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Business - Scam Alert

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009

Scam Alert: ID thieves prey on seniors

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• THE SCAM: Medicare information request

• HOW IT WORKS: Seniors should be aware of an ongoing scam based on an issue important to many older people: Medicare. In the scam, the victim gets a call from someone who promises information on changes to the federal Medicare program. The caller asks for the victim's Social Security number, birth date and banking information. Giving the information, the caller says, will put the victim on a mailing list for a 2007 book on Medicare and how it works. Medicare's usual policy is to contact enrollees by mail, not by phone.

• WHAT'S AT STAKE: Your identity, which, if stolen, can prove a nightmare to re-establish and clean up.

• HOW TO BEAT IT: Don't fall for phone offers relating to government programs. Be especially careful to avoid giving personal information of any kind over the phone to someone you don't know. An unsolicited call is a reason to be suspicious, experts say.

For a look at past scams, go to www.modbee.com/business/scam.