VA issues pharmaceutical scam alert

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VMAC) in Poplar Bluff has been alerted of a suspected scam threatening to withhold further medication refills from veterans who have not paid their medical bills.

The scammers are calling veterans and requesting personal information and payment for the bills by credit card.

Poplar Bluff VMAC Associate Director Stan Skorniak said his office learned on the incident Tuesday. He emphasized his office never calls to request payments for patients' pharmacy prescriptions.

"At this point, we don't know how serious a problem it is," Skorniak said. "This could be a one-time occurrence or it could be a continuous problem. We'll have to keep a watchful eye to see what happens but we want all veterans to be aware of this potential threat."

Veterans who have been targeted or may have concern about the scam may call 573-778-4633.