Call Us (800) 626-6719

Scam and Fraud Alerts

  • Scam Action Alerts are posted to keep the community aware of scam and fraud attempts currently being run in and around our community. This is done to help prevent seniors from being victimized.

Download our Sitting Duck Resource Packet to help you learn to recognize the signs of scams.

Local Scam Alerts

January 2021

COVID-19 Scam Alert – As the number of people and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic grows, so do the scams associated with it. Scammers use public health emergencies as opportunities for new fraud schemes, and because older adults and people with disabilities are at greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, they may target these populations.

It’s important to remember that although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health officials may contact you if they believe you may have been exposed to the virus, they will not need to ask you for insurance or financial information.

Scammers rapidly alter their tactics and adapt their schemes to the changing landscape, and we anticipate that they will leverage the COVID-19 vaccine to prey on unsuspecting people. Be vigilant and protect yourself from potential fraud concerning COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

Here are things you need to know about the COVID-19 vaccine:

*   You likely will not need to pay anything out-of-pocket to get the vaccine during this public health emergency.
*   You cannot pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
*   You cannot pay to get early access to the vaccine.
*   You will not be solicited door to door to receive the vaccine.
*   No one from Medicare or the Health Department with contact you.
*   No one from a vaccine distribution site or health care payer, like a private insurance company, will call you asking for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or your credit card or bank account information to sign you up to get the vaccine.

Do not provide your Medicare number to anyone other than your doctor, health care provider, or other trusted representative. Read more here.

March 2020

Stimulus Check Scam Alert – There are reports of scammers calling and offering to help individuals sign up to receive their stimulus checks before the stimulus bill has even been passed. Scammers are calling to request personal information such as bank account number, Social Security Number, or date of birth. Some scammers are claiming to help with direct deposit of the stimulus as well.

The government will not call you to ask for your personal information. Do not provide your bank account number, Social Security number, date of birth over the phone. Read more here.

Red Cross/Coronavirus Scam Alert – Several states have reported that people are impersonating Red Cross personnel. Individuals are going house to house doing one of three things:

1) Attempting to sell Red Cross services to perform a COVID-19 test
2) Solicit donations for COVID-19
3) Robbing the homeowner answering the door

The American Red Cross will not be going house to house offering COVID-19 testing, nor soliciting funds door to door.

For continued coronavirus updates, you can visit CCPHD online or on Facebook. Additional updates about coronavirus specifically can be found through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

February 2020

Coronavirus Scam Alert – The Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD) has received false reports of coronavirus (COVID-19) within Calhoun County. At this time, there are no positive or suspected cases of coronavirus in Calhoun County. Any coronavirus update will come directly from the CCPHD and/or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services directly.

CCPHD asks the public to share any information received regarding this false coronavirus claim with CCPHD by e-mailing publichealth@calhouncountymi.gov<mailto:publichealth@calhouncountymi.gov> or calling 269-969-6341.

For continued coronavirus updates, you can visit CCPHD online or on Facebook. Additional updates about coronavirus specifically can be found through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

February 2018

Social Security Scam – Recently, a growing scam has been circulating where a caller will claim to work for the Social Security Administration (SSA) and state that your social security number has been suspended because of suspicious activity, or because it’s been involved in a crime. They will often ask you to confirm your social security number in order to reactivate it. The caller may also claim that your bank account is about to be seized and to purchase gift cards in order to keep your money safe. The caller will also ask for you to provide the gift card codes. Your caller ID may say that the call is coming from the SSA number (1-800-772-1213), but the scammer is faking that phone number.

“SSA will never call to threaten your benefits or tell you to wire money, send cash, or put money on gift cards. Anyone who tells you to do those things is a scammer. Every time,” warns the SSA website. “Never give any part of your Social Security number to anyone who contacts you. Or your bank account or credit card number.”

Scam calls are a persistent threat to seniors,” reminds Fales. If you feel you’ve been the victim of fraud or attempted fraud, please use the Toll-free Committee on Aging Hotline to report it at 1-855-303-9470. Keep up with local scam reports by visiting our website at www.carewellservices.org. For other concerns or questions, call CareWell Services Southwest at 1-800-626-6719 or 269/441–0930. Call us! We’re here to help.

November 2018

Medicare Scam/Illegal Marketing Alert – Last week, a MMAP client told us about a well-dressed man who knocked on his door in Post Edition, pushing a plan “better than your current Medicare plan.” He proceeded to state that the client’s doctors “didn’t even work with the plan the client had just enrolled in for next year.” We know this was untrue, as MMAP had phoned ALL the clients providers to verify participation prior to enrollment.

The man stated that the client’s spouse might be able to get paid for caregiving for her ill husband. This is also NOT a Medicare benefit. The client’s wife became suspicious when the man asked for the client’s Medicare card, “to check on benefits” and then he refused to accept the new style Medicare card—he wanted the OLD one, which had the Social Security Number on it! She told him to leave, and he did. However, the man was observed continuing to door-knock in Post Edition later that day, November 20, 2018.

It is illegal for Part D or Medicare Advantage Plan insurance sellers to sell door-to-door.  They have to have a prior specific invitation from you to come to your home.

Medigap sellers ARE permitted to sell door to door. Legitimate sellers will know the marketing regulations, and will be willing to show their business card AND their legal ID/Drivers License to prove they are who they say they are.

If they won’t let you see their ID, don’t show them yours!

Please be alert for these predators. Save any business cards they give you, snap a cell phone picture of them or their vehicles if you can do so safely, and report the scam to MMAP or 1-800-Medicare, or call the local police.

Stay alert, stay safe, and don’t share your personal information with random uninvited strangers, no matter how well-groomed and well- dressed they might be!

July 2018

Door to Door Sales – The products offered may vary, but the red flags to look out for are that the deal sounds too good to be true and that a payment or down payment is needed immediately.

Storm Chasers – These scammers come around after bad weather may have caused some damage to your home or property. They may volunteer to help remedy some damages for a small, up front fee. Do not pay up front for any services and avoid paying in cash.

IRS Scams – Scammers posing as IRS agents may call to demand overdue tax payments or fees. This is a fraudulent call! The IRS will never call you to demand payment.

Read more about summer scams in our area. 

A Message from
Calhoun County 911

UPDATE: AT&T wireless is currently experiencing a nationwide outage. You may have difficulty calling 911 if your cell carrier is AT&T or your provider uses the AT&T wireless network.
 
For affected customers: If you need to get ahold of 911, first attempt to use your cellular device as 911 may still work in ‘SOS’ or similar emergency mode.
 
If you are unable to get through, try calling while connected to WiFi with settings that allow calls on WiFi mode. It may take a couple minutes for your call to go through.
AT&T is working to correct this issue.
 
CC911: We are aware of the current AT&T outage and currently trying to get the issue resolved.
Skip to content