Today is John’s 75th birthday. John feels good, but age has taken its toll. He has some hearing loss, and his joints are a little achy. John is a widower. He has great kids, but he doesn’t want to bother them. After all, John is an independent, capable person who doesn’t need help. He does miss seeing his family, especially today. It’s been a long time since John has been able to visit, and the house is lonely. If he could just get that COVID vaccine and get that under control. John’s phone rings.
John: “Hello”
Scammer: “Hello! Is this John?”
John: “Yes, it is”
Scammer: “Well, hi! This is Phil. I am the service representative for your Medicare Services Center. How are you today?”
John: “Pretty good for 75! It’s my birthday.”
Scammer: “Happy Birthday! John, we are processing COVID vaccination information and need to verify your Social Security number and your Medicare number. There is an administration fee so we need your Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage information, too. If you’d prefer an automatic withdrawal, we can just deduct that from your bank account. All we need is the account number and routing number. Isn’t it great that we have this vaccine?! We want to get you registered so you can move up in the line, and get that shot! Do you have family?
John (although John didn’t hear everything Phil said, John did hear ‘Medicare’, ‘COVID vaccination”, ‘registered’ and ‘move up in the line’’ Phil said something about family, but John isn’t sure what.): “I don’t like to bother my family. I want to get that vaccination so I can see my grandkids and get out again. It’s lonely since Jane passed. And could you speak up a bit? I’m a little hard of hearing.”
Scammer – speaking a little louder: “Well, sir, just give me your Social Security number, Medicare number, and bank account number, and we’ll make sure you’re registered. I need your date of birth, too. You will move ahead of a lot of people, and will be seeing your grandkids in no time!”
John gives all the requested information to the caller. John gets no closer to getting a vaccine, and his bank account and his identity are at risk. John thinks he has been moved up on the vaccination list and doesn’t know how his personal information will be used.
What are the red flags? There are several!
John confirmed his identity by saying “Yes”. A “Yes” answer can be cut from the conversation and used to indicate your “approval” of something.
Phil said he was from the “Medicare Services Center”. This is not the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Also, the real Medicare has your Social Security number, Medicare number, and Medicare Supplement / Medicare Advantage information. They don’t need to ask for it.
John told Phil a lot of personal information that seemed innocent. Today is his birthday. He’s a widower. He’s alone and lonely. He doesn’t want to bother his family. He’s hard of hearing. This is good information to help Phil the Scammer further engage a lonely, vulnerable older adult.
Phil has what John wants: a vaccination and John will get it sooner rather than later. John will get to see his family soon. And bonus! He was able to handle his own business!
Pay attention to the red flags. Keep your family informed about scams. Help them to NOT make the mistakes that John made. Scams are getting more involved, and scammers are more aggressive. Stay safe!
