Be suspicious of anyone who asks for money, no matter how well you think you know them. If you think someone else is fraudulently using your Medicare card, then call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). While we choose to believe in the good in people, its always best to be cautious just in case. Scamming people into buying these bogus medications is apparently a big business in the USA. The scammers are falsely claiming to be someone from Senior Services, and are calling from a 757-461-exchange with rolling last four digits. Surviving family members may receive a phone call or email advising them there is an unpaid balance owed for the funeral and/or cemetery. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. The FTC accepts complaints about all scams, like imposter scams, phone calls, emails, computer support. For one, an elderly person may be more likely to have money saved up than younger people. Copyright {2022} {SeniorSafetyAdvice.com}. Is Shell gas cards another scam, since it is in Nevada can it be casinos, or a person who worked at a bank that remembered a consumer because the were customer service at some time years ago. You can report scams online with the FTC complaint assistant or by a phone call. Check out the following programs and discounts that may be available for seniors over 65. So when you have a complaint, you unknowingly give them your information. Senior citizens scams also include bogus diet products and programs, which were leading scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Our Risk Free Offer: No contracts required for any senior call service. 13. Funeral homes can perpetrate the scams by overcharging for services and/or products its easy to take advantage of most anyone when they are in an emotional state. For instance, if you have a complaint about your credit card, you will contact customer service. Because seniors are very often the target for a con artist, the number of scams aimed at defrauding seniors and the elderly are plenty. 64 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, California 95003, United States. There are a few scams having to do with funerals and cemeteries. Perpetrators often use robocalls to reach victims. One retirement scam includes perpetrators posing as financial advisors to get access to seniors retirement funds. They know that grieving people are more emotional, and that is how they get their victims. They usually start the conversation with Hi, grandpa/grandma! and ask the grandparent to guess whos calling. Across the country, seniors may receive calls from scam operators who claim to represent Medicare or a different insurance provider. In fact, elder fraud statistics uncover that these scams accounted for almost a third of such complaints in the first nine months of 2020. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. For more hands-on care for seniors who live alone, consider at-home care. If you are unsure about someone, you can always ask a friend or family member for their opinion. Together they are considered the finest advisors on Medicare in the area. The grandparent scam is a very old scam and another example of identity scams. Some claim that their fraudulent anti-aging products contain all-natural ingredients that will work miracles, but they are, in truth, completely ineffective. Do you have the contact information of this broker? Find out more about the products and carriers we offer! Another reason why scams targeting senior citizens are so frequent is that they may have large sums of money at hand thanks to their retirement savings and pension checks. Report abuse . However, elderly people who get scammed this way often learn that only when they arrive at the destination. Or maybe a new car or a free vacation to Hawaii. Also, to prevent becoming a victim of senior citizen scams, avoid replying to unsolicited emails or clicking on links from unfamiliar sources. talk to as many friends and family as you can about the decision you are considering making. 122 W. Prairie Avenue Decatur, Illinois 62523 Toll-Free: 833-801-7999. they continue this harassment with the excuse they aren't trying to sell me something. However, these offers dont really come from legit businesses, but their main goal is to make you click on a link that will either install malware on your computer or ask for your personal information. The goal is to give seniors a fulfilled and standard quality of life at an old age. Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Its not easy to protect yourself against their devious scams, but you should at least try to give your best to reduce their chances of defrauding you. Scammers will often mail their targets a check to deposit in their bank account because they know that fake checks are rejected only after a few days. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Being unaware of the risk theyre facing while being online, older adults easily fall into the traps of unscrupulous scammers. I found where Press J to jump to the feed. So I was on the line for 28 minutes, went through 2 lady's then one guy who was trying to set me up with a plan. This is a viral scam, and thousands of victims are recorded every year. While our advisors have fulfilled clients requests for final expense life insurance on a limited basis, this is once again not done by telemarketing but rather in existing client annual reviews. We have no connection with these calls and no way to stop the criminals making them. 12. Government agencies wont call, text, or email you to ask you for your personal info. They offer authentic funeral arrangements but at a really high cost. Summary. Even when I said to just email me the plan info that I needed to go he was really okay with it. Senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable groups of individuals in our society. The information on this website is available AS IS, subject to our Disclaimer and Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy. Senior Benefits calls are 100% SCAM - YouTube 0:00 / 7:22 IT'S A SCAM! For instance, if there has just been a heavily damaging flood, you could get calls asking for donations. As a result, there are many healthcare and insurance plans that have been created for older people. Whether its answering a few questions about Medicare or