Beware of Scams as Medicare Discount Drug Cards Become Available

[Guest guest]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41354-2004May19.html

.... Using the drug discount card program as a hook, crooks are trying to pry

personal information out of seniors to commit identity theft or credit card

fraud. According to federal and state officials, Medicare beneficiaries

could also be sold bogus discount cards or be persuaded that a certain drug

card is approved by the government when it is not. ...

.... Reported cases of possible fraud have come from Medicare beneficiaries

around the country, McClellan said. Authorities are investigating cases in

which people received calls as well as in-person solicitations from

individuals attempting to gain personal information -- a Social Security

number, credit card number or bank account information. ...