It seems that there is no end to the volume of calls and internet contacts we
are bombarded with. Unemployment benefits are taking the forefront now. The
way it works is that you receive a letter stating that you are approved for
unemployment benefits; a check may arrive and it looks legitimate BUT, you have never applied for or are eligible for unemployment. Red Flag! Don’t deposit the check!
Phone calls from individuals attempting to “update your Medicare Card” is
another problem. The caller is requesting personal information, lots of
information which you should not divulge! Medicare does not call you at random! Hang up!
Be wary of a call from your bank asking for your assistance in apprehending
a bank employee that they believe is embezzling funds. They ask you to use your
cellphone and to stay on the line with them; drive to your bank immediately and
withdraw cash. They ask what type of vehicle you will be driving and stay in
contact with you for the entire time you are driving to your banking institution.
They tell you to go into the bank and make a huge withdrawal. You are advised
not to speak with any bank employee about your involvement in catching the
employee in question and told to bring the funds to a waiting vehicle outside of
the bank. Money gone!!! You were just taken for your life savings and become the latest victim of a scam.
EOB? Do you look over your Explanation of Benefits from Medicare? It has
been reported that some individuals who have ordered one COVID-19 test kit was being charged for THREE. (And at a ridiculously high cost). When contacting Medicare, the individual was instructed to contact the Medicare Fraud Line! Be vigilant!
The perpetrators are always coming up with new gimmicks and ways of
convincing trusting, unsuspecting individuals that you need to put your trust in
them and not question the validity of what they are saying. It’s not wrong to hang up the telephone on someone either.