Australasian Health Professionals Directory Scam
The AMA has warned doctors of a scam in which medical practices are being charged up to $5200 for listing in the Australasian Health Professionals Directory.
The Association has been informed that a number of practices have been approached with the offer of a free listing in the Directory, but the fine print of the contract shows that the listing in fact costs $1300 a year for a minimum of three years, and will continue on for a further year if not cancelled.
There are a range of other concerns about the material that doctors have received, including the fact that the website www.auahp.com does not currently appear to exist, and the listing form asks for a great deal of information that puts participants at risk of identity fraud.
The AMA advises doctors and practices who receive this material to ignore it.
Those who have signed up to Australasian Health Professionals Directory should immediately send a follow up communication rescinding their participation.
On no account should doctors or practices make any payment or provide credit card details.
Doctors and practices that receive demands for payment or financial information from Australasian Health Professionals Directory should immediately contact their local Office of Fair Trading or the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. State and Territory AMA offices are also available to assist members.
The AMA said that it had today written to Fair Trading offices in each State and Territory, as well as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, alerting them to this latest scam.
The AMA has published more detailed advice for doctors at https://ama.com.au/urgent-advice-members-australasian-health-professionals-directory
29 May 2013
CONTACT: Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753