Lottery
and Secret Shopper Scams Reported in Western Illinois
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[December 31, 2010]
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”.
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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.
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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
AgeOptions
erin.weir@ageoptions.org
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