In this March 19, 2020 photo, a shopper looks for toilet paper at a Stop & Shop supermarket during hours open daily only for seniors in North Providence, R.I. Federal law enforcement is warning that scam artists are preying on older people's fears by peddling fake tests for the coronavirus to Medicare recipients. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Virus Outbreak Fraud
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal law enforcement is warning that scam artists are preying on older people’s fears by peddling fake tests for the coronavirus to Medicare recipients. The Health and Human Services inspector general’s office says it’s also seeing schemes that offer “Senior Care Packages” with hand sanitizer. In Florida, some seniors are being told falsely that President Donald Trump has mandated they get tested. It’s all a trick to try to get people’s Medicare and Social Security numbers, a form of identity theft.
Scammers are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal details including Medicare information. However, the services are UNAPPROVED and ILLEGITIMATE. Learn more. https://t.co/pebbxRF1bg pic.twitter.com/KRYHc07cud
— OIG at HHS (@OIGatHHS) March 23, 2020
Low-income Medicaid recipients also are being targeted. Officials advise seniors to just hang up the phone if they get such calls.
