1. U TILIZING R ESOURCES AND I NFORMATION TO H ELP P ROTECT YOUR S ENIORS FROM F RAUD Barbara Parrott McGinity, LMSW Program Director Texas Senior Medicare Patrol

2. Set up guidelines for vendor behavior. DO NOT allow any information to be taken at table. Do not let people use the word FREE to promote a product or service. Do not allow vendors to give away door prizes from their tables. Use volunteers or staff to patrol and look for violations of guidelines. S ENIOR /H EALTH F AIRS

3. E DUCATIONAL P RESENTATIONS Establish guidelines and procedures for educational presentations. Request sample of materials that will be handed out. Do not allow the seniors to be alone with the presenter. Look for a local non-profit or government agency that can present the same information without a sales pitch.

4. T YPES OF P RESENTATIONS AND R ED F LAGS Medicare fraud DME companies with the “latest” in equipment. Medicare approved arthritis kits Scooters Free Tests or services Toe nail clipping Rolling lab – visits by doctor and nurse Flu shots Hearing aids/eye tests

5. T YPES OF P RESENTATIONS AND R ED F LAGS Insurance Medicare Advantage Plans Understand education vs marketing – cannot set appointments Medigap policies Different guidelines than MA plans – can solicit and telemarket Licensed agents ONLY Check to make sure they are licensed to sell the product by going to www.tdi.texas.gov.

6. T YPES OF P RESENTATIONS AND R ED F LAGS Financial planning Offers guaranteed rates Offers help to “veterans” to get their benefits Annuity scam Certified “Senior Advisors” Reverse Mortgages Legitimate but scams include offering senior free home, investment opportunities, and foreclosure or refinance assistance.

7. R ESOURCES Medicare fraud Senior Medicare Patrol volunteers if in area SMP materials for handouts DVD – Recognizing the Bad Guys Contact SMP: www.texassmp.org or 1-888-341-6187www.texassmp.org Federal Drug Administration – www.fda.gov Health fraud information (anti-aging scams and scams related to promises of restored youth and cures)

8. R ESOURCES ( CONTINUED ) Insurance Texas Department of Insurance – free materials and handouts at www.tdi.texas.govwww.tdi.texas.gov Financial Securities and Exchange Commission “Senior Care Package” www.sec.govwww.sec.gov Texas State Securities Board Investor Education – materials free at www.texasinvestored.orgwww.texasinvestored.org Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – NEW, www.consumerfinance.gov www.consumerfinance.gov

9. R ESOURCES ( CONTINUED ) Federal Trade Commission – www.ftc.gov Identity theft information Texas Elder Financial Exploitation Project Can assist victims of financial exploitation Texas Legal Services – www.tlsc.orgwww.tlsc.org Postal Inspector – ww.postalinspectors.uspis.gov Sweepstakes scams, lottery scams, identity theft info Better Business Bureau – www.bbb.orgwww.bbb.org Check out companies first, but also access to articles, tips and current scams

10. P RESENTATION R ESOURCES Texas State Securities Board Investment fraud U. S. Postal Inspector Sweepstakes and mail fraud/identity theft Social Security Identity theft Local Better Business Bureau Scams/contractor tips/etc. Local Sheriff/Constable/District or County Attorney Home and personal safety/identity theft