Philips Lifeline medical alert service has issued a fraud alert to warn people of a telemarketing scam currently underway.

The scam is targeting senior citizens all over the U.S. and Canada, according to the news release from Philips Lifeline. Jan Bergum, Lifeline program coordinator for St. Charles Health System, said she’s seen a recent uptick in locals receiving fraudulent calls.

“We have been getting all sorts of calls from people asking if we’re giving out their personal information,” Bergum said. “We don’t ever give out any information like that.”

People in the area are reportedly receiving calls from a company claiming to have a Philips Lifeline system for them. The caller asks for credit card, debit card or Medicare information.

An email alert from a Philips Lifeline spokeswoman stated that Philips had identified the source of the telemarketing scam and was moving to stop it. “We know these ‘robo’ calls are causing much consternation out in the local communities,” Kimberly Labagnara wrote.

Never share personal information with a caller of this type, Bergum said. “And if anyone does give out information, they should contact their bank immediately.”

A medical alert service allows someone in distress to summon help with a push-button device that connects them with a dispatcher. The device, worn around the neck, can also automatically signal for help in the event of a fall, for example.

Callers who have given credit or debit card information sometimes have, and sometimes have not, received the promised product but are seeing charges being made on their account, Bergum said.

“People should take this very seriously,” she said. “The best idea is to just hang up on them, but if you do talk to them, try to get some information about where they’re calling from and who they are.”