Tulsa World: Older residents given tips on avoiding fraud

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Older residents given tips on avoiding fraud

By PHILIP LANE World Staff Writer
Published: 11/9/2008 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 11/9/2008 2:54 AM

State Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland wants older Oklahomans to remember that "it's shrewd to be rude."

Holland participated on a panel Saturday at the 2008 Upside of Aging Expo with Maj. Matt Kirkland of the Tulsa Police Department and Steve Kunzweiler, chief of criminal prosecution for the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office. The panel discussed fraud and abuse of older adults with tips on how to avoid exploitation.

Kunzweiler focused on the problem of abuse, sharing the story of a woman whose 1997 death was caused by neglect at the hands of her son and daughter-in-law. In addition to neglecting the woman, the two had raided her savings for their own benefit. Kunzweiler told the story to emphasize that seniors must be proactive in preventing abuse. In the case Kunzweiler described, the woman's family did not allow her to interact with her friends. Such isolation may be a sign of abuse and should be reported to law enforcement.

Kirkland used the discussion to educate seniors about fraud. He encouraged those in attendance to avoid falling prey to e-mail fraud, such as "Nigerian scams" in which an individual, often identified as Nigerian royalty, claims to have a large amount of money he or she will share in exchange for assistance in transferring it outside the country. The sender requests bank account information, which the sender will use to drain your savings. No money is ever deposited into the account.

This effort to steal an individual's bank account information is one small part of

the growth of identity theft, which is the most common crime in the U.S., Kirkland said.

"The No. 1 way to defend yourself against identity theft is to go out and spend $40 on a cross-cut shredder," he said.

Seniors often have their investments taken advantage of as well, Holland said. Often, they are encouraged to move their money into annuities under unfavorable terms.

"If you're 80 years old, you don't want an annuity with a 20-year maturity," she said. Oklahoma law requires agents and companies to show that a product is suitable for an individual's circumstances, but the law can only be enforced if violations are reported.

The state insurance commissioner said seniors with Medicare Advantage plans should be especially careful at this time of year. Individuals with such plans are only able to switch to another plan between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31. For that reason, salespeople are likely to use high-pressure tactics to convince users to accept their plans. She described an occasion when a salesman refused to leave an individual's house until an application was signed and did not leave until 1 a.m.

Holland said it is OK to show a salesperson the door if you feel pressured. "Insurance is really how we protect our future," she said, encouraging seniors to do their homework before purchasing any health coverage.

Insurance-buying guides are available at the Oklahoma Insurance Department Web site, which can be accessed at tulsaworld.com/insurancedepartment. The Insurance Department can be reached by phone at (800) 522-0071.

Protecting yourself

If someone calls and tries to threaten or pressure you into something, SIMPLY HANG UP THE PHONE.

If someone comes to your door and says he or she is from Medicare or some other health-care company, SHUT THE DOOR . . . IT’S SHREWD TO BE RUDE!

Do your homework and talk to your healthcare provider before buying or investing in Internet “cure-all” or “miracle” products or services.

Don’t keep mail in your mailbox for more than one day. People can steal personal information right out of your mailbox.

Rip up or shred your Medicare or other health-care papers and other important documents before throwing them away. CROOKS GO THROUGH THE TRASH!

Treat your Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards. If someone offers to buy your Medicare or Social Security number, do not sell it.

Remember that “Medicare” does not sell anything.

Follow your instincts – if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

If you suspect an error, fraud or abuse related to health care, gather the facts and report it.

ALWAYS READ YOUR MEDICARE SUMMARY NOTICE OR HEALTH-CARE BILLING STATEMENT. Your Medicare summary notice is the piece of mail stamped “This is Not a Bill” that comes in after you get medical care.

Source: Oklahoma Insurance Department

Philip Lane 732-8113
philip.lane@tulsaworld.com By PHILIP LANE World Staff Writer

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