HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Better Business Bureau is warning about a new scam that’s hitting seniors across the country: fake charges for medical supplies they never ordered.
Cameron Nakashima from BBB Great West + Pacific says they’ve had multiple reports of consumers getting Medicare statements for expensive medical supplies they never requested. Many of the reports included catheter-related supplies — and most were billed for more than $2,000 without their permission or even their awareness.
Nakashima says the alleged business submits expensive, and seemingly official, claims to Medicare and secondary insurance providers on your behalf. These charges can drain Medicare, insurance and personal funds — all for items consumers never wanted or received. And the only time you find out about it is when you read your latest benefits statement of insurance bill.
Here’s what Nakashima suggests:
- Check your Medicare Summary Notices carefully every month and question anything you don’t recognize.
- Never share your Medicare number or insurance information with anyone you don’t personally know and trust.
- And remember, BBB’s scam tracker is an easy way to report suspicious activity so we can alert others. And you can check BBB.org to learn more about a business you have concerns about.
- It’s also important to communicate scam attempts with your friends and family so they can be in your corner and help you guard against future fraud attempts.