Lottery and Secret Shopper Scams Reported in Western Illinois

[January 31, 2011]  One of our SMP Volunteers in western Illinois recently reported that a local police department issued a warning about lottery scams and secret shopper scams. The warning states that residents in western Illinois have been receiving letters telling them that they won various lottery amounts, containing fake checks that the recipients are told to deposit, then send money to another address for “documentation and taxes”.

In the Secret Shopper scams, individuals receive similar letters asking them to act as a “secret shopper.” Illinois consumers should be advised that any letter like this is a scam – you don’t have to pay money to win money, and if someone you don’t know sends you a check, it is probably fake.

Warning About “Medicare” Postcards

A consumer in Evanston, Illinois recently received a postcard in the mail that says “Important Information for Medicare Beneficiaries” at the top.

This postcard asks the person to check a box regarding whether they would like assistance reviewing their Medicare plans and then send the postcard back to “Medicare Insurance Services” at a post office box in Texas. The postcard appears to be a marketing card for some sort of business or sales venture; therefore, individuals are advised NOT to send postcards like this back – it will only serve to invoke additional marketing contacts via mail or telephone.

If Medicare beneficiaries need assistance in reviewing their Medicare plans, many nonprofit agencies across the state provide free, objective assistance with this process. Seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries should contact their local Area Agency on Aging to locate this type of assistance if necessary.

Bank/Credit Card Phone Scam

The Chicago Police Department recently issued a Financial Crimes Alert stating that senior residents in the 18th district of Chicago have been reporting phone calls in which the senior is told that his/her bank or credit card has been compromised at a local store. The caller instructs the senior to go to the bank and obtain a large amount of cash from his/her account, then place the cash in an envelope that is picked up by a “messenger” from the bank.

Please be alert and aware, and warn your clients, colleagues, friends, family and loved ones that if you think something may be wrong with an account, you should contact the bank or credit card company directly, using the company’s published phone number – don’t believe something just because a caller tells you!

Erin Weir, MSW, LSW, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator

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