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From Our Executive Director’s Desk

Scammers who target seniors were very active in 2018.  Most of these scams have been around for many years.  Why?  Because they work and the scammers get away with it.  Here are some to watch out for in 2019, along with my best tip: HANG UP before they can get to your money! Your phone rings… You won the lottery! HANG UP!  It’s a SCAM! Your grandchild is in trouble and needs you to wire money or get a gift card. HANG UP!  It’s a SCAM! You qualify for free home improvements-solar, roof, windows, ‘cool wall’ paint. HANG UP!  It’s a SCAM! The IRS calls to say you owe back taxes. HANG UP!  It’s a SCAM! Medicare is calling because you need to pay for a new Medicare card. HANG UP!  It’s a SCAM! If you have a question about a call, a letter, or a contract, contract Elder Law & Advocacy before you open your wallet.  An attorney will advise you free of charge.  For an appointment call...

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Scam Alert

NEW MEDICARE CARDS GIVE SCAMMERS NEW IDEAS According to the Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), new Medicare cards will be mailed out beginning in April 2018.  The new cards contain a unique, randomly assigned number that replaces the current Social Security-based number. “The goal of the initiative to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards is to help prevent fraud, combat identity theft, and safeguard taxpayer dollars,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. Good news, right?  This is very good news for beneficiaries who want more protection.  However, according to the AARP Fraud Watch Network, the proposed change presented an opening to scammers.  Scammers went to work as soon as they learned about the rollout of the new cards. Here are some of the ways scammers have tried to use the new card rollout to scam Medicare beneficiaries: Calling and claiming to be from Medicare- The caller states that Congress requires a fee for the new card and it must come directly...

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Scam Alerts

SCAMS AND FRAUD SCHEMES OPERATING IN OUR COMMUNITIES   [CREATING POVERTY FOR OLDER ADULTS SERIES] When older individuals are scammed out of their savings, retirement and other funds, the logical result is a decrease in money needed to live.  This would be the case for anyone, but for a person who is not able to work anymore, there is no way to make up for what has been lost.  The result is a lower standard of living for some and for others, poverty. Once the money is gone, in many cases, it is very difficult to get it back.  As the old saying goes-‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. CURRENT SCAM-FALSE FAXES AND EERIE EMAILS The problem: You got a fax or an email from someone who needs your help. How did it happen?  Scammers and fraudsters have gotten your fax or email address without your permission! What is the ‘pitch’? In return for a fantastic sum of money, you help out by becoming the...

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Scam Alert

Alertas De Estafa/Fraude Para Adultos ¡Cuidado- Instalaciones De Energía Solar Pueden Ponerlo En Riesgo! El Problema: Usted decidió instalar tecnología de energía solar o obtuvo un nuevo calentador de agua o instalo pasto sintético o ventanas de energía eficiente pero ahora tiene una cuenta de impuestos propietarios. Esto Es Lo Que Puede Pasar: Usted recibe una visita de alguien que le ofrece ayuda para reducir sus cuentas de energía o agua. Le pueden decir que ayudaría al medio ambiente. Le dicen que es un “programa patrocinado por el gobierno”. El individuo ofreciéndole estos servicios insiste en que es totalmente gratis, especialmente para adultos mayores. Usted obtuvo la mejora energética pero el producto fue deficiente, la instalación fue mala, y le dañaron su propiedad durante la instalación. ¡Usted se atrasa en sus cuentas propietarias y está en riesgo de juicio hipotecario! Que Hacer: ¡Tome su tiempo antes de firmar! ASEGURESE DE PEDIR UNA COPIA POR ESCRITO DE TODOS LOS DOCUMENTOS PARA LEERLOS ANTES DE AUTORIZAR CUALQUIER TRABAJO  EN SU PROPIEDAD....

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Alertad De Estafa/Fraude Para Adultos

Tarjetas De Crédito Para Usos Médicos- Utilícelas Con Cuidado Ayuda! Mi dentista dice que necesito trabajo dental valorado en miles de dólares y el trabajo no es cubierto por mi aseguranza! Cuando gastos inesperados ocurren y el/la paciente simplemente no tiene el dinero suficiente para pagar por ellos, un proveedor de cuidado de salud le pudiera sugerir una tarjeta de crédito especial para ese tipo de gastos. Un consumidor angustiado pudiera considerar este tipo de opción a crédito, cual es ofrecida a los pacientes en la oficina del proveedor. Estas tarjetas de crédito médicas cubrirán parte del gasto, pero no vienen sin ningún riesgo. Estas tarjetas ofrecen no tener intereses por el término inicial. Al finalizar el término inicial, el usuario de la tarjeta debió de haber pagado el balance en completo. Si el prestatario no ha pagado el balance completo al acabarse el termino inicial, todo el interés junto con la deuda restante se convierten a deuda y estas tarjetas especiales incluyen un interés muy alto de alrededor...

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Scam Alert

HEALTH-CARE CREDIT CARDS-USE WITH CAUTION Help!  My dentist says I need thousands of dollars’ worth of dental work and it’s not covered by my insurance! When unexpected expenses come up and a patient just doesn’t have the money to pay for it, a healthcare provider may suggest a special credit card for these expenses.  A distressed consumer may turn to this type of credit option, which is offered to a patient at the provider’s office.  These health-care credit cards will cover part or all of the expense, but they are not without risk. These cards can offer “no interest” for the initial term.  At the end of the initial term, the card user must have paid the balance off in full.  If the borrower has not paid the entire balance off in full by the end of that initial term, all of the interest along with the unpaid balance becomes due and these special cards can have a very high interest rate-a rate of 26.99% has been reported by...

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