WDAM.com Laurel-Hattiesburg, MS The Pinebelt's Choice For News, Sports and Weather | Officials warn seniors of Medicare scam
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A warning for older folks on Medicare: a dangerous scam is on the rise around Mississippi. Con artists are pushing Medicare Part C and D plans on seniors, in some cases without their even knowing.
"These thieves must be stopped," says state Sen. Terry Burton, R-Newton.
A coalition of state leaders and agencies is taking on the 'thieves' -- so-called salesmen going door-to-door, sometimes pretending to be from medicare.
"Some of these companies have representatives out there preying on the elderly, lying to them, misrepresenting the facts to them, and yes, stealing from them," Burton says.
7 ON YOUR SIDE met 73-year-old Margaret McBrain back in February, after she was targeted by a caller. He asked for personal banking information. Then came the pressure tactic.
"He said that if I didn't take his insurance, in two months the government was going to take $300 out of my Social Security check," McBrain says.
McBrain knew the pitch was bogus, but others haven't been so lucky. Several victims had no knowledge of changing plans, only to be stuck with high medical bills their original plans would have covered.
Thousands of complaints have poured into the the Department of Human Services about this Medicare fraud. They started in Columbus late last year. Now the complaints are coming in from all over Mississippi.
So far the Insurance Department has revoked the license of at least one salesman in north Mississippi, and Commissioner George Dale says a number of other complaints are under investigation.
"We're going to do the best we can to take the proper action, but the purpose of this is to warn seniors and senior family members," Dale says.
Some simple advice: beware on anyone going door to door, and consult someone you trust before making any changes to your plan.
Anyone who suspects being victimized by one of these Medicare scams is urged to contact the Mississippi Insurance Department at 1-800-562-2957, and the Department of Human Services at 1-800-948-3090.
