Con Artists Already Cashing In On New Prescription Drug Plan

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By By Herb Weisbaum

Summary

Clever criminals and identity thieves are pitching fake cards and trying to steal personal information.

Story Published: May 27, 2004 at 4:53 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:29 AM PDT

Con Artists Already Cashing In On New Prescription Drug Plan
SEATTLE - The Medicare prescription drug discount plan starts June 1. With more than 70 cards to choose from, it's a complicated program. Con artists are already hard at work trying to cash in on the confusion.

They're calling seniors peddling cards they say are approved by Medicare. They're not.

These discount drug cards cannot be sold over the phone or door to door. It's against the law! They can be sold by mail, but seniors need to be skeptical of all mail solicitations, because some may not be legitimate.

For identity thieves, the new discount drug card program is a gold mine of potential new victims.

In one scam, they call seniors asking for their bank account information. The scammers say they need this information to deposit a $600 drug credit into your account. If you get such a call, hang up!

Remember my rule, when in doubt, check it out, first.

You can do that by contacting: Medicare or the Washington State Insurance Commissioners Office.

For More Information:

Phony drug card scams

How to check out legitimate plans

Catch KOMO's Consumer Tip of the Day with Herb Weisbaum, weekdays on KOMO 1000 News at 6:25 a.m., 8:55 a.m., 11:55 a.m., 3:55 p.m., and 8:55 p.m.