Protect Against 3 Common Scams Targeting Seniors: Medicare, Prescription Drugs, Reverse Mortgage

Scams and fraud are a serious threat to seniors

Fraudsters destroy seniors’ lives by stealing their hard earned savings.

An estimated $36 billion is stolen each year and nearly 4 out of 10 older adults in the U.S. are affected by financial abuse.

Many seniors would never imagine that someone would lie and cheat to steal their money. By knowing about popular scams, you’ll be able to educate and warn them so they won’t be easily manipulated.

We explain how 3 senior scams based on Medicare fraud, fake prescription drugs, and reverse mortgages work and share prevention tips from the FBI.

3 common scams targeting seniors

1. Medicare or health care fraud
There are many ways scammers try to take advantage of the insurance system and stick unsuspecting seniors with a big bill or a long fight with their insurance company.

Watch out for:

• Medical equipment manufacturers offering “free” products. Insurance companies or Medicare are charged for products that were not needed and might not have been delivered.
• Unnecessary or fake tests given at health clubs, retirement homes, or shopping malls and billed to insurance companies or Medicare.
• Fake or altered medical bills are submitted to insurance or Medicare.

How to avoid Medicare or insurance fraud:

• Never sign blank insurance claim forms or give blanket authorization to bill for services.
• Ask medical providers what they charge and what you’ll be expected to pay out-of-pocket.
• Carefully review your benefits statement. Call your insurer and medical provider if you have questions.
• Never do business with door-to-door or telephone salespeople who tell you that services of medical equipment are free. (There’s no such thing as a free lunch!)
• Only give insurance/Medicare info to people who have actually provided you with legitimate medical services.
• Make sure you know if your doctor has ordered medical equipment for you.

 

2. Counterfeit prescription drugs
Selling fake medication is a big business. At best, seniors lose money (which is already bad).

At worst, their health could be in serious danger. Who knows what’s actually in those counterfeit pills?!

How to avoid these scams:

• Pay attention to how medication is supposed to look. This includes the packaging and the medication itself.
• Ask the pharmacist or doctor if the prescription drug looks suspicious or different.
• Immediately tell the pharmacist and doctor if the medication causes side effects or if your condition does not improve. (Fake meds are a serious health danger!)
• Be very careful when buying medicine on the Internet. Don’t buy from unlicensed online distributors or those selling drugs without a prescription.
• Reputable online pharmacies have the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS) seal of approval, which is provided by the Association of Boards of Pharmacy in the United States.
• Watch out for promotions, discounts, or “special deals.” These might be fake drugs!

3. Reverse mortgage scams
Legitimate reverse mortgages do exist, but there’s also a huge amount of fraud with this type of financial product.

That’s why everyone, but especially older adults, need to be extra extra careful when considering a reverse mortgage.

Seniors are usually targeted through local churches, investment seminars, TV, radio, billboard, and mailed ads.

Common reverse mortgage scams:

• Seniors are offered free homes, investment opportunities, and foreclosure or refinance assistance.
• Seniors are used as straw buyers in property flipping scams. That’s when the senior pretends to apply for the mortgage and they’re supposed to be paid for the use of their financial identity.

How to avoid these scams:

• Don’t respond to unsolicited advertisements.
• Be suspicious of anyone who says that you can own a home with no down payment.
• Never sign anything that you don’t fully understand.
• Don’t accept money from anyone for a home you didn’t purchase.
• Find your own reverse mortgage counselor through HUD.gov’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) counselor locator (that’s what a reverse mortgage is officially called).

 

Next Step  Get more info about common senior scams at FBI.gov

 

Recommended for you:

• Prevent Elder Fraud by Getting Rid of Junk Mail
• Get Alerted to Scams Targeting Seniors with AARP Fraud Watchdog Emails
• Helping Aging Parents with Finances: 5 Ways to Reduce Resistance

 

By DailyCaring Editorial Team

 

This article wasn’t sponsored and doesn’t contain affiliate links. For more information, see How We Make Money.

---

[optin-monster slug=”yxbytm35zhsdfopnw7qk”][optin-monster slug=”jvhyplxmb4umsjazxecn”]