As dedicated as care managers and other eldercare professionals are to helping older adults enjoy a better quality of life, it's an unfortunate fact that some individuals are more interested in targeting this often vulnerable segment of the population for profit. Older adults have long faced a greater risk of fraud, and those who do not engage regularly with others may be all the more willing to trust anyone who exhibits an interest in them.
According to the National Council on Aging, Medicare-related scams are the most common type of fraud directed at this population. This week, the Better Business Bureau reported on a new phone scam employing this tactic to defraud older adults of their funds.
"The latest Medicare phone scam comes from a New York-based company by the name of 'GMY.' Complainants allege that GMY company representatives contact consumers and ask that they verify their information in order to update their Medicare cards," the source states.
In light of this scam, BBB provided a list of guidelines for care managers to share with their recipients to reduce the risk of becoming a victim. These suggested directives include:
- Be wary of anyone demanding immediate action to preserve your Medicare benefits.
- Contact a loved one, care giver or Medicare directly if you receive a notification via email, phone or text, as the federal government does not use these modes of contact.
- Don't divulge important personal information, including bank account details, social security number or more if you are not familiar with the caller.
Older adults experiencing social isolation may be all the more susceptible to a kind voice over the phone. Establishing a means of constant communication can both protect older adults against entrusting scammers too easily and ensure that any suspect calls can be easily relayed to loved ones and caregivers before a fraudulent act takes place. However, this is far from the only reason to ensure that the older adults in your care benefit from regular engagement, as this can improve their overall quality of life on many fronts as well.
Independa's telecare solutions can vastly expand social engagement with family and lifelong friends – virtually eliminating geographic distance and bringing the circle of care closer to the older adult. This circle of care can connect with loved ones easily via senior –friendly email, Facebook and video chat. In addition, care givers can reach out to seniors via our Caregiver Web Application to keep them informed of social events on their calendar and provide the comfort of supported independence. Contact us through our online form today to learn more.