creating a comprehensive Medicare Planner with you, we are your Medicare Allies. We represent over 220+ leading insurance carriers. Complete a Senior Benefits Application and send by mail, fax, email, in-person/lobby drop box, direct secure messaging (requires a DSM account), or through a fee agent. Between that and my age, I was only 4 years away from 70, the "magic" retirement age. It is also quite hard to find a decent funeral parlor that treats the dead respectably and appropriately. Some scammers pretend to be customer service reps of some businesses. Although its inconceivable that people would take advantage of the elderly, there is an increasing number of senior scams targeting this vulnerable population. Defendant's calls were placed to telephone number assigned to a All audio content of the above conference calls are the property of American Senior Benefits, LLC. This makes it easy for con artists to trick them into giving them money or personal details. Retirement Resources. Clean Harbors is seeking a Senior Benefits Analyst to join their safety conscious team! Lastly, we look for any cancellation fees that customers may incur if they . For more information, call 303-441-1415. This type of senior scams and frauds may also involve dishonest funeral homes, whose goal is to deceive family members by adding unnecessary charges to the bill. While there are some new scams, most of these schemes have been around for a long time. So, some of the warning signs of weight-loss program frauds are: Some of the most common scams related to the pandemic include: If you belong to the group of senior citizens, you can never be too careful when it comes to scams targeting the elderly. Additionally, scams targeting older people often prey on the fact that many seniors are trusting and less likely to suspect foul play. Family Caregiver Support Program. A credit card company wont ask you to submit your security details through emails or phone. Robocallers are certainly annoying, but sometimes they can be terrifying, too. We have no connection with these calls and no way to stop the criminals making them. Millions of elderly suffer from identity theft every year. Please note, if you are a senior performer eligible for the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) Plan, click here for more details about how to enroll. New Senior Berater jobs added daily. Weight loss program adds using terms like miracle, scientific breakthrough, or revolutionary.. The best way to protect yourself and your family from scams is to take your time, do in-depth research, and dont be afraid to ask questions and complain. They will tell you all about some healthcare initiatives and ask you to pay some money to secure your health care package. You can also save valuable numbers on your contact list so as not to fall victim to these scammers. In one, a company claims under false pretenses that they have a products that is scientifically proven to treat or prevent COVID-19. Health Improve. They ask you for a fee. Where can I find out if a certain government incentive program is legitimate; specifically targeting seniors. If possible, have regular conversations about scams and how to avoid them. I had a heart attack over the call and she told me to call 191, I was on the phone for 15 mins completely BSing them . Before you buy products from any website, check the customer reviews first. All these schemes are very dangerous as they can quickly deplete older people of their savings. Benefits.gov can help you find benefits you are eligible for, including resources for seniors. If your phone is well secured, scammers can hack into your mail and go through your junk mail. It's also important that you report illegal robocalls to the Federal Trade Commission at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call 888-225-5322, and sign the Consumer Union petition at EndRobocalls.org to pressure phone companies to start offering free call-blocking technology. A person claiming to work for a familiar institution may call you. Senior Benefit Services, Inc is aware that this group is using a variation of our name and due to our top internet rankings, many folks are contacting our office in error, thinking it is our company calling them. Luke Hockaday is a Customer Success Rep here at Medicare Allies. These unscrupulous people are skilled at gaining the trust of senior citizens so they can rob them of their money or identities. You should go to your healthcare provider to first confirm before you accept any offers. In reality, the property from the ad doesnt exist, or is owned by someone else. Before you write that check to donate any money to any charity check to ensure that it is a legit organization by validating it on these sites: Scammers and con artists have little to no morals so they can, without guilt, try to scam older adults in any venue including a funeral of their loved one. Many older adults above the age of 62 have retirement benefits, mainly targeted by scammers. Here are some examples of Medicare fraud. You have more medical needs, and many older people need medication to maintain their health issues. As an older person, your healthcare is a crucial issue. It could happen in several forms. Their primary tool of oppression is fear. Insurance policy conversion. Even if they are wearing a shirt or badge that seems to be from a company. is very common. I can email anyone the Humana forms this guy sent me. Or, they ask you for money to be sent to them so that you can claim your prize. You will be recognized and appreciated for . They may go to the homes of unsuspecting people or contact them through their mails. Defendant's calls constituted calls that were not for emergency purposes as defined by 47 U.S.C. Reports of financial abuse of the elderly have been increasing. Bill Weber & Ken Cook | Serving Santa Cruz Area Medicare Beneficiaries Since 2001 Bill Weber Bill Weber Bill Weber Lic#0D14246 Ken Cook Bill Weber Bill Weber Lic#0E46549 Seniors Benefits (India scammer Call ) Insurance Oct 092k19 Frank For Mike Hunt Reporting Elder Financial Abuse & Fraud. There was just no place for Seniors to go to get all of the help they need or answer all of the questions they have. Another is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau where you can submit a complaint