"Medicare Fraud of the Month" for September
The warning comes from the New York StateWide Senior Action Council, which has been helping older adults for over 50 years. They're calling AI-based scams their "Medicare Fraud of the Month" for September.So, what exactly is the danger?
Maria Alvarez, the group's director, put it simply: "Artificial Intelligence (AI) is technology that allows computers to mimic human thinking... creating text, images, or voices that seem real." She warned that criminals are now jumping on this tech to steal from people.
Here are some of the sneaky AI scams the group is warning about:
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Fake Prescriptions: Scammers can use AI to fake a doctor's signature or even their voice to call in prescriptions that aren't real.
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Phony Phone Calls: They can clone a voice to make it sound like a real person from Medicare is calling you, all to trick you into giving up your Medicare number.
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Fake Medical Gear: Crooks can use AI to create very realistic-looking lab reports or medical documents to support bogus claims for things like wheelchairs or braces.
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Bogus Websites: They can quickly build fake telehealth websites using AI-generated doctor photos and chatbots to steal your personal information.
The good news is, you can protect yourself. The group offers this simple advice:
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Check Your Statements: Always read your Medicare statements. If you see a charge for something you didn't get, report it right away.
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Don't Trust Unexpected Calls: If someone calls out of the blue and pressures you for your Medicare number, just hang up.
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Never Click Strange Links: Be suspicious of links in texts, emails, or pop-up ads you weren't expecting.
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Double-Check with Your Doctor: If you get a call about a telehealth appointment or a new prescription, call your doctor's office directly to make sure it's legit.
If you see something fishy or just have questions, the group wants you to call them."We have trained counselors to help educate Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against health care fraud," Alvarez said. You can reach the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800-333-4374 or visit their website at www.nysenior.org.
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