Illinois SMP Program Fraud Alerts

 

The Illinois SMP Program sends email Fraud Alerts every Friday. These alerts contain fraud-related news articles, information about current scams in Illinois or other parts of the United States, and useful healthcare or fraud-related resources. If you would like to be added to the Illinois SMP Fraud Alert email list, please contact:

Erin Weir, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator

Phone: (800)699-9043, (708)383-0258

TTY: (708)524-1653

Fax: (708)524-0870

erin.weir@ageoptions.org

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Illinois SMP Fraud Alert - May 14, 2010

Dear SMP readers,

Today’s Fraud Alert contains warnings about 2 scams reported this week, as well as several interesting news articles in the “Fraud in the News” section. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Erin Weir, MSW, LSW, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator

AgeOptions

1048 Lake Street, Suite 300

Oak Park, IL 60301

phone (708)383-0258 fax (708)524-0870

erin.weir@ageoptions.org

ageoptions.org

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Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you have any questions about the Illinois SMP program, or to receive these Fraud Alerts directly, please contact Erin Weir, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator at AgeOptions.

What you will find in this week’s Fraud Alert

• Disenrollment Phone Scam
• Fake AOL Email Scam
• Fraud in the News

Disenrollment Phone Scam

A Medicare prescription drug plan company (RxAmerica) recently reported that one of their members had experienced a scam phone call. The member received a phone call from someone claiming to be from RxAmerica, telling her that she was going to be disenrolled from her prescription drug plan unless she went to the following address: 1127 SUNSET BLVD LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA 90026

RxAmerica told the member that they do not make calls like this, and they aren’t familiar with that address. Nor was the member in any danger of losing her coverage. The phone number that the person called from was 213-261-5588; when the member called that number, it simply prompted her to leave a voicemail. RxAmerica verified that the phone number belongs to a company called INFO TELECOM (www.infotelecom.us). RxAmerica doesn’t have any relationship with this company. It is also possible that the caller simply ‘spoofed’ this number, so this may not be the true origination point of the call, either.

This member made a good choice – instead of going to the address as instructed by the caller, she hung up the phone and contacted RxAmerica herself, to verify the information. By doing so, she likely avoided potential theft, identity theft, or other harm.

 

Fake AOL Email Scam

One of our SMP coordinators recently received information about an AOL email scam. The email states that AOL has been unable to charge the person’s credit card as usual and included a form that the person should fill out. This form asked for personal information, including passwords and Social Security number. AOL verified that this is a scam.

Please remember to never click on links or open attachments in emails unless you are certain that you know who the email came from and what the attachment is. Also, do not send personal information via email, or give it to anyone who solicits via email, on the phone, or at the door.

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Fraud In The News

The following are current news articles about health care and fraud issues.

Health Care Fraud:

1. "Remarks as Prepared for Delivery By Deputy Attorney General Gary G. Grindler at the National Institute on Health Care Fraud": http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/remarks-as-prepared-for- delivery-by-acting-deputy-attorney-general-gary-g-grindler-at-the-national-institute-on-health-care-fraud-93688889.html

2. “Stepped Up Medicare Fraud Enforcement Snags $2.5 Billion”: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ ALeqM5gVyFvPO6tDLsg228D_xK6c123SvAD9FM0LN02

3. “Medicare Fraud Risk Created By Billing Loophole”: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/05/10/gvsa0510.htm

4. “Scammers’ New Weapon: Health Care Reform”: http://www.pickenssentinel.com/view/full_story/7292176/article-Scammers --New-Weapon--Health-Care-Reform? instance=secondary_opinion_left_column

5. Dr. Peter Gott “Healthy Living Column – “Is a Canadian Drug Company Reputable” (ran in several local Illinois papers today): http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/lifestyles/gott/ 2270410,3_7_GOTT_S1-100514.article

Consumer Fraud:

6. "AARP Scam Alert: Beware the Golden Fleece": http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/scamalert/articles/scam_alert _beware_the_golden_fleece.2.html

7. “No Free Lunch” (AARP article about becoming a Free Lunch Monitor):
http://www.aarp.org/money/consumer/articles/_no_free_lunch.html

8. “Well, I’ll be Crammed” (AARP Magazine article about ‘cramming’ charges on your phone bill):
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/money/ronburley.html

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Fraud Alerts contain information about current scams taking place in Illinois, announcements and updates about programs or services related to health care and/or fraud protection, and links to news articles about health care and fraud topics. Please forward any recommendations or announcements that you would like to be included in a future Fraud Alert to erin.weir@ageoptions.org.

AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, is committed to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity of older adults and those who care about them – through leadership and support, community partnerships, comprehensive services, accurate information and powerful advocacy.

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