UTILIZING RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TO HELP PROTECT YOUR SENIORS FROM FRAUD

Barbara Parrott McGinity, LMSW

Program Director

Texas Senior Medicare Patrol

• 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.

SENIOR/HEALTH FAIRS

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