Marshall Parker & Associates - PA Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long Term Care Resource Center

Marshalll Parker & Associates - PA Elder Law, Estate Planning, Long Term Care Resource Center Elder Law Firm

Beware of Telephone Scams About Medicare Drug Benefits

Written By: Attorney Jeffrey A. Marshall, CELA*

Originally published in the Lock Haven Express & Hazleton Panorama (August 2006)

Con artists are trying to defraud older consumers through a number of telephone schemes related to the new Medicare drug benefit. The schemes attempt to capitalize on the confusion surrounding the federal government's new prescription drug program for seniors and disabled people.

The federal government reports that scammers are calling seniors with offers to give them a lifetime Medicare card for a fee. They typically ask for the consumer's bank account numbers. The callers may use fictitious company names, such as Pharma Corp., National Medical Office, Medicare National Office, and National Medicare.

Government officials say that seniors should not provide bank account or Medicare numbers to callers unless the senior initiated the contact. Legitimate Medicare drug plans will not send representatives to the homes of beneficiaries without an invitation or ask for payment over the telephone or Internet. Medicare beneficiaries should ask drug plans to mail bills.

Medicare has been receiving complaints from Pennsylvania as well as other states. While complaints have been made against several different companies, authorities believe that the companies are the same and are typically based outside the United States . Consumers can report these cases to their local law enforcement agencies or 1-877-772-3379.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the federal government remind older adults to protect themselves against scam artists by remembering:

    * No one can come into your home uninvited.

    * No one can ask you for personal information during their marketing activities.

    * Always keep all personal information, such as your Medicare number, safe, just as you would a credit card or a bank account number.

    * Whenever you have a question or concern about any activity regarding Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania seeking information about the new federal prescription drug benefit may contact the Department of Aging's APPRISE program, toll-free, at 1-800-783-7067.

Jeff Marshall is Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation and is the author of Elder Law in Pennsylvania. He is the managing attorney of the Elder Law Firm of Marshall & Associates with offices in Jersey Shore, Williamsport, Clarks Summit and Wilkes-Barre. He can be contacted at webmail@paelderlaw.com.

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