Scammers are now targeting the
elderly, a population who are increasingly concerned over their health care,
especially in light of the Affordable
Care Act’s ensuing changes. A Medicare-card related scam has left a trail
of elderly victims across at least 15 states, including Michigan ,
West Virginia , Tennessee ,
Illinois , New Jersey
and California
Individuals fall prey to such a
scam after receiving a phone call informing them of the need to verify
information in order to receive a new Medicare
card. Despite being warned to never give out personal information over the
phone, when the caller on the other end of the line seems legitimate, it is
hard to pick out a fraudulent call.
"Medicare is my lifeline,”
says Bessie Bell, 72, just one of many senior citizens who has received a
fraudulent call within the last year.
When fraudulent callers pick up
on these worries and focus on current issues such as Medicare changes and the
cost of prescription drugs, it is easy for concerned individuals to believe the
newest pitch. Lately, Medicare beneficiaries are being told they must verify
their account information by giving out their bank account or Social Security
numbers in order to receive a new Medicare card. Others have been lured into
believing in a new, “Preferred Medicare” card that would somehow be used alongside
the current card.
The public is concerned with how
to spot the scammers as they grow more convincing. Before giving out any
personal information, individuals are warned to stop and think: would the
government call each individual if changes were made to the Medicare program?
Senior citizens have been advised to first call their doctor, the drugstore, or
the AARP before taking any action. While a
call may seem legitimate, it is important to remember that bank routing numbers
are public information, and while a caller’s knowledge of such information may
make the call seem more legitimate, it is better to be safe than sorry.
While this Medicare-card related
scam may be one of the newer fraudulent schemes occurring across the nation,
these scammers are not alone. Just last year, millions were called to verify
their personal information in order to receive diabetic test strips; fraudulent
online pharmacies lure in many each year by offering prescription drugs at prices
too good to be true.
If you have questions about
criminal matters, fraud or other legal issues, please contact Mark Mandell or
Tariq Hafeez at 248.380.0000 or online at www.MichiganFraudLawyer.com.
To learn more and visit the
original article, please visit: http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20130210/OPINION01/302100310/Susan-Tompor-Scammers-target-seniors-fake-Medicare-card
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