Protecting the Aging Population from Scams

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Generations Law Group

Posted on

Aug 31, 2022

Book/Edition

Massachusetts - Boston Metro West

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The Federal Trade Commission reports that each year aging Americans (ages 60+) lose hundreds of millions of dollars due to scams of varying types. Many everyday activities the aging population are involved in, such as telephone calls, emails, and other online interactions are being used as an entry point for scamming activity.

Proactive steps to avoid victimization

·         Estate planning with an elder law attorney can help put trusted loved ones in a position of authority to help protect the aging person from undue influences. Documents like Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, and Revocable or Irrevocable Trusts can all be valuable tools to create structure for when the aging adult is not able to make sound decisions for themselves.

·        A credit freeze (also known as a security freeze) does not allow a creditor to access your credit file, thus preventing someone from opening accounts in the victim’s name and may be an appropriate proactive step.

·        Review Statements from health insurance, banks, credit cards, IRA accounts, etc. should all be monitored closely for suspicious activity. Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits should be reviewed for incorrect charges and information.

·        Research whether the companies, offers, or phone call regarding “bills owed” are legitimate. Scammers usually try to force the aging person to “act now”. Slow down your reaction to be sure that the call, email, or letter are in fact real.

If you are a victim

·        Contact the bank/financial institution to let them know of a fraudulent or unauthorized charge. Ask them to give you your money back and reverse the charge.

·        Contact your local police department to notify them of the fraud.

·        Change the username and password for any affected online account and other account that you may use the same login information. Use a random password to make the account(s) less vulnerable. Use different passwords for different accounts and keep a record of your passwords in a safe place.

·        File a report, not only for your benefit but to possibly help prevent others from becoming a victim. A report can be made to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 












































 

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Medicare Fraud Prevention: Avoiding Health Care Scams

Seniors as well as their caregivers should be aware of the risks posed by Medicare scams and how to avoid falling victim to this type of fraud.Each year, Medicare loses tens of billions of dollars to abuse and errors. Older adults who receive Medicare may be subject to this type of fraud perpetrated by identity thieves, scammers, and deceitful health care providers.Safeguard Yourself From Medicare ScamsTo start, there are several easy ways for you to lower your risk of being scammed in the first place.Dont share your Medicare number over the phone.Have your Medicare card with you only when necessary. Otherwise, leave it at home. (Think of it like a Social Security card or credit card and protect it in the same way.)Be aware that Medicare representatives will never come to your residence uninvited. They also will not call you out of the blue to verify your information or to offer free or low-cost equipment, such as a back or knee brace.Hold onto your receipts and bills from past medical appointments so that you can compare them to your Medicare statements.Always look through your Medicare Summary Notices when you receive them. Keep an eye out for any errors or discrepancies regarding services, tests, or medical supplies that you did not receive, or that you were charged for more than once. You can call your health care provider and ask them to explain a charge and, if necessary, you have the right to dispute charges that are wrong.Why Do I Need to Report Medicare Fraud?Medicare abuse is far from being victimless. Reporting fraud to the proper authorities is crucial to help stop it.If someone steals your Medicare card or number, you could receive bills for health services you did not receive or become a victim of identity theft.A health care provider who may be fraudulently charging you for services can spell trouble for more than your wallet. A dishonest provider could be misdiagnosing you or even subjecting you to treatments or services you do not need or that could potentially negatively impact your health. Sometimes, billing errors are made by accident, but if you find that your provider makes these types of mistakes frequently, it may signal a potential case of fraud.Ultimately, fraud that goes unchecked can lead to higher Medicare costs for you as the consumer.What to Do If You Suspect Medicare AbuseThere are a number of options for reporting incidents that you suspect may constitute Medicare fraud:Call the Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or file your complaint online.Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report suspected abuse by a Medicare provider.In addition, each state (and the District of Columbia) has a dedicated Senior Medicare Patrol, or SMP. This service can monitor your Medicare account for fraud and TBD. Search online for your local SMP.Experienced elder law attorneys are also equipped to help protect you from abuse. Contact Sharek Law Office at 412-347-1731 or click here to schedule a complimentary 15-Minute Call to learn how we can help. This article is a service of Sharek Law Office, LLC. We dont just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life and Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than youve ever been before, and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life and Legacy Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge. Please note this is educational content only and is not intended to act as legal advice.

