Illinois SMP Program Fraud Alerts

 

The Illinois SMP Program sends email Fraud Alerts every Friday. These alerts contain fraud-related news articles, information about current scams in Illinois or other parts of the United States, and useful healthcare or fraud-related resources. If you would like to be added to the Illinois SMP Fraud Alert email list, please contact:

Erin Weir, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator

Phone: (800)699-9043, (708)383-0258

TTY: (708)524-1653

Fax: (708)524-0870

erin.weir@ageoptions.org

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Illinois SMP Fraud Alert - June 25, 2010

Dear SMP readers,

Today’s Fraud Alert contains warnings about 4 different kinds of scams witnessed in Illinois recently, as well as the usual “Fraud in the News.” Have a great weekend!
 
Sincerely,

Erin Weir, MSW, LSW, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator

AgeOptions

1048 Lake Street, Suite 300

Oak Park, IL 60301

phone (708)383-0258 fax (708)524-0870

erin.weir@ageoptions.org

ageoptions.org

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Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you have any questions about the Illinois SMP program, or to receive these Fraud Alerts directly, please contact Erin Weir, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator at AgeOptions.

What you will find in this week’s Fraud Alert

• DME Companies Issuing Inappropriate “Cold” Calls
• Stimulus Email Scam
• Illinois Attorney General Warns Against “Storm Chasers”
• 1st Equity Bank Issues Warning About Fake Cashier’s Checks
• Fraud in the News

DME Companies Issuing Inappropriate “Cold” Calls

Several SMP’s across the country have reported that Medicare beneficiaries are receiving phone calls from people or recordings that ask the person if he/she has diabetes or is in need of certain durable medical equipment (DME), like a scooter. One call being received in New Hampshire is a recording that states “This is a follow up to Medicare.” The message then says that if the person uses a cane or a walker, he/she may qualify for a scooter, and instructs the person to press 1 to talk to a customer service rep. These calls appear to be coming from 920-560-4994, which is not a working number. Residents in Ohio and Indiana have also been receiving similar calls about scooters, diabetic supplies, and other medical equipment, and Illinois residents have reported these calls in recent months, as well. They may be an attempt by certain DME companies to gain business, but in most cases, DME companies are NOT allowed to cold call people – they should not be contacting you without prior permission.

Here is an article about the calls being received in Indiana: http://www.wibc.com/news/Story.aspx?id=1245344

If anyone receives a call like this, please report it (with any information about the caller and/or the company) to the Illinois SMP program and to the Federal Trade Commission. You can submit a complaint on their website here:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

The FTC also has a new video, in English and Spanish, explaining how to file a complaint with the FTC:

http://ftc.gov/multimedia/video/scam-watch/file-a-complaint.shtm

The video is also available on YouTube at youtube.com/FTCvideos.

Stimulus Email Scam

An Illinois resident contacted AgeOptions this week to report an email scam that she received twice (once from “Mary” and once from “Jake”) asking her to confirm her information to receive her “stimulus package. Anyone who receives a scam email like this should report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx

Illinois Attorney General Warns Against “Storm Chasers”

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has issued a warning to Illinois consumers about “Storm Chasers” – home repair scam artists who target people who have experienced damage to their homes after a storm. Anyone who is suspicious about a home repair or other solicitation should contact the Illinois Attorney General and local law enforcement. (Note: NEVER let anyone you don’t know into your home – if a stranger comes to your door, do not open the door. Leave the person on the porch while asking who they are, and contacting the police to verify their identity if the person claims to be from a government agency, utility company, etc.!)

For more information, see the alert here:

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2010_06/20100618.html

 

1st Equity Bank Northwest Issues Warning About Fake Cashier’s Checks

1st Equity Bank issued the following alert earlier this week about fake cashier’s checks being issued in their name:

“1st Equity Bank Northwest, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, has contacted the Federal Deposit

Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to report that counterfeit cashier's checks bearing the institution's name are in circulation. The counterfeit items display the routing number 071926333, which is assigned to 1st Equity Bank Northwest. The items have ornate borders and display the bank's name and location near the top-left corner. The words "DATE" and "Remitter" appear near the top-right corner. A padlock security icon appears on the right side of the items, below the written amount line. The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear below the written amount line on the left side of the items. One signature line appears in the lower-right corner. Authentic cashier's checks display a security feature statement embedded in a darkened top border. The bank's name, location and icon are displayed in the top center. The word "REMITTER" appears near the top-left corner. Two microprint signature lines appear in the lower-right corner with the statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED ON CHECKS OVER $1000.00." The words "CASHIER'S CHECK" appear in the lower-right corner along with a restrictive feature statement. Any information you have concerning this matter should be brought to the attention of: Sabina Filipovic, Vice President, 1st Equity Bank Northwest, 1330 West Dudee Road, Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089. Telephone: (847) 253-5200. Fax: (847) 253-6601. E-mail: Sabina@1stequitybank.net”

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Fraud In The News

The following are current news articles about health care and fraud issues.

1. “Join the Fight Against Health Care Fraud”: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/05/30/pasadena_citizen /opinion/052610_fraud_column.txt

2. “OIG Urges for More Authority Over Medicare Fraud”: http://topnews.us/content/222501-oig-urges-more-authority-over-medicare-fraud

3. “Administration Unveils New Fraud-Fighting Measures”: http://www.ombwatch.org/node/11085

4. “Medicare to Use New Fraud Identification Tool”: http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2010/June/24/Fraud-Round-Up.aspx

5. FBI alert – “The Latest Phone Scam Targets Your Bank Account”: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june10/phone_062110.html

6. AARP Scam Alert – “Vishing for Your Bank Info”: http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-06-2010/ scam_alert_vishing_for_your_bank_info.html?cmp=NLC-RSS-DAILY-BULLETIN

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Fraud Alerts contain information about current scams taking place in Illinois, announcements and updates about programs or services related to health care and/or fraud protection, and links to news articles about health care and fraud topics. Please forward any recommendations or announcements that you would like to be included in a future Fraud Alert to erin.weir@ageoptions.org.

AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, is committed to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity of older adults and those who care about them – through leadership and support, community partnerships, comprehensive services, accurate information and powerful advocacy.

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