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Most
health care providers are honest and are providing the best care
they can, but the small number who aren't find ways to steal billions
of dollars from the health care system each year. Even more is lost
to errors in billing that are never found. Below you will find current
scams that are happening right here in Iowa.
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 An old scam resurfaced recently..........
A telephone call was received last evening from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service technician (could also be Telus) who was conducting a test on the telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine(9), zero(0), the pound sign (#), and then hang up. Luckily, I was suspicious and refused.
Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by pushing 90#, you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number. I was further informed that this scam has been originating from many local jails/prisons. DO NOT press 90# for ANYONE.
The GTE Security Department requested that I share this information with EVERYONE I KNOW. After checking with Verizon they said it was true, so do not dial 90# for anyone !!!!! PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW
Posted: 06/05/2006
Internet Identity Theft is rapidly rising. Today I received an email from BancorpSouth that is truly Phishing. The logo for the legitimate BancorpSouth was included as well as the logos the banking industry uses for FDIC Insured and Equal Housing Lender. A copyright symbol also appears at the end. I found BancorpSouth’s actual website and called the number they have for reporting this type of scam. The person answering the phone said they are getting lots of calls regarding this scam. Below is a copy of the contents of the email. Notice the scam artists want the person’s SSN for username and account number as password. Banks already have this information and will not ask for it to be entered. Hopefully, people receiving this type of email will not open it and will immediately delete it.
Sherry, Operation Restore Trust
******* Below is the contents of the Phishing email ******
Dear BancorpSouth Client,
This is your official notification from BancorpSouth that the service(s) listed below
will be deactivated and deleted if not renewed immediately. Previous notifications have been sent to the Billing Contact assigned to this account. As the Primary Contact, you must renew the service(s) listed below or it will be deactivated and deleted.
Renew Now your BancorpSouth Bill Pay and Services.
If you are not enrolled at Web Banking, please enter your SSN as Username, and account number as Password.
SERVICE : BancorpSouth with Bill Pay.
Thank you, sincerely,
Tricia Doyle
Customer Service
Posted: 02/07/2006
Make sure that your donations and contributions do not get into the hands of scam artists.
Giving That Counts
As the Gulf Coast recovers from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Americans are being very generous in donating money. But unbelievably, scam artists are using this disaster to try to take advantage of our generosity. Reports are already coming in about calls and email solicitations that ask people to send money for recovery efforts. Instead these are scams designed to steal your money or credit card numbers.
Before you make a donation, be certain that your money is going where you want it to go. Just because someone claims the money will be used on behalf of a charity does not mean your money will really go to that cause or charity.
If you don't know who is asking, don't give.
When a stranger asks for a donation, do not assume that the person is honestly raising money for victims. Con artists say they are raising money on behalf of a legitimate organization, but actually they have no connection with true organizations. Web-based scams may say they are raising money for the Red Cross but then direct people to send their money to a fraudulent account.
Take the time to get more information.
Solicitors may be coming door-to-door, standing on street corners or in shopping malls, advertising in newspapers or on the radio, sending letters or emails, or calling on the phone. You may be pressured to give money on the spot, before you have a chance to think. You'll want to know how much of your donation will actually get to the victims, so ask for written financial information before you give.
Avoid "Instant" Charity Web Sites
New web sites are springing up that look on the surface like they are seeking donations. Checking the URL registration might give you a clue as to who is behind the site, but even then there is no guarantee that one cent of your donation would go anywhere other than the pocket of the creator. Watch out for phishing emails pretending to be from a legitimate organization. Inevitably they will direct you to spurious web sites. They only want your bank or credit card numbers to invade your accounts; not to get your money to hurricane victims. Do not click on any link to any site from an email even if the email or the site look legitimate. If you want to give online, type in the charity's web address yourself.
Warning Signs of a Scam
Appealing to your emotions without saying how the money will help
Offering to send someone to pick up your contribution
Requesting your credit card number or bank account
Failing to explain the operation's administrative costs and programs
Using a similar sounding name that suggests a well known charity
Expecting payments for gifts, such as greeting cards, address labels, or religious tokens
Protect your charitable dollars. It is good to be generous, but take precautions to make sure that your donations will get where you want them to go.
Ask for and review written financial information before making a donation.
Call your state Attorney General or Secretary of State to see if the charity is registered. In some states, charities must file financial disclosures.
Pay with a check—not cash—made out to the charity, not the fundraiser.
Contribute directly to the charity, not the fundraiser.
Keep written records of your donations and pledges. Check your records if someone says you made a pledge you don't recall.
Know the difference between "tax deductible" and "tax exempt." Donations to tax-exempt organizations are not necessarily tax deductible for you. If your donation is tax deductible, get a receipt.
Don't give your credit card number or any personal information over the phone or in response to an email.
Check the following AARP Resources for more information:
Identity Theft
Keep thieves from your good name.
Beware of Thieves Who ‘Phish’ Online to Hook Your Identity
How fake emails steal identity and money.
Stop Dishonest Telemarketers
Steps to take to avoid telemarketing fraud.
Additional Resources
Federal Emergency Management Agency
"Resources for Hurricane Katrina"
A partial list of charities providing assistance to Katrina victims.
Federal Trade Commission
"Charitable Donations: Give or Take"
Report charity fraud online with the Federal Trade Commission.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
"Charitable Donations: Give or Take"
Check out charities, how much money goes to fund raising, and contact information.
Posted: 9/06/2005
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