Watch out for genetic testing scams

A different aged scam appears to be to be earning the rounds all over again. Federal well being officials have posted fraud alerts about genetic screening ripoffs, which includes another person trying to trick seniors out of their personalized facts and the govt out of taxpayer dollars.

Officers say criminals offer you seniors free screenings or cheek swabs, and then bill Medicare for the tests.

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Kathy Stokes, a fraud qualified with AARP, suggests these scammers victimize men and women in all sorts of means these as stealing their personalized information and facts and misleading the authorities. In addition, if the governing administration does not deal with the price tag of the check, the victim could be accountable for it, which could expense thousands.

According to Kaiser Wellness Information, the scammers also troll low-profits housing complexes, senior facilities, overall health fairs and antique stores. At times they provide ice product, pizza or $100 present cards as benefits.

Motion 9′s Jason Stoogenke arrived across various legal circumstances involving genetic testing strategies, which include a person involving multiple states in which agents charged 35 persons for allegedly billing Medicare a lot more than $2.1 billion. At least two of the defendants had been from South Carolina.

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Al Rodgers instructed Stoogenke he received a get in touch with from a scammer and wished he hadn’t. He reported the caller was “smooth, sleek, smooth” and explained anything about genetic testing for most cancers. They required his wife’s Medicare information and facts.

“That’s when I received type of hesitant,” he said. “I just want to permit persons know that these folks are out there.”

Suggestions from Motion 9:

– If you want or require a screening, get it by way of your medical professional, not another person soliciting you.

– Be suspicious of any get in touch with or mailing that ensures Medicare will spend the tab.

– Remember, Medicare will only fork out for DNA exams that are “medically necessary” and requested by your medical professional.

If you suspect Medicare fraud, report it by calling 1-800-HHS-Guidelines.

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