Utilizing Resources and Information to Help Protect your Seniors from Fraud

1. Utilizing Resources and Information to Help Protect your Seniors from Fraud Barbara Parrott McGinity, LMSW Program Director Texas Senior Medicare Patrol

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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