SCAM suspected in newspaper ad for medical job in Ogdensburg

OGDENSBURG — A newspaper ad for employment with a medical services group was suspected Thursday to be bogus and police are warning the public to be wary of it and other schemes.

The ad, which was published in Thursday’s edition of the Ogdensburg Journal, sought candidates to work as a medical associate for St. Lawrence Health Alliance Inc. The Journal is published by Northern New York Newspapers Corp.

“Busy local practice seeks candidate with strong computer skills, background in billing essential, $12-13/hr, depending on upon experience. Call (855) 285-1025.”

The ad came as a surprise to Alliance Director of Operations Melanie A. Morgan when she saw it in the morning paper. No one at the Alliance, which offers management and administrative services to 23 physicians and medical specialist groups from a suite of offices at 3 Lyon Place, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, knew about the ad.

And one more thing: “No, we’re not hiring,” said Stephen C. Krauz, the Alliance’s executive director and a Claxton-Hepburn vice president.

The recorded male voice at the end of the line takes 90 seconds to offer a claims-processing job that pays up to $7 per claim, allows one to work at home and requires an investment of $199 for software, refundable if not happy with the job after six months.

The number has a national reputation for seeming to be a scam, based on a Google search.

A message left with the (855) 285-1025 number wasn’t answered by late Thursday afternoon.

Police are available for advice by calling 393-1551.