Review Today’s Top Senior Scams
Our partners at the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program take a look at the top scams targeted at seniors based on real experience and testimonials. They cover Social Security scams, romance scams, Medicare hospice scams, grandparent scams, sweepstakes scams, computer tech scams and COVID-19 scams. If you come across any suspected scams or fraud, report it to our California SMP at 1-855-613-7080.
Beware of Medicare Telehealth Fraud
Medicare telehealth has expanded during the Covid-19 crisis, and so too has telehealth fraud targeted at seniors. This video will show you how to combat this fraud and the warning signs to look out for. If you come across suspected telehealth fraud, report it to our California SMP at 1-855-613-7080. Remember, you may be a target, but you don’t have to be a victim!
Review Your Medicare Summary Notices ~ Fun SMP Superhero Skit
This fun and humorous skit highlights how simply reviewing one’s Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) is an easy way to spot fraud. If you see services or items charged for that you never received, call our Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080. This skit also highlights the importance of NOT giving out your Medicare number over the phone. Here is the script. Enjoy and please share!
Getting to Know You ~ Funny Skit on Medical ID Theft
Medical ID theft is a serious matter, but learning about it through a humorous skit and how to protect yourself is fun! This skit, performed by the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program with troupe members ages 60-98, highlights the problem of Medicare card theft and medical identity theft. Help put an end to senior health care fraud. Enjoy and share!
Brace Yourself ~ Funny Skit on Medicare Knee Brace Scam
What better way to learn about Medicare fraud than through humor and laughter! The Stop Senior Scams Acting Program does just that with all their member ages 60-98! This skit highlights a common Medicare durable equipment (DME) scam, where someone is advertising a FREE knee brace to anyone who has Medicare. All you need to do is call their number and give them your Medicare number. Please share!
Stop Veterans’ Scams ~ Senior Skit
Senior scams are a growing issue that elders, their families, caregivers, providers and public need to be aware of. Our Senior Medicare Patrol collaborates with a creative, volunteer acting troupe ages 60-98 called the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program to educate seniors and the public on Medicare and other health insurance scams. And we do it through humor! 🙂 This skit highlights scams targeting our veterans and tactics scammers use. Please report any such scams or other Medicare fraud to our California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080.
SMP Superheroes Address Part D Fraud ~ Collaborative Skit!
Our Senior Medicare Patrol Superhero team meets in Los Angeles, one of our national fraud hotspots, to discuss and devise a plan to address Part D prescription drug fraud. Through good humor, this skit educates people on 4 main types of Part D fraud, what to look for and how to report it. This skit performance was done in collaboration with the great Stop Senior Scams℠Acting Program (SSSAP). Their acting team members are ages 65-98!! 🙂 We also have an audio file (mp3) and script. Enjoy and please share!
SMP Superheroes Address Home Health Care Fraud!
Be entertained! Join Ethel and her friends for a game of cards as she shares about her “new home health benefit” that includes cleaning and cooking services. SMP Superhero comes to the rescue to point out this example of home health fraud and tells Ethel and her friends where to go for help and to report fraud! A video of this skit will be coming in April 2016. Here is the audio file (mp3) and script. Enjoy and please share!
SMP Superheroes in Action! Avoid & Report this Back Brace Scam
Be entertained by our Senior Medicare Patrol superheros in action! This short skit highlights a common back brace scam that uses large newspaper ads to promote “free, Medicare-covered back braces” to lure beneficiaries to give them their Medicare number.
SMP Superhero Skit ~ Genetics Testing & Free Ice Cream Social Scams
Get ready for some laughs with this superhero skit on genetic testing and ice cream social scams. In these scams, beneficiaries are offered a presentation or an ice cream social along with a “free cheek swab” test in exchange for their Medicare numbers.
Mail-Order Medication Scam
This video, featuring SMP Liaisons Pat Macholl and Doug Shaw, demonstrates a common Medicare Part D fraud scam involving mail-order medications. Learn more about how to spot such scams, where to report them and how to help prevent them with our Medicare Part D Scams Tip Sheet.
New Medicare Card Scam
This video, featuring SMP Liaisons Ray Jones and Paula Holden, demonstrates a common new Medicare card scam. It took off in the fall of 2013 with the beginning of Obamacare’s open enrollment and Medicare’s annual open enrollment period. Scammers took advantage of the widespread confusion and invented a plethora of new scams. For more information on fraud, how to detect, report and prevent it, see our Medicare Fraud section.
Medicare Fraud: You Could Be the Next Victim
Julie Schoen, our Senior Medicare Patrol Project Director, briefly speaks on Medicare fraud and how it affects us all. She gives concrete examples and actions to take to protect one’s Medicare, detectfraud and abuse; and report any suspicious activity. Call SMP to report fraud and/or with any questions at 855-613-7080.
Fraud Perpetrated Against Veterans
Julie Schoen speaks to health care fraud specifically targeted at Veterans, common tactics used, signs to watch for, how to protect oneself and where to report potential fraud.
Medicare Fraud: What to Look For
Anne Gray, our SMP Project Coordinator, discusses signs that point to potential fraud.
Financial Fraud: Don’t Be a Victim
Long-term care Ombudsman, Ken Robinson tells what you need to know regarding financial fraud.
