Scammers posing as hospital staff drive rise in calls across Bavaria

Fraudulent calls from people posing as hospital employees are increasing in Bavaria, BR reports. A hospital in Schweinfurt, a regional hospital group and the South Upper Bavaria police headquarters have warned the public about the scam.

More than 50 cases have been reported in the neighbouring districts of Mühldorf and Altötting, the hospital group and police said. No such calls had been recorded in the districts of Traunstein and Berchtesgadener Land, but officials issued a warning as a precaution. A university hospital in Würzburg and police had also warned about the scheme in recent weeks.

Callers claim that a close relative is in hospital after an accident or with a serious illness. They then pressure the person who answers to pay a large sum immediately, claiming it is needed for urgent treatment, surgery or continued care.

The hospitals stressed that they do not request cash payments by telephone and that emergency treatment does not depend on advance payment. They advised people not to share personal or financial information with unknown callers.

Anyone receiving such a call should hang up, contact the relative or another family member directly, and report the incident to local police. They can also call the hospital’s official number and ask to be connected to the relevant ward.