about a financial product or service. Another common fraud against the elderly includes the grandparent phone scam. They wait till when you need to make a transaction through a phone call. They include: In these scams, fraudsters sell and advertise fake prescription drugs to treat ailments and diseases. All these are effective ways of avoiding false charity schemes. Please feel free to leave a comment or question below. The best way to protect yourself is to assume that any notification you receive from an unknown source is a scam. After receiving a Medicare scam phone call that asks for your Medicare number or other personal information, reach out to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY:1-877-486-2048. We also had an agreement that he would ask me about ANY mail he got that solicited money, before acting on it. First, they would attend the funeral of a stranger and, in the end, approach the family that they have come to collect a debt owed. A legitimate sweepstakes will not ask you for money nor will they just send you a check if you havent signed up for their sweepstake. 227(a)(1) to place said calls. Also, if you are a loved one or a caregiver wanting to protect a senior in your life, make sure to get acquainted with seniors online habits. Also, if you notice there are suspicious purchases with your credit card, contact your bank immediately. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission is the primary government agency that collects these complaints. , If you called 1-800-MEDICARE and left a message, a representative can call you back. Email questions to. Defendant used an "automatic telephone dialing system" as defined by 47 U.S.C. They all seemed nice and not as abbrassive or aggressive as other scammers, the last guy showed no signs of actually scamming me or trying to get anything from me so I just asked him to email me the information about the plans. This is a special kind of telemarketing fraud targeted at senior citizens. August 5, 2022. Before we move onto practical examples of fraud and how the elderly can avoid becoming victims of fraudsters, lets see why the elderly are so susceptible to scams in the first place. On the website, youll discover that the SSA wont rush you to share your security information through emails, no matter the issue. . Best thing to do is to ask them to leave their information or to ask them to wait while you call the company they are supposedly representing to find out if they have representatives in your area. Copyright 2022 Senior Benefits Insurance Services - All Rights Reserved. to anyone who calls YOU. So, before you plunk down any money for any type of charity follow these two rules that I learned after making some bad decisions after my husband passed away. All audio content of the above conference calls are the property of American Senior Benefits, LLC. Per the case, the calls were placed using an automatic telephone dialing system in an attempt to solicit the plaintiff's business. Although there are several kinds of health insurance scams, there are two main types, which include the following: This is a classic type of healthcare scam. About American Senior Benefits American Senior Benefits is one of the largest privately owned insurance brokerage companies in America. Call the police if they feel any fear for themselves or their loved ones. Finally, elder fraud makes the elderly feel embarrassed about being scammed, so they dont report the crime to the authorities. View coronavirus (COVID-19) resources on Benefits.gov. American Senior Benefits contacts Phone number 1 913-451-2724 Website www.americanseniorbenefits.com View all American Senior Benefits contacts ADVERTISIMENT Most discussed American Senior Benefits complaints Job scam 3 (opinions to this review) Sales Calls - Robo Calls 1 (opinions to this review) Check scam 1 (opinions to this review) The choices our customers make are key life decisions and we work every day to help them find the right solutions at affordable prices. laws against taking advantage of the elderly, What to Do if Your Elderly Parent Is Being Scammed. Once you give them your money, they disappear and never contact you again. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information. There is a suggested donation. To illustrate, lately weve gotten several phone messages at our house, informing us that we need to return the call because there has been an error in our Social Security benefits. This scam is widespread, and because there is an entire organization like this, so many people fall. They will give you an entirely made-up story about why youre just meeting them. Visit Coronavirus.gov for live updates. For example, we have Siri, Alexa, Google assistance, and several others. They will give you all sorts of details about their charity group and give you a fake website. Box 2461, Suwanee, GA 30024 Email, Article of the week Latest published posts Recall notices, State Medicaid Program Contact Information, Activity Calendars For Seniors With Dementia. Besides the Grandparent Scam, seniors are also susceptible to a common scam by con artists pretending to be calling from a senior benefits companies. 3. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. It would help if you were well-informed about various ways con artists use to take advantage of older people. These scams mainly occur after a significant disaster or occurrence. It could be operated through emails, impersonating a social security officer, and telephone calls. Order Now! For example, they try to sell an expensive casket for a deceased who is going to be cremated. Thats why its a good idea to get yourself acquainted with the regulations concerning consumer protection for seniors. Be wary of any site telling you prescription doesnt matter. First, they should never give out personal information like their social security number or credit card number over the phone or online. This percentage probably doesnt even give an accurate picture of this problem as many scams go unreported. For Android smartphones, open the phone app and tap the calling number, select Details, then Block Number. 