Don’t fall for free health care screening scams
- Kim Thompson: Better Business Bureau
- April 17, 2018
- 1599
“Free health screening!” This offer often pops up at local health fairs, senior housing and community centers. Screenings are mostly an affordable way to stay on top of your health, and most providers are legitimate, but BBB has been hearing about scammers who use them as bait to steal sensitive personal information from unsuspecting victims.
You show up for your free health screening, and the representative asks you to fill out a sign-in sheet. This sheet asks for standard information such as your name. But it also requests sensitive information such as your Medicare or Social Security number. In some versions “health company reps” claim that your health plan will cover the cost and send you the results. All you need to do is provide your ID and plan information.
Don’t fall for it. Scammers may go through the motions of the health screening such as taking your blood pressure or cholesterol levels, only to use your personal information later. Scammers can use this information to bill your insurance for thousands of dollars’ worth of tests, gain access to your personal genetic information or simply steal your identity.
Guard your personal information carefully. Never give your medical insurance ID number, Social Security number or banking information to strangers.
It is illegal to accept anything of value in exchange for medical services. Never trade personal information for “free” tests.
Don’t consent to lab tests without direct orders from your doctor. Protect yourself and your health insurance benefits.
Keep a close eye on correspondence from your medical insurance provider. Inform your provider right away if you notice any unauthorized changes or charges.
Read more about health-care scams at www.bbb.org/healthcarescam. Learn more about how to protect yourself from Medicare fraud at www.medicare.gov.
If you’ve fallen victim to this type of scam, you can help others avoid being scammed by filing a report with www.bbb.org/ScamTracker. Learn more about other scams and how to avoid them at www.bbb.org/scamtips.
Visit www.bbb.org/canton or call 330-454-9401 to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, report a scam with Scam Tracker, read tips, follow us on social media and more.