clinic waitlist management team will try to call you.
Note: If you hang up or did not answer the call, you will not lose your position on the waitlist and the Bariatric Clinic waitlist management team will call you back.
Alberta Health Services will never ask for your financial information or for any personal information other than your name, or birth date during these automated calls.
If the phone call or voicemail you received does not have the same script or asks for additional information (like your Social Insurance Number (SIN)), DO NOT call the number. Someone may be pretending to be Alberta Health Services to collect your personal information and scam you.
