Counterfeit Check Scams
Just to show you how many different counterfeit cashiers' checks and regular checks are circulating out there, we obtained information from the FDIC listing out all known counterfeit documents floating around.
We want to acknowledge that these banks have good reputations and if you receive a check from someone that banks at one of the following institutions, it does not necessarily mean it is a bad check. Just remember where you got the check. If it was from a friend, then you can be sure for the most part it is good. If it is from someone you do not know to help pay taxes on monies you won in a contest - rest assured it is bad!
Today's Alerts for counterfeit check scams
The following counterfeit items have been reported in circulation:
Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Anchor Bank, National Association, St. Paul, Minnesota
Bank of Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita, California
Central Valley Community Bank, Clovis, California
Citizens Bank & Trust, Inc., Trenton, Georgia
Citizens and Farmers Bank, West Point, Virginia
Collin Bank of Frisco, Texas
Great Western Bank, Watertown, South Dakota
Greenfield Banking Company, Greenfield, Indiana
Mariners Bank, Edgewater, New Jersey
Union State Bank, West Salem, Wisconsin
Counterfeit Checks
Cambridge State Bank, Cambridge, Minnesota
Citizens Community Federal, Altoona, Wisconsin
Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, New York
Mutual Federal Savings and Mutual Federal Bank, Chicago, Illinois
Wells Federal Bank, Wells, Minnesota
First Savings Bank of Hegewisch, Lansing, Illinois
CapitalBank, Greenwood, South Carolina
Ever Bank Corp, Jacksonville, Florida
First Federal Bank, Portsmouth, Ohio
Franklin Bank, Woodstown, New Jersey
Security Bank of Kansas City
Gulf Oil Spill Scams
As the