According to the National Council on Aging, one in 10 Americans over 60 can become the victim of fraud each year. Fraudsters are very determined and will take advantage of your kindness.
They can be a stranger, or someone you know well. These criminals will try to trick, lie or even threaten you. The best thing you can do is stop being polite and protect yourself!
In a special fraud video, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana’s manager of Federal Investigations, Kandyce Cowart, shares five steps to stop scammers.
Steps include:
Step 1: Hang up the phone if things don’t seem right.
This is true even if you recognize the number. Scammers can fake a number you know to gain your trust. Remember to never give any personal information such as your Medicare number or your health plan information over the phone to anyone you don’t know.
Step 2: Walk away and don’t look back.