2022 Calls. What we do is important, personal, and precise. Discover benefits that can help pay for health care, prescriptions, food, housing, and more. If they can get info like the seniors credit card info or other financial details, they surely will as well. They just become a victim of financial fraud in a different way. They work in a strong demographic, offer training and support to new agents, and give the ability to build an agency if they so desire. December 11, 2018. Your phone assistant will give you a fake number to call, and thats how the scammers get your personal information. The primary detail to note is if you have never heard of the charity organization before. The fraudsters will then feed you a lot of information about a health insurance plan that would work for you. Page updated . Before paying them, make sure the person is an actual . Fraudsters call a senior citizen pretending to be their grandchild. What Are Some Steps That Seniors Can Take To Avoid Being Scammed? North American Senior Benefits (NASB) is an insurance brokerage that focuses primarily on the senior market. Ask for their full name, title, and association with their claimed organization. Now that youve learned what these scams are, youll be able to protect yourself and your loved ones. Scammers find people without healthcare systems and offer them fake plans. Since all US citizens and permanent residents over 65 are eligible for Medicare, fraudsters dont even have to do any research on health insurance providers of senior people. They typically say theyre from your bank, social benefits, insurance company, etc. All rights reserved. As I mentioned above the simplest solution is to not answer the phone but if you must then DO NOT give out any information, no matter how official they may sound. 2018. These medical alert robocalls tell the senior they could get a personal medical alert system for free, says The Senior List. Senior Citizens. In this type of fraudulent scheme, a scam artist pretending to work for a reputable company, such as Visa or Mastercard, will offer a senior a credit card with a pre-approved spending limit. Instead, take down their information and then call the company that they say they are representing and speak to a person there. You should also be wary of pills that claim to cure terminal illnesses. According to the American Senior Benefits website, they claim that they . Seniors nationwide are reporting pushy, suspicious telemarketing calls from businesses going by the names "Senior Emergency Care," "Senior Safety Alert," "American Senior Benefits. Of course I know this is very difficult for many older adults. | Website, Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Disclaimer Sitemap. So, the next best thing to do is to NEVER give out any information to anyone you do not know. In addition to these types of swindles there are also many that occur online such as romance scams, lottery scams, and technical support scams. This could come in the form of an email or phone call or you might even see a jar at your local store collecting dollars. Great grandchild scam. So, hang up, dont respond to the email or mail. There are also websites that you can use to check which charities are real. Even without the 24/7 monitoring service plan, users can still take advantage of the SOS emergency button, which is built into the back of the phone. Sadly, these are just some of the scams that are prevalent today targeting older adults. Even free trial offers may scam you. They want your money. wrong number text scam. Click HERE to Call Us Today: 319-631-4795. Cornering these guys. That way, youll believe the offers are genuine, and you can fall victim. We are licensed in most states and can help you pick the right Medicare plan for your needs. Being conned to donate money to a fake charity is an old scam that is still being used effectively today. Today there are fraudsters at every corner looking for their opportunity to take advantage. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. They claim that it is your robot assistant that you can send on errands. The plaintiff, a Mesa, Arizona resident, says he started receiving in October 2020 several calls from American Senior Benefits from the phone numbers (480) 814-5850 and (480) 832-8559. We'll email you new posts as we add them. Some of these financial benefits include: Senior discounts. This is a classic scam move, and once you know it, itll be hard to fall victim. For that reason, you must keep a watchful eye and educate your loved ones whenever possible. To block individual numbers that get through on an iPhone, open the phone app, tap the circled "i" icon to the right of the spam number that called, scroll down and tap Block This Caller. Of course, there are some legitimate charities, but this is not always the case. Believe it or not, financial exploitation of the elderly by family members. There are numerous call centers in these countries who are trying to connect with insurance agents on LinkedIn to use their services. Their means of contact are usually through clone emails or phone calls with the same names and addresses as your healthcare provider. In fact, this is so prevalent, that the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) in the USA has information about it on their website. Featured review. This is a type of fraud where someone pretends to be interested in a romantic relationship with an older person, in order to gain their trust and eventually steal their money. Our advisors only contact those individuals by phone who have either been referred to us personally or sent a request to be contacted. These scammers mostly use a system called phishing. These are just some of the senior benefits you will receive from Prospect: Welcome packet containing all benefit information Senior Member Service Team can be reached at (877) 619-5900 and by email Transportation coordination to and from medical appointments should your health plan coverage run out In one scenario, perpetrators read obituaries and use the information they get to contact the grieving widow or widower. 227(b)(1)(A). Alternatively, an application can be downloaded here. 2015 - 2017. The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides grants to qualified agencies and organizations for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older in volunteer service to meet critical community needs . Since many seniors like purchasing over the phone, they are at significant risk of being conned this way. As they feel compassion, they quickly decide to give their contribution to this charity fund. The phone number given as the agency has numerous complaints listed online for it. These scams are created to target desperate older adults with critical health issues. First of all, if you havent signed up to that particular sweepstake, then you know that its fake. Programs and services for seniors. Scamming the elderly online can happen in many different forms, from pop-ups and website advertisements to email campaigns. Unfortunately, the negative consequences of this scheme are twofold. We do not offer every plan available in your area. In this one, scammers send emails that offer a free gift card or discount for legit restaurants or retailers. For example, if youd like to get a casket on your own, a legit funeral directive cannot insist that you should get theirs. These scammers use a wide range of deceptive techniques to try to game our system, Ethan Russell, product director for Google Maps acknowledged at the time. Know which calls to avoid. They get you to give your money by playing on your emotions and sympathy. Or they can just gather information from you that they should not have. Learn more about benefits for senior citizens: Healthcare Resources. Our company does NOT sell burial plots nor medical alert equipment. You then may end up having to pay fees or to cover taxes on that check. September 2, 2022. Additionally, there are a few more things you could do to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting scammed: 1. To register for this free service, call 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number you wish to register. If a scammer finds out what financial institution(s) you deal with, they can work their tricks to get your information and then steal your money. A made-up business sells Robo-call, a robotic device made to assist people with their daily needs. After obtaining a masters degree in English philology, a love for words and a passion for books inspired Mira to become a content writer. Related: Norfolk Police warn of Christmas sweater text. Most of the time, they pretend to be a subgroup of a healthcare plan you already belong to. They could contact you through phone calls, letters, or emails. Its a very dangerous scam, and your life could even be in danger. Because of this, offering up your Medicare number to phone scammers can result in identity theft. In-Home Services. They will offer services like final life insurance expenses or health care benefits. In fact, health insurance or Medicare scam is one of the most common senior scams. Fraudsters usually inform their potential victims that they have won the lottery or some other type of prize but that they can claim it only if they make a payment. If you received Canada emergency response benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic (for example, CERB or Canada Recovery Benefits) in 2021, you may be eligible to have your seniors financial assistance eligibility based on your 2022 estimated income. BEWARE! Many fraudsters dont shy away from conning seniors out of their money by posing as charity workers. No content from this website is allowed to be re-posted or copied in any form without permission from the contents author. If anyone is ever able to get us information regarding who this telemarketing group actually is or who they are contracted by, then we would appreciate this information so that we can file a formal complaint against them with the Attorney Generals Office. It is no news that funeral arrangements and expenses are not cheap. Anyone would love to get a phone call telling them that theyve just won 5 million dollars! For instance, some online vendors sell medical Robo-call devices.. They range from participating in pyramid schemes to investing in fictional businesses. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Its important to be aware of senior scams, so that you can protect yourself or your loved ones from becoming victims. The Sr Benefits Analyst contributes to the development and deployment of COE Benefit programs; facilitates the execution and administration of retirement / health and welfare plans in U.S. and Canada; performs analytical and advisory functions; provides . They help you carry out tasks like making phone calls, setting reminders, and checking search engines. Here Are The Top 11 Scams Aimed At Older Adults. These telemarketing groups are usually situated internationally. There are a few things that an elder person can do to protect themselves from scams. 11. Senior Benefits Insurance Services Senior Benefits Insurance Services Click to Call Today All our services are no cost to you! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Make sure their computer has up-to-date antivirus and security software protection. Health Care; Womens Health; Mental Health; More Food; . He said he was from Humana and sent me what looks to be official Humana documents. Again, no government agency will ask you to pay any kind of a fee, so if youre asked to give any money, its most likely a scam. "Be very suspicious about calls that prey . According to the funeral rule, funeral homes are legally required to present you with three costing lists. *. Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. said this measure will provide earlier the benefits of the elders which the lawmaker calls "the least, the lost, and the last." " Silang mga buong buhay na . Cookie Notice . Theyll ask you to submit your card details like your serial number or PIN. You should also call the National Elder Fraud Hotline or the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-FTC-HELP) . These callers will claim to be working for a reputable charity group and ask you to donate a certain amount of money to help the flood victims. You know the old adage, right? They offer cheap sample discounts to desperate older people who cant afford the more expensive packages. . Then call your institution yourself and advise them that you just received a phone call about that specific topic and would like to make sure that its not a scam. They may spend weeks or months building up a relationship with their target, before asking for money. They're calling with different phone numbers with Pennsylvania exchange/area codes, and no matter how many times I tell them to put me on a Do Not Call list, they continue to call, has anybody else been getting phone calls like this? Cancel anytime after that and receive a pro-rated refund. July 1, 2022. , There are only two situations that someone from Medicare may call you: , Most often, your telephone may identify that a call like this is scam likely. However, if your device does not have this feature, its always best to err on the side of caution. Once they have access to your private life, they can steal your money or even sell your assets. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Senior benefits scam only offer these services to get your private financial information so they can steal from you. However, before you respond to any business mail, check the companys official website to confirm the mail. Seniors receiving Medicare are commonly targeted by scammers who are on the hunt to steal identities, money, or more. How Much Money Do Seniors Lose To Scams Each Year? NOTE: POSTING ANY KIND OF PERSONAL NUMBER (INCLUDING SPOOFS) IS STRICTLY AGAINST THE RULES. From offers for free medical supplies and entitlement to refunds to attempts to verify your identity, all of these calls are examples of a scam you should run far away from. They dont have an actual location you can get to. There have also been scams related to buying face masks or other supplies that turned out to be fake or counterfeit products. Whether it's life or health insurance, we are here to provide the guidance you need without the worry. We absolutely hate that you are being cold called by someone using our identity. (2 days ago) Reports of American senior care calls are becoming non-stop. 1. Also, remember that you cant be too careful with your social security information. So you should always make sure to confirm the persons identity first before you donate. When you notice any transaction that looks odd, call your financial advisor right away. Para espanol, View all post by Esther C. Kane, C.D.S. Never act before getting all the information. The scammers then ask for remote access to your computer, direct you to a fake website, talk you into purchasing special promotional gift cards, etc. Another sign is when you cant trace the identity of the caller. Senior Housing. Luke is passionate about 3 things, and 3 things only: senior insurance, football, and food! National Parks America the Beautiful Senior Pass. Luckily, there are ways you can avoid funeral scams. If you want to protect yourself, try to avoid using these tools for essential purchases. Then, the con artist will go on to ask for date of birth and/or the social security number or will tell you they have this information and can you please tell it to them so they can verify it. When it comes to senior citizens and fraud, romantic scams are also very common. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. They are not scams. For information about these plans and benefits and an enrollment form, visit retireehealth.unionplus.org or call the Anthem First Impressions Welcome Team at (833) 371-1160. Also, if credit cards are involved, you should report the activity to the seniors financial institution. On the other hand, if their financial situation is not that good, they easily fall victim to deceitful promises of getting rich quickly. Read the signs that a caregiver is stealing from you. Medicare plans are usually costly, so people are always looking for more affordable plans that dont cost much. Advise them not to make any impulse buys, especially if someone is pressuring them into making a quick decision. Another major reason that can keep older people from going to the doctor is the fear of being seen. If you suspect an incentive program is a scam, you should always check the official government site and contact them to double-check the information. We represent over 150 leading insurance carriers. , Read More: 10 Myths and Misconceptions About Working With an Insurance Agent. Today's top 11 Senior Berater jobs in Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Healthcare Scams In a healthcare scam, elderly people will get a phone call saying something like they need a new Medicare card or health insurance card in order to get medical care. In this case, the company used an image of a senior incapacitated at home without a quick way to get emergency help. , It can be a scary world out there, but the best offense is a great defense. Once they access your data, its hard to protect yourself. This type of fraud is one of the most common senior citizen phone scams and allows perpetrators to easily get away with the scam because there is no face-to-face interaction or paper trail. You can also check the BBB Scam Tracker (https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker) that exposes scammers. There has been an unfortunate trend of romance scams being targeted towards the elderly. t our company, nor are they affiliated with us in any form, Medicare Out of Network (Advantage Plan Confusion), Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage (Pros and Cons), 13511 Label Ln #204, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Lastly, if you think that you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement agencies to file a criminal complaint. I often will put the callers phone number into my internet browser or do a Google search on the phone number and, many times, it will come up as a reported scam phone number. Anytime you receive any form of information (text, phone call, mail or email) from your financial institution, do not provide that source with any information. The Federal Trade Commission is the primary agency collecting scam reports. This service is set up by phone: Call to Learn more: 1-800-839-3498. Medicare Scam Phone Calls That Seniors Should Avoid Need help? Claims that sound too good to be true, like losing weight while eating as much as you want. You can also save the official phone number of your social security agent. Veteran-Specific Financial Assistance. Or they may be told there is a discount on their insurance if they act on the phone call immediately. Older victims go through a lot of pain, trying to recover from social security scams. Some businesses dont even deliver any drugs after they collect your money. This is