Seniors Warned Of Scams Relating To Medicare & Affordable Care Act
DETROIT (WWJ) - As the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D approaches, America's older adults are reminded not to share personal details like social security numbers and bank account information with strangers.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says sometimes crooks pretend to be government representatives and ask for personal information with the intent of targeting your assets.
"The ones as it relates to Medicare or other things ... they'll take your information and then they'll bill for services that you never received, " said Bouchard. "So really, you may never notice or be aware and really the victim is the taxpayer ... not necessarily the senior."
Bouchard says that if at any time you're suspicious about a caller who is pitching you an opportunity that you feel is unrealistic, do not hesitate to call the police.
"Against the seniors we see where they share that information and then they in turn ... (use) credit cards in their name or they do certain purchases or they attempt to use their identity information to victimize them personally as it relates to their assets," said Bouchard.
The Better Business Bureauhas established a program called Senior Scene which encourages senior citizens to be on the lookout for scams targeting seniors and to report them to authorities.
Find more information from the Better Business Bureau - HERE.
