Scams Chang with the Seasons

Elliott Greenblott
AARP
It’s time to take an inventory of current scams as we move into the final months of the year. While some current scams can be viewed as “age specific,” others can impact nearly every demographic: Medicare, Charities, Home Winterization.

Medicare

Medicare recipients are likely aware that “Open Enrollment” for Medicare is taking place until December 15. For insurance companies this is a high stakes time. It is also a time when criminals are very active. Here are some tips for navigating the Open Enrollment landscape:

1. The best tool available for identifying coverage plans is the website medicare.gov which provides detailed information on all available plans in your state allowing comparisons of costs and benefits. Companies offering coverage often have several plans and while you can get details by contacting them directly, they will only tell you what they offer. The Medicare website saves you from contacting multiple companies. Also, expect numerous follow-up calls or messages from those companies if you contact them individually.

2. Criminals are seeking to take advantage of seniors by posing as Medicare agents. These imposters identify themselves as officials with Medicare and are looking for two things: money and information. A caller may state that there is a problem with your Medicare account, there are free benefits you can access, you are eligible a new Medicare card; the list goes on. Medicare DOES NOT contact beneficiaries by phone, text message, or email unless you have an existing connection or issue being addressed. If someone reaches out to you in any of these ways, report the contact by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). For detailed, accurate information, contact the Senior Medicare Patrol for your state: Massachusetts — [email protected] or 1-800-892-0890; New Hampshire — https://www.servicelink.nh.gov/fraud/index.htm or 1-866-634-9412; Vermont — https://www.vermontelders.org or 1-888-865-2683

Charities

Once again, we are in the season when charitable organizations are very active seeking donations. Natural disasters and wars dominate the headlines and join established groups in place for donations. You may want to do some research before donating. Does the charity really exist? Is the charity devoting donations to the good deeds it advocates or is the donation used for overhead such as salaries, benefits, operations, and other purposes? Before donating, visit a charity rating service: charitynavigator.org, give.org, charitywatch.org, or guidestar.org which provides answers to the questions listed here. Be aware charities that employ professional fundraisers. While the appeals for donations are legitimate, the actual amount of your donation going to the cause may be less than you believe. In some cases, the professional fundraiser keeps as much as 84% of the donation for their service fee and only 16% goes to accomplish the good deeds. If you receive a telephone solicitation, ask the caller two questions: Are you a paid, professional fundraiser, and what percentage of my donation will go to the charity?

Once again, criminals see opportunity. Be cautious when approached for donations, regardless of whether you are familiar with the charity or not. Legitimate charities will not ask for donations via Venmo, Zelle, cryptocurrency, or gift card, nor will they request personal information such as a Social Security number or driver’s license number.

Winterization

Beware of “contractors” who appear at your door “out of the blue.” The standard line is: “I see your driveway is in need of repair” or “I noticed that the paint is peeling on your home.” The story continues noting “we just finished a job on the other side of town and have enough left over materials to take care of your home.” The “contractor” only accepts cash and frequently wants an advance payment. Do some legwork before accepting this deal. Get specific references and contact information and contact local law enforcement to see if there is a problem in the community. Look for indications of professionalism; does the “contractor’s” truck have a business name or contact information displayed; do they have a business card? If the pieces do not fall in place, step away from the deal and report the situation to local law enforcement.

— Elliott Greenblott is a retired educator and coordinator of the AARP Vermont Fraud Watch Network. He hosts a CATV program, Mr. Scammer, distributed by GNAT-TV in Sunderland, VT – www.gnat-tv.org