because they are easier to trick over phone calls or through emails. This is not unusual, and so the scam isnt apparent. Every Friday. I don't know about any of you guys, but I keep getting these phone calls on my cell phone for a place called senior benefits. It is also known as the Free Skin Cancer Screening Scam. Senior Benefits Center was founded to assist and service the growing senior population. Sometimes instead of asking for some sort of payment, scammers ask for credit card details or some other type of personal information, so always remember that nothing comes for free! Clark's Consumer Action Center (CAC) receives calls, from time to time, from people who have fallen for romance scams. D. Dowser Dude of US. They take advantage of sick, elderly people and steal their money. So read on to learn how to protect yourself! As we shut them down, they change their techniques, and the cycle continues. Forbes.com. Fraudsters cash in on this by offering fake job listings. Below are some guaranteed ways that scammers prey on innocent seniors: This is one of the most common ways in which financial crimes are committed against senior people. Scammers are always looking for ways to different ways to defraud people just for their selfish gain. To get this credit card, they need to pay an annual fee and give their personal information, such as social security number and bank information. Another way a funeral scam operates is where the scammers set up fake funeral homes offering to take care of your entire burial arrangements. This amazing offer usually has a time limit, and people are asked to place a down payment as soon as possible. The funeral scam also has many variations. Then theyll try to make you give out your personal information like your social security number. Finally, legitimate medical dispensaries would always require a signed prescription from your dosage. Esther C. Kane, C.D.S. If a fraudster has your social security number, they can steal your identity and take all your savings. Sadly, people are willing to use these sad situations as a way to defraud seniors. You should note that anyone can easily find your address on the internet, which isnt valid proof. Do not give anyone your money or access to your bank information no matter the situation, except if you receive legal counsel to do so. If you suspect such a thing, you can do several things to report it, including: Older people have been facing a lot of scams. The latitude of Leverkusen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is 51.033333 , and the longitude is 6.983333 . Thats a tough offer for seniors on a fixed income to turn down, and so, many seniors jump at the chance to get something for free. They aim to get your money by selling faulty products. Theyll say youre in trouble with the law, but the only way out is if you pay some fine. Tax deductions. Our advisors only contact those individuals by phone who have either been referred to us personally or sent a request to be contacted. These scammers get you to buy their product by offering incentives like free grocery gift cards. If you receive a Medicare scam call, hang up. Diabetes and Insulin: A Guide to Paying . 2. In an action regarding counterfeit websites, the FTC sued the unknown operators of numerous websites, which played on consumers COVID-19 pandemic fears to trick them into paying for Clorox and Lysol products that the defendants never delivered.. Because many Medicare recipients have received new Medicare cards since 2018, scam calls encouraging the activation of these cards are on the rise. Call 888-626-0439 now and speak to one of our friendly representatives about the options you may qualify for. What we have been able to determine based on all the calls that we are receiving from consumers is that this telemarketing group is calling for multiple products that include burial plots, medical alert equipment, and even final expense life insurance. Thanks to her curiosity and thirst for knowledge, Miras articles are well-researched and informative, but also intriguing and absorbing. Identity theft can occur through emails, telephone calls, or even through personal stories. You can avoid fake charities by looking for some warning signs. Senior benefits services make life easier and better for older adults in several ways. Not all of these ads and websites are fake, but most are. You can check the official website of the Social Security Agency (SSA) to learn more. Prescription Drug Assistance. It could be physical abuse or financial abuse, the most common being financial abuse. For many of our clients, the voice at the other end of the Friendship Line is the connection they never expected to have - and at a time when they need it most. Healthcare scams are widespread and not always obvious. Bernley_421 4 mo. This elderly scam is focused on todays society putting tremendous stress on physical appearance, many older people give their best to look younger than they actually are. Trying to create a sense of panic . The place to dump all kinds of scam numbers to prank call them and to spread awareness against such scammers. The company targets customers above the age of 50 who are interested in covering final expenses including funeral, burial, cremation, and other costs. You shouldnt share critical information about yourself with anyone unless youre a well-trusted person. Senior discounts can save you substantial amounts of money 10% to 80% off the normal price of a wide range of goods and services, including restaurant meals, travel and even prescription drugs. You should not share your Medicare number or any other personal information with anyone who contacts you over the phone, unless you have arranged the conversation in advance. You should also contact your financial advisor before paying any debt collector. You should also be wary of ads offering to help you with funeral and cemetery plans. In these scams, perpetrators would meet the spouse or family of the deceased and pose as debt collectors. Personally, I differentiate between "booty call" or "hook-up" that are just for sex and "friend with benefits" (FWB) that includes a caring, strong friendship along with good sex. Archived Conference Calls. https://SeniorSavingsNetwork.org 1-800-729-9590 Call 24 hrsChris was interviewed again in the news about