Friday, October 16, 2015

In This Issue

Look Out for Medicare Enrollment Fraud

Governor Proclaims October is Cyber Security Awareness Month

NPR Story Explains "Why Phone Fraud Starts with a Silent Call"

Fraud in the News

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

Health Care Fraud:

1. "Medical Biller Sentenced to 45 Months in Prison for Role in $4 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme" (DOJ)

2. "FTC Returns Money to Consumers Tricked into Buying Phony Health Insurance" (FTC)

Consumer Fraud:

3. "Scammers' Insults and Injury" (FTC)

4. "Door-to-Door Sales and the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule" (FTC)

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 Jason Echols, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator at AgeOptions.

This document was supported in part by a grant (No. 90MP0216) from the Administration on Aging (AoA), Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Grantees carrying out projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Therefore, points of view or opinions do not necessarily represent official AoA, ACL, or DHHS policy.

Dear SMP Readers,

This week's Fraud Alert features a new video from Medicare on enrollment fraud, a proclamation from the governor about Cyber Security Awareness month, and a story about the technology behind phone scams.

Have a great weekend!

Look Out for Medicare Enrollment Fraud

We are now in Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7). If you are on Medicare, this is your time to review your coverage options, including Part D, for the next year.

Medicare has a new video about fraud and marketing scams that happen during open enrollment. Check out their video below (https://youtu.be/iByQfda5PMo).

Medicare's "Look Out for Enrollment Fraud" Video

To view the video in Spanish, click here.

Governor Proclaims October Cyber Security Awareness Month

Governor Bruce Rauner has proclaimed October Cyber Security Awareness Month. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has joined the governor in encouraging Illinoisans to stay safe while online. Read the IEMA press release for more information and tips (click here).

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also has a number of resource you can share. Click here for the FTC #CyberAware blog post.

NPR Story Explains "Why Phone Fraud Starts with a Silent Call"

The National Public Radio (NPR) show All Tech Considered recently featured a story about phone scams and the technology that scammers are using. Click here to read and listen to the full story "Why Phone Fraud Starts with a Silent Call."

Many of the scams we see at SMP begin with a phone call. As suggested in this story, we always encourage people to just hang up. Do not engage with these robocalls or scammers. If the call says to "Press one to be removed from this calling list," do not press any numbers because that just lets the caller know that there is a live person on the other end of the line. Finally, never give personal information over the phone unless you have made the call to a trusted number (e.g., if you need to call your bank or credit, call the number on the back of your card).

AgeOptions Ideogram

Jason B. Echols, MSW,
Health Care Consumer Protection Coordinator
AgeOptions
1048 Lake Street, Suite 300
Oak Park, IL 60301
phone (708)383-0258 fax (708)524-0870
jason.echols@ageoptions.org

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.

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 jason.echols@ageoptions.org.