CHADRON - The Chadron Police Department is investigating a possible scam involving a non-existent company that appeared for a time on internet searches for urgent care providers in Chadron.

Police Officer Derek Bauer says the listing for Almacare Urgent Care included a link, a street address in Chadron, and a phone number from the 402 area code.

Office Bauer says the police department called the number earlier in the week and was asked to provide a cell phone number that would receive a text later. A text message did follow that said Almacare Urgent Care did not accept insurance, was fully booked for walk-in appointments, and could call in prescriptions directly to a pharmacy.

Further texts said the company could call in prescriptions for 30 days at a cost of $196, and requested a name, date of birth, email address, and the phone number of the desired pharmacy. Bauer says the only information the department provided was a picture of a Chadron PD patrol car.

He also says the ongoing investigation determined that the name provided in the texts was that of an Emergency-Certified Nurse-Practitioner licensed in Georgia, but whose license - as of November -  had been suspended in multiple states.

Officer Bauer says further attempts to call the Almacare Urgent Care number and to text the number drew no response and another online search found the company's listing for Chadron was marked as permanently closed.

Chadron police are currently in contact with the Nebraska Dept of Health and Human Services, which licenses health care providers in the state, and investigators would like to speak with anyone who used Almacare. To do so, simply call the Chadron Police Dept's office number 308-432-0510.

Bauer says Chadron police warn everyone to be careful with phone calls, texts, or emails with a company they haven't verified as being legitimate, and should never give any personal information under such circumstances.

He recommends researching businesses at the Better Business Bureau , either online at bbb.org or by calling the organization's toll-free number.