I have a rescue that I have been running for four years.  I do not publicize
my rescue, I try to keep a low profile due to me not owning the place that I
am currently in, (I'm saving and looking for just the right place for the
carpet sharks and me)  But recently something really strange happened to me
and I wanted to let everybody be aware of it cause it can happen to any of
us.
 
About two and a half months ago I was at a show and a ferret friend asked me
a strange question...she asked me if I called her vet.  I looked at her
strangely and answered no.  (I'm happy with my vet and she works with me and
helps me alot with cut costs, free supplies, and even lets my bills slide
for months without a payment) anyway... she told me someone had called her
vet and was asking all kinds of questions and trying to get price breaks or
something on those lines and they said they ran a shelter.  She said her vet
thought they gave my name.  now I really looked shocked ... not knowing
this was the beginning of the trouble...about a month later I got a really
strange call from a vet in a town about 15 miles or so away, asking when I
was going to pay my bill.  I didn't even know this vet or where it even was.
I told them I had no clue to what they were talking about.  After about 20
minutes of arguing on the phone she gave me directions and I went to the
office to confront them myself.  When I got there I asked them about the
info in their records.  Bits and pieces of their info match my info, and my
phone number was given to them.  Luckily who ever it was did not know enough
about me to really screw me with the bill.  After speaking with the vet who
treated the ferret and remembered the woman, I was given an apology and
released from the bill.  I spoke with the vet and talked how he could
improve his files by showing a drivers license before giving treatment to
any newcomer.  I also told him to help me notify all the close vets and tell
them to keep an eye out for someone passing themselves off as a shelter and
or using my rescues name or my name.  anyway....I called my ferret friend
who spoke to me at the show and she remembered more info on the conversation
between her vet and that person who called.  She had also given another
shelters info mixed with my info, she also gave me other info on it but you
get the drift.  I figured I would never hear another word on it, but just a
week ago I received a call from the police that they caught a woman using
the exact same info with a near by vet in the same area.  I never saw this
girl before in my life, I don't know how she got my info, except for by word
of mouth through ferret people.  The vets are pressing charges.  Come to
find out she has been scamming vets for years, and also other medical
practices.  It is too easy now a days for someone to walk in and say they
are you in an emergency situation and get away with it.Vets and doctors
should make it mandatory to show ID.  Not only so they can get paid but also
for our protection too.  I could have been stuck with the $200 surgury bill.
I got lucky.It could happen to you so please beware.
[Posted in FML issue 2338]