Tips for seniors can help everyone avoid being scammed

Don’t answer the door and don’t answer the phone when you don’t know the person contacting you. This was among advice from experts on how to avoid being scammed.

“If you don’t recognize the number or voice, why are you answering your phone?” asked Sandy Windbigler from the Public Utilities Commission. “If it is important, they’re going to leave a message and you call back. (Otherwise) you’re inviting a stranger into your home.”

She was among four experts who spoke at the Rancho Bernardo Library on July 22 during the free Senior Scam Stopper Seminar. Windbigler warned against a multitude of phone scams, including:

• Slamming — switching one’s long-distance phone company without permission,

• Cramming — charging for items or services on a phone bill that the person did not authorize,

• Star 72 scam — scammer calls claiming to be with law enforcement or hospital and says to call star 72 plus a number, which activates call-forwarding for all calls and incurs charges,

• 809 scam (or 284, 649 and 876) — scammer says a family member was in an accident and to call a number with these area codes, which causes high international calling rates,

• Grandparent scam — scammer pretends to be a grandchild in jail and asks for a large sum of money to be wired for bail (other versions are a grandchild stuck in a foreign country or in an accident), and

• Robocalls and telemarketing calls — unsolicited calls to sell something. To join the national Do-Not-Call list (to deter unsolicited telemarketing calls), go to www.donotcall.org or call 888-382-1222 from the phone you are registering for free.

Windbigler said California Lifeline offers those on limited incomes low-cost phone service. It is limited to local calls, but that is typically not a problem for seniors with a cell phone. They can use the landline for local calls and cell for long-distance. For details, call 866-272-0357 or go to www.cpuc.ca.gov/LifeLine.

MEDICARE FRAUD

“The best way to not be a victim of fraud is to protect your personal information,” said Ricardo Gonzalez from California Health Advocates and Senior Medicare Patrol. He explained how easy it is to commit fraud with a stolen Social Security number.

“If not going to the doctor or pharmacy, you should not carry your Medicare card with you,” Gonzalez said. If a senior’s wallet is stolen, the thief has everything needed to steal an identity since a driver’s license has name, address and birth date; and Medicare card has the Social Security number. He said it will be a few more years before Medicare cards do not use an SSN.

If seniors really want to carry their Medicare card in case of a medical emergency, Gonzalez said make a copy and black out the number. This is proof they have Medicare and if the copy is lost their SSN is protected.

He also warned against seniors agreeing to obtain durable medical equipment through Medicare when approached by someone selling items like walkers, wheelchairs and medical beds — especially when not medically necessary. Gonzalez said fraudulent companies convince seniors to go to a company-recommended doctor for a device referral, then bill the item to Medicare even though the senior does not need it. If within five years the senior uses the item and it breaks, Medicare won’t pay for repair or replacement.

Gonzalez said seniors and caregivers should review Medicare summary statements and if anything questionable has been billed, notify the agency immediately. In addition, Medicare will never call a person to verify personal or bank information. “99.9 percent of the time it is a scam, so hang up right away,” he said, adding criminals have also been known to stop by homes. “They are getting very smart. (Medicare officials) will never visit you at home.”

If someone suspects healthcare fraud, call Senior Medicare Patrol at 855-613-7080 or go to www.smpresource.org for free help.

CONTRACTOR PROBLEMS

Jane Kreidler from the Contractors State License Board said to get three estimates before commencing work, especially if the job costs over $500 for materials and labor since a contractor’s license is required.

“Not all are ethical, even if they have a license,” Kreidler warned. But she said if they have a license there are more avenues to get a problem resolved. Among her tips:

• Ask to see the person’s driver’s license to make sure the name matches that on the contractor’s license.

• Make sure they have worker’s compensation if they bring any employees. Without it, if the workers get hurt during the job the homeowner is liable.

• Check to see if the license is valid and if there are any complaints.

• Get a detailed, written contract and never sign it the same day, even if a discount is offered.

• Never pay in cash.

• In most cases, do not pay more than 10 percent down or $1,000 up front, whichever is less. Hold final payment until the job is done and passes permit inspection.

• Watch workers closely when in your home, to make sure they are not stealing.

“Be careful so you’re not strong-armed by anybody,” she said.

Kreidler warned against doing business with salesmen who come by since many do not have a required home improvement salesperson number and hiring people off sites like Craigslist and Angie’s List since they are often not screened.

She said in California there is a four-year warranty on home improvement work and if the contractor does not honor it, to call the California State License Board at 800-321-2752. A license can be checked there and at www.cslb.ca.gov.

CALL 2-1-1

Alana Kalinowski from 2-1-1 said that is the number to call for non-life-threatening situations. The free number connects locals with community agencies that provide emergency food assistance, shelter, healthcare and more. Conversations are confidential. Information can also be accessed at www.211sandiego.org.

Kalinowski said 75 percent of the call center representatives are bilingual in English and Spanish or other languages. To help everyone in the region, including San Diego’s large refugee population, 2-1-1 can get a translator on the line to help those speaking any of 208 languages.