Initially, note that you should never give personal information to telemarketer callers. To help eliminate them, sign up for the Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov or 888 382 1222).
FREE GENETIC TESTING MEDICARE SCAM:
Medicare testing offers are everywhere. However, the bad guys have found a way to create havoc with something as simples as using Genetic testing to scam Medicare beneficiaries. You are cautioned to beware of telemarketing calls as well as tables or booths at public events or door to door visits that are the 2019 Scam of the day.
The scammers incorrectly advise the innocent schnook that the testing is free and covered by Medicare. However the truth is that Medicare doesn’t cover most procedures unless ordered by a doc. Thus, if Medicare is billed, and doesn’t pay, the poor schnook is responsible for the entire bill …which could be upwards of 10k. Sometimes the scammers are just trying to obtain the Medicare info to fraudulently bill for non-performed services.
Don’t accept genetic testing services that are not ordered by your doctor. If sent in the mail, do an Elvis and “Return to Sender”. It is also a good idea to review you EOB (Explanation of benefits) and see if the term Gene Analysis or Molecular Pathology is listed. It may be a clue to non-ordered genetic testing. If you are not sure contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) 877 808 2468 to detect Fraud etc.
SWEEPSTAKES:
“They’re back!” Just when you thought it was safe to enter a sweepstakes, the old scams are returning. They can come in several forms. Often they’re a takeoff on the Publishers Clearing House offers. The poor schnook gets a call they WON the Sweepstakes and need to send money to pay fees and taxes via wire transfers or gift cards redeemable for cash.
Another version is when the Win Notification includes a check. The “winner” is told they won an even bigger prize but to collect it, they need to send part of the check back to pay handling fees etc. The Con is that by the times the winner/schnooks bank determines the Winning Check is Worthless, the schnook sent money to the scammers.
CELEBRITY PHONE SCAMS:
Talented impersonators with the abilities of a Rich Little, will call for money, as if they were a celeb like Richard Branson, Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffet and Shania Twain. Before you send any money do some research and google the celebs name+Scam. In addition ask yourselves, why a celeb you don’t know is calling you.
AIRLINE BOARDING PASS:
Beware of your airline boarding pass. Don’t leave it on the plane. A hacker with a smart phone can scan the QR code and get all your info and change your pin.
Questions or ideas for future columns contact Dale Gribow 760-837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.
DALE GRIBOW
REPRESENTING THE INJURED AND CRIMINALLY ACCUSED
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