another Medicare scam affecting seniors across the . However, you can easily carry out background checks on these Medicare offers to discover if theres a scam. Healthcare plans are helpful because they provide you with a more secure and accessible way of taking care of your medical needs. The average loss is estimated to be around $34,200 per senior (this number could be even higher, as many seniors are embarrassed to report having been scammed and dont contact authorities). In 2013 alone, the FDA shut down 1,677 websites offering counterfeit prescription drugs or drugs without appropriate safeguards. You can ask for the phone number, then type that phone number into your search engine and see if it matches the phone number for the business. For example, my dad had very mild dementia. For more information, please see our Donation programs set up to help pay for a babys funeral. Here, fraudsters send emails pretending to be from your social security company. They sell faulty medical products to seniors by attracting them with certain perks. One Call Away. MassHealth for Seniors and People who need Long-Term-Care Services. Legit got some Nigerian scammers to FaceTime with me Needless to say my life has yet to be ruined, Amazon prime video support: (845) 205-4550, Norton Subscription 877-710-7072 (active). They should also be wary of unsolicited calls or emails asking for money. For instance, scamming elderly people often includes sending them emails asking them to update or verify their personal information on a bogus website. You should also consult your friends and family before you buy any strange product. The newest scam practice now involve the use of voice activated devices such as Siri, Alexa and Google Home. They would threaten to take legal actions and involve higher authorities like the police. Funeral homes that require full payment upfront. Scroll down to use the tabs menu below to learn what is available to you or call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). Senior benefits calls By ElicBxn @ElicBxn (62600) United States August 29, 2022 9:59am CST I worked for the State of Texas for 25 years. A free inside look at company reviews and salaries posted anonymously by employees. If you see a personal number, REPORT the post and/or DM a moderator. Even "free" trial offers may scam you. This way, perpetrators easily take advantage of unsuspecting older adults, who may even work for months before finding out that they have been scammed. Some scammers see this as an excellent opportunity to capitalize on peoples vanity, so this is another elder fraud abuse. is a certified Senior Home Safety Specialist and a CARES Dementia Specialist (C.D.S.). If you get unsolicited emails, messages, or calls that are supposedly from the IRS, a state unemployment benefits agency, Treasury Department, and so on, initiate a separate means of communication. You may not realize that youre falling for a scam because of how genuine the details may seem. I think they continue to call me so much because I mess with them when they call. They may also create a false sense of urgency, telling their victim that they need the money for medical expenses or to pay off debts. Robins Tip: I might also add that it is wise for adult children to check in with their senior parents frequently about their financial decisions. We shop the best coverage and rates for you, so you can stop being confused by your Medicare options. Grocery . Google and Amazon are working to stop this type of scam but of course, it all takes time. It works like this: call by a call center that ask a few questions like age, beneficiary, name, and address, then transfer to a broker that checks if you can qualify by asking you several health-related questions, then transfer to a real health insurance company ( Humana, Mutual of Omaha, etc) Caution: Fraudulent Calls Impersonating "American Senior Benefits" We have received numerous complaints of calls from someone claiming to be from "American Senior Benefits" or "Senior Benefits Services", in violation of the federal Do-Not-Call list and other laws. Once these thieves have access to your critical information, theres no limit to the damage they can do. Fake telemarketing is unfortunately pretty successful with older people. Its highly recommended not to give your personal information, such as social security number and bank account information, over the phone or online. In addition, if you feel like youre being pressured to donate, its possibly a scam. Scammers have come up with numerous fake investment options that seem tempting to senior citizens. Many seniors feel isolated as they might not be in contact with their family members. This article aims to help you learn how these scammers operate and what some of these senior scams are. The best thing to do is to never answer the phone and simply let it go to voicemail. If you are an older person who is looking for love online, it is important to be aware of this scam. If Medicare offices need to contact you, you will likely receive an official letter at your primary address prompting you to set up an appointment to talk with a representative. She also graduated from Florida International University with a BS in Occupational Therapy. Either they send you the money in the form of a check. These emails ask you to urgently give your personal information and security numbers to avoid losing your money. Its sad to say, but these often pop up after a tragic event and/or a major disaster such as a hurricane or bombing, etc. Since the rise of covid-19, there are a few types of fraud that have been circulating related to the coronavirus pandemic. As a subscriber, you'll receive videos, free downloadable resources, and educational content straight to your email inbox. Bill Weber and Ken Cook have been partnering together for over 20 years here in the Santa Cruz area. July 12, 2022. Therefore, scammers are aware that they are likely to get away with it. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Professional caregivers provide help for seniors living alone that may be burdensome for families in the long-term. As older people are trying to find medications at lower prices, scammers set up an online sale of drugs that are often counterfeit. 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