INFORMATION ALERT: Scams Targeting Older Adults
MEDICARE PART D REBATE CHECK
The first is related to the Medicare part D rebate check. Any Medicare part D beneficiary who enters the donut hole, or coverage gap, during 2010 will automatically receive a rebate check in the amount of $250. Medicare has issued an alert that beneficiaries are being targeted both over the phone and door to door by persons offering to help get this rebate check for a small fee. The rebate check will be automatically issued to beneficiaries who enter the coverage gap and checks can be expected in the mail within approximately 45 days after entering the gap. Beneficiaries do not have to file any paperwork to receive the check and will not have to share any personal information to receive this rebate. Medicare has the information needed and will not be requesting additional information.
CALL FORWARDING SCAM
The second scam involves a common feature provided by most telephone companies, call forwarding. Prison inmates have devised a scam in which they are able to make collect calls by locating persons who have multiple phone lines listed in the directory. They will call each line in an attempt to find a fax line or computer tones. Details are unclear but they are then able to activate the call forwarding feature on that phone line, which is often unmonitored by the resident, and forward the call to the person they wish to reach. The fax or computer line is the line that is billed for the collect call, and the person they are trying to reach will not be charged. This is a widespread scam and so far AT&T has reimbursed over $200,000 in fraudulent charges of this nature. To avoid being targeted, you can request a collect call block from those phone lines. You can also request a PIN for your account so no one can activate features without entering a PIN. And as always, pay attention to the charges on your bill and notify the phone company of any suspicious activity on your account.