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Utilizing Resources and Information to Help Protect your Seniors from Fraud. Barbara Parrott McGinity, LMSW Program Director Texas Senior Medicare Patrol. Senior/Health Fairs . Set up guidelines for vendor behavior. DO NOT allow any information to be taken at table.
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Utilizing Resources and Information to Help Protect your Seniors from Fraud Barbara Parrott McGinity, LMSW Program Director Texas Senior Medicare Patrol
Senior/Health Fairs • Set up guidelines for vendor behavior. • DO NOT allow any information to be taken at table. • Do not let people use the word FREE to promote a product or service. • Do not allow vendors to give away door prizes from their tables. • Use volunteers or staff to patrol and look for violations of guidelines.
Educational Presentations • Establish guidelines and procedures for educational presentations. • Request sample of materials that will be handed out. • Do not allow the seniors to be alone with the presenter. • Look for a local non-profit or government agency that can present the same information without a sales pitch.
Types of Presentations and Red Flags • Medicare fraud • DME companies with the “latest” in equipment. • Medicare approved arthritis kits • Scooters • Free Tests or services • Toe nail clipping • Rolling lab – visits by doctor and nurse • Flu shots • Hearing aids/eye tests
Types of Presentations and Red Flags • Insurance • Medicare Advantage Plans • Understand education vs marketing – cannot set appointments • Medigap policies • Different guidelines than MA plans – can solicit and telemarket • Licensed agents ONLY • Check to make sure they are licensed to sell the product by going to www.tdi.texas.gov.
Types of Presentations and Red Flags • Financial planning • Offers guaranteed rates • Offers help to “veterans” to get their benefits • Annuity scam • Certified “Senior Advisors” • Reverse Mortgages • Legitimate but scams include offering senior free home, investment opportunities, and foreclosure or refinance assistance.
Resources • Medicare fraud • Senior Medicare Patrol volunteers if in area • SMP materials for handouts • DVD – Recognizing the Bad Guys • Contact SMP: www.texassmp.org or 1-888-341-6187 • Federal Drug Administration – www.fda.gov • Health fraud information (anti-aging scams and scams related to promises of restored youth and cures)
Resources (continued) • Insurance • Texas Department of Insurance – free materials and handouts at www.tdi.texas.gov • Financial • Securities and Exchange Commission “Senior Care Package” www.sec.gov • Texas State Securities Board Investor Education – materials free at www.texasinvestored.org • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – NEW, www.consumerfinance.gov
Resources (continued) • Federal Trade Commission – www.ftc.gov • Identity theft information • Texas Elder Financial Exploitation Project • Can assist victims of financial exploitation • Texas Legal Services – www.tlsc.org • Postal Inspector – ww.postalinspectors.uspis.gov • Sweepstakes scams, lottery scams, identity theft info • Better Business Bureau – www.bbb.org • Check out companies first, but also access to articles, tips and current scams
Presentation Resources • Texas State Securities Board • Investment fraud • U. S. Postal Inspector • Sweepstakes and mail fraud/identity theft • Social Security • Identity theft • Local Better Business Bureau • Scams/contractor tips/etc. • Local Sheriff/Constable/District or County Attorney • Home and personal safety/identity theft