Elder Fraud and Scams: A Growing Problem and How to Protect Yourself

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Once they gain access to the computer, they can steal personal information or install malware.2.     Grandparent Scams: Scammers will call seniors posing as their grandchild, claiming to be in trouble and in need of money. They will ask the senior to wire money or purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers to the scammer.3.     Sweepstakes Scams: Scammers will call or send mail to seniors claiming that they have won a sweepstakes or lottery. They will ask for payment of taxes or fees before releasing the winnings, but the winnings never materialize.4.     Medicare Scams: Scammers will call seniors claiming to be Medicare representatives and ask for personal information, such as their Social Security number, in order to send them a new Medicare card. They will then use this information to commit identity theft. Scammers may use a sense of urgency to try to pressure the elderly into making quick decisions. 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By educating oneself about the different types of scams and taking steps to prevent them, elderly individuals and their loved ones can protect themselves from becoming victims. Reporting scams to the appropriate authorities is an important step in preventing further fraud and holding scammers accountable for their actions. Elder fraud and scams are a growing problem, and seniors need to take steps to protect themselves.  Reporting Elder Fraud and Scams in Texas If an elderly individual believes that they have been the victim of a scam, it is important to report it immediately. In Texas, individuals can report fraud or scams to the Texas Attorney General's office or to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. 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Local Services By This Author

Generations Law Group

Estate Planning 111 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, Massachusetts, 01776

Protecting Today What Matters TomorrowGenerations Law Group provides comprehensive legal services for the Sandwich Generation in matters such as: Crisis Planning Long-Term Care & MassHealth (Medicaid) Planning Estate Planning Guardianship & Conservatorship Probate & Trust AdministrationFounded by a Nurse Attorney, Generations Law Group has over 20 years experience and has been the trusted source for expert legal advice. We find many people want the peace of mind that comes from legally protecting their most cherished assets: their health and the financial future of their family. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand the potential impact many life events can have on your estate and long-term planning. We help you do this by compassionately listening and responding to your needs. We serve you with three offices conveniently located at 179 Great Road, Suite 109, Acton, MA 111 Boston Post Road, Suite 101, Sudbury, MA1500 District Avenue, Burlington, MATo learn how we can help you and all the Generations of your family, call us at 978-263-0006 or visit our website www.GenerationsLawGroup.com.

Generations Law Group

Guardianship/Conservatorship 111 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, Massachusetts, 01776

Protecting Today What Matters TomorrowGenerations Law Group provides comprehensive legal services for the Sandwich Generation in matters such as: Crisis Planning Long-Term Care & MassHealth (Medicaid) Planning Estate Planning Guardianship & Conservatorship Probate & Trust AdministrationFounded by a Nurse Attorney, Generations Law Group has over 20 years experience and has been the trusted source for expert legal advice. We find many people want the peace of mind that comes from legally protecting their most cherished assets: their health and the financial future of their family. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand the potential impact many life events can have on your estate and long-term planning. We help you do this by compassionately listening and responding to your needs. We serve you with three offices conveniently located at 179 Great Road, Suite 109, Acton, MA 111 Boston Post Road, Suite 101, Sudbury, MA1500 District Avenue, Burlington, MATo learn how we can help you and all the Generations of your family, call us at 978-263-0006 or visit our website www.GenerationsLawGroup.com.

Generations Law Group

Elder Law 111 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, Massachusetts, 01776

Protecting Today What Matters TomorrowGenerations Law Group provides comprehensive legal services for the Sandwich Generation in matters such as: Crisis Planning Long-Term Care & MassHealth (Medicaid) Planning Estate Planning Guardianship & Conservatorship Probate & Trust AdministrationFounded by a Nurse Attorney, Generations Law Group has over 20 years experience and has been the trusted source for expert legal advice. We find many people want the peace of mind that comes from legally protecting their most cherished assets: their health and the financial future of their family. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand the potential impact many life events can have on your estate and long-term planning. We help you do this by compassionately listening and responding to your needs. We serve you with three offices conveniently located at 179 Great Road, Suite 109, Acton, MA 111 Boston Post Road, Suite 101, Sudbury, MA1500 District Avenue, Burlington, MATo learn how we can help you and all the Generations of your family, call us at 978-263-0006 or visit our website www.GenerationsLawGroup.com.