KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Advocates warn of scam to steal banking information
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Officials with Alaska's Senior Information Office report a scam to rob seniors of bank account information is making the rounds. (Zac Gooch/KTUU-TV)
People are cautioned not to be fooled. (Zac Gooch/KTUU-TV)
Senior Information Office Director Judith Bendersky (Zac Gooch/KTUU-TV)by Jill Burke
Sunday, April 6, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Seniors are being warmed to beware of scammers offering a deal that is too good to be true.
Officials with Alaska's Senior Information Office report a scam to rob seniors of bank account information is making the rounds.
In exchange, scammers will "give" victims a new Medicare card that offers substantial savings on medical bills - as much as 80 percent.
People are cautioned not to be fooled. They are also reminded to never give their Medicare number to anyone. Moreover, people will never have to grant anyone access to banking information to get a health card.
"You need to be very careful before you give any financial information or health information over the phone," Senior Information Office Director Judith Bendersky said.
Callers were pushy, rude and called repeatedly, according to Bendersky. She reminds people they can always hang up or ask for a name and number and call the person back.
The Senior Information Office can help anyone wade through what's legitimate and can be reached at the phone number below or their website.
1-800-478-6065 (state wide)
269-3680 (Anchorage)
Contact Jill Burke at jburke@ktuu.com
