Another Garden Isle resident is reporting an attempted phone scam that seems to target elderly recipients of Medicare. Carol Ranger, of Kapa‘a, said she and her husband have a police background, and it is not the first time that they
Another Garden Isle resident is reporting an attempted phone scam that seems to target elderly recipients of Medicare.
Carol Ranger, of Kapa‘a, said she and her husband have a police background, and it is not the first time that they have had scam calls. However, this concerned her because the scammers seemed to be targeting vulnerable people.
“Someone called and said he was from Medicare, and that if I had back problems, or knee problems or arthritis that I was entitled to free equipment,” Ranger said. “They wanted me to give them my Medicare number so that they could ‘connect me to a company nearby’ to deliver the equipment.”
Ranger said that her Medicare number is also her Social Security number, and that she knew well enough not to provide sensitive information over the phone to a caller. Even if they claim to be from an agency or company they have an account with, she knew that it is not standard practice to receive “cold calls.”
The caller even suggested that if her spouse needed assistance that equipment also be acquired for him. That would have been two Social Security numbers, she said.
“This was a total scam,” Ranger said. “They said that as a Medicare patient I was entitled to spine equipment and a cushion that I could take anywhere to help raise myself up from the couch if had trouble standing.”
When Ranger questioned the caller, he went on to say he represented Medicare and poured on the charm to say how much he wanted to help her and that “Medicare does this all the time.”
When she pressed for more information about the call and asked to speak to his supervisor, she said the caller abruptly said “you obviously don’t want this so forget it,” and hung up.
The caller had a slight accent, but spoke English well, she said.The number that showed for the caller on her phone was (849) 963-4896. She returned the call and a message said it was not a working number.
Ranger called Medicare and was informed that they would not contact consumers through cold calls and not ask for a Social Security number over the phone.
The Better Business Bureau of Cleveland reported similar Medicare scams across several states in November 2012. Suspicious callers were seeking sensitive identity information with false offers of alternative discount medical programs after telling seniors that their Medicare card was expiring.
Callers sometimes search for information about their victims from public databases. It makes it easier to make the calls seem legitimate, according to the BBB. Once the information is provided, it is easier to for the fraudulent transaction to take place on the victim’s account. Victims that provided information reported unauthorized debits on their accounts.
Medicare and Medicaid issued press releases to note that they do not call to update information or issue a new cards. Those who receive such calls should hang up and report them to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General at oig.hhs.gov or call 1 (800) 447-8477.
The Social Security Administration reports similar fraud with unknown callers claiming to be SSA employees. Some of the callers attempt to sell insurance and request personal information, including birth dates.
Other BBB tips include:
•Be suspicious of any door-to-door or telephone solicitations claiming to be affiliated with Medicare.
•Be wary of anyone offering you something for “free” in exchange for your Medicare number. Medicare will not pay for medical equipment without a physician’s signature certifying that it is necessary.
•Do not provide your bank account information, Medicare number, Social Security number or any other personal information to unknown individuals over the phone; particularly telephone marketers claiming to be from Medicare and asking for payment.
•Review medical bills, Medicare summary notices and insurance explanation of benefits for medical equipment or service charges that you did not incur. If you find unusual or questionable medical charges, contact your health care provider immediately.
•Only give your insurance/Medicare information to those who have provided you with medical services.
•Never sign blank Medicare insurance forms.
• Island Crime Beat is a weekly column that reflects on the current events and issues regarding the police, courts and criminal justice system of Kaua‘i.
