Scammers pose as local firm

A call-spoofing scam has targeted people, asking them to give out credit card information in recent weeks. Several people have reported getting calls from the office of Dr. Thomas Chambers, Optometrist, 2845 SR 100, asking to pay off an outstanding balance with their credit card over the phone, Chambers said. He said while he doesn't believe anybody has fallen for it yet, he wants residents to be aware of the scam. "If you get a call from our office asking for your credit card number, whatever you do, don't give it out," he said. Chambers also said his office staff never would ask for credit card information over the phone and that is only done when initiated by a patient. "The only time we would discuss credit card information is when we are in direct contact with a patient and the request is initiated by the patient," he said. "For example, a patient might call us to order contacts and ask if they can pay by credit card over the phone. Instances like that, and only when the patient initiates it, will we ever discuss that information." Chambers said he believes the calls are random, since his office has had patients and people who aren't patients call to ask what the calls were about. "If you receive a call from us asking for credit card information, just know we are not behind the calls," he said. "Don't buy into it. Disregard it as a spoof caller." Chambers said call-spoofing is real and he wants people to be aware of the problem and not fall for it. "I just want people to know that it's real and it's using a local business to entice people into giving out their information," he said. "Don't do it."