Medicare Recipients Solicited for Money, Bank Information
Posted on: Saturday, 17 June 2006, 06:00 CDT
By Bob Lamendola, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Jun. 17--An old telephone scheme targeting Medicare recipients is back with a new wrinkle, prompting the government Friday to warn seniors to be careful.
The callers claim to be selling a new type of Medicare card for $379, $365 or $350. They try to persuade seniors to send money or turn over Social Security and bank account numbers, allowing the scammers to electronically withdraw the victim's money, federal officials said.
The scheme is a variant of an older one called "$299 ring," in which callers were selling memberships in a bogus Medicare drug plan. Officials said Medicare has referred about 250 complaints on the schemes to federal law enforcement for possible prosecution, eight of them from Florida.
"It's happening nationwide," Medicare spokeswoman Mary Millman said. "They're trying to get into people's bank accounts."
During a speech in Fort Lauderdale last month, a Medicare fraud chief said South Florida was a top target for schemes, including the $299 ring.
More than 2.5 million of the 3 million Floridians enrolled in Medicare now have prescription drug coverage through Medicare's new program, other federal programs, employers or other sources. That's the second highest number among the 50 states, behind California.
The latest phone scheme offers Medicare benefit cards from fictitious companies named Pharma Corp., National Medical Office, Medicare National Office and National Medicare.
The government offered these tips to recognize scammers:
No one legitimately selling Medicare plans can come to your home uninvited or ask for your personal details.
Do not give out your Medicare or bank numbers unless you initiated the contact.
Legitimate drug plans will not ask for payment over the phone or Internet. They must send a bill.
Beneficiaries can arrange to have drug plan costs paid automatically from their Social Security checks or bank accounts, but only they can set it up.
If you suspect fraud or have been a victim, call 877-772-3379.
Bob LaMendola can be reached at blamendola@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4526 or 561-243-6600, ext. 4526.
-----
Copyright (c) 2006, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Related Articles
- WellCare to Continue Offering Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans to North Dakota Medicare Recipients in 2008
- WellCare to Continue Offering Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans to Tennessee Medicare Recipients in 2008
- WellCare to Continue Offering Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans to Rhode Island Medicare Recipients in 2008
- WellCare to Continue Offering Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans to Illinois Medicare Recipients in 2008
- WellCare to Continue Offering Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans to Missouri Medicare Recipients in 2008
- Humana Receives Highest Ranking By J.D. Power and Associates in Medicare Part D Member Satisfaction in Florida; Humana's Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Cited As Highest Ranked Among Competitors in Florida Region
- MemberHealth to Renew National Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 2007
- Medicare Mess ; New Drug Plans: Prescription for Confusion
- Humana Signs Its First Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Beneficiary
- Torchmark Corporation Subsidiary United American Receives Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans Approval From CMS
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds