A dermatologist posted in an anonymous physician group on Facebook after receiving a call from someone claiming to represent WebMD. According to the post, the caller said they wanted to interview the physician and feature them as a top dermatologist in the town, adding that only two doctors would be selected. The caller reportedly emphasized that there was no money involved and that it was not an advertising opportunity.
The physician said they had never heard of such a process and did not want to waste 45 minutes on an interview if it turned out to be a scam.
“I just got a call from WebMdThey said they want to interview me and feature me as a top Dermatologist in the town and they only pick 2No money to pay so not advertising scamIs this fo real or scam?I’ve never heard of anything like this and don’t want to waste 45 minutes of interview time if a scam”
Comment from Anonymous member 464:
“My husband got a similar call, claiming to be Web MD
It’s a marketing ploy for some third party, I think they buy ad space for you on Web MD. But they make it sound like they want to interview you as an expert, and they will pick the best interview.
He wasted an hour talking to them and was livid at the end”
A nocturnist commented:
“I was getting offers to be listed as top Illinois doctor! Great to know that patients can choose their own nocturnist when I'm not even licensed to practice in Illinois (I work in Missouri).”
A Family Physician faced a similar scam :
“I got something similar from ‘best of Rhode Island magazine.’ They spend lots of time telling me how much of an honor this is, etc., then at the end of the pitch are selling me a ‘program’ for $1500 to be listed on their website.”
Physicians in the group cautioned colleagues to be wary of unsolicited calls that rely on exclusivity, praise, and vague selection criteria.