IMPORTANT:This is not a comprehensive list
of Senior Scams currently circulating.
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CHECK WITH THE
NEVADA
STATE
CONTRACTORS BOARD BEFORE HIRING A LICENSED CONTRACTOR
The Nevada State Contractors Board is committed to protecting senior
citizens from unlicensed contractors. Seniors are commonly targeted
because they are more trusting. Although hiring an unlicensed contractor
may be less expensive, the end result can be more damaging. The Nevada
State Contractors Board has an ongoing commitment to educate senior citizens
statewide through its Community Watch Program. For more information on
this program, or to answer questions about hiring a qualified, licensed
contractor, please contact the Nevada State Contractors Board at (702) 486-1100
or in
The Nevada State Contractors Board is committed to promoting integrity and
professionalism in the construction industry in
TELEPHONE FRAUD INVOLVING JURY DUTY
Washington, D.C. - The FBI today is providing a warning to the public against an ongoing scheme involving jury service. The public needs to be aware that individuals identifying themselves as U.S. court employees have been telephonically contacting citizens and advising them that they have been selected for jury duty. These individuals ask to verify names and Social Security numbers, then ask for credit card numbers. If the request is refused, citizens are then threatened with fines.
The judicial system does not contact people telephonically and ask for personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth or credit card numbers. If you receive one of these phone calls, do not provide any personal or confidential information to these individuals. This is an attempt to steal or to use your identity by obtaining your name, Social Security number and potentially to apply for credit or credit cards or other loans in your name. It is an attempt to defraud you.
If you have already been contacted and have already given out your personal information, please monitor your account statements and credit reports, and contact your local FBI office. Local FBI field office telephone numbers can be found in the front of your local telephone directory or on www.fbi.gov. For further information, please review the warnings posted on the U.S. Courts website at www.uscourts.gov, "Newsroom" news article "WARNING: Bogus Phone Calls on Jury Service May lead to Fraud," August 19, 2005.
IDENTITY THEFT
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
WORD Version
PDF Version
What to Do if You are a Victim of Identity Theft
WORD Version
PDF Version
Ways to Avoid Identity Theft - Contact List
WORD Version
PDF Version
Medicare Part D (prescription) - Extra Assistance
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has and will be sending out applications to those who may be eligible for extra help in paying for prescription drugs under the new Medicare law. As people begin to complete and return these applications, SSA employees may contact them by phone if their applications are incomplete, or if SSA has questions about any of the information they gave on their applications.
The SSA reminds the public that, if one of its employees should call as part of their official duties, he/she will not ask you to provide your social security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, or other identifiers. SSA employees who need to know this information already have it. Please DO NOT give any personal identifiers to someone who calls you. Don't become a victim of fraud!
If you feel something is wrong, contact the Social Security’s Reporting Fraud Web site or call 1-800-447-8477.
If you received an empty envelope from SSA, please call 1-800-MEDICAR[E] and an operator will explain the error, mail you the application or help you over the phone.
Medicare Beneficiaries Urged to be on the Look-out for Phone Scams
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) warns seniors and people with disabilities to be aware of a scheme that asks Medicare beneficiaries for money and checking account information to help them enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. This scheme is called the "$299 Ring" for the typical amount of money Medicare beneficiaries are talked into withdrawing from their checking accounts to pay for a non-existent prescription drug plan. Consumers can report these cases to their local law enforcement agencies or 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). Medicare has received complaints from Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts New Jersey and Georgia. Complaints have been made against a number of different companies, but authorities believe that the companies are the same and are typically based outside the U. S. As soon as CMS receives these complaints, they are investigated and referred to federal law enforcement authorities. No Medicare drug plan can ask a person with Medicare for bank account or other personal information over the telephone. No beneficiary should ever provide that kind of information to a caller. They should contact their local police department if they believe someone is trying to take money or information from them illegally.
People with Medicare should also remember that they should be on the lookout for anyone trying to take advantage of them and take steps to protect themselves 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-MEDICAR(E) |
In addition, legitimate Medicare drug plans will not ask for payment over the telephone or the Internet. They must bill the beneficiary for the monthly premium. Typically, that amount is set up as an automatic withdrawal from the beneficiary’s monthly Social Security check. Beneficiaries may also opt to pay the monthly premiums in other ways such as writing a check or setting up automatic payments from their checking accounts.
Medicare Power Wheelchair and Scooter Fraud (from www.medicare.gov)
Medicare has become aware of fraud in the power wheelchair and scooter industry. Fraud is when Medicare is billed for services or equipment that you don't need or never got. Suppliers who offer power wheelchairs or scooters to people who don't meet Medicare coverage rules commit fraud. Medicare is taking steps to educate people about misuse of this benefit.
You can help by being aware of suppliers who:
| Offer you a free power wheelchair or scooter. |
| Want you to use their doctors. |
| Offer to waive coinsurance or Part B deductibles. |
| Recommend |
| Also be aware of calls from companies you didn't give your phone number to. |
Review any recommendations from suppliers with your own personal doctor. Your doctor is the best person to determine your medical needs.
Review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). This notice lists all services and supplies billed to Medicare for 30 days. If an item is different from the one you received or if you never received an item, contact the provider or supplier. Or contact the company that sent the MSN. Their number can be found on the front of the MSN.
To report suspected fraud contact the Medicare Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477.
For more Nevada insurance scams and red flags or for Insurance Company Verification, visit www.NVInsuranceAlert.com/scams/index.php.
Consumer Protection info: www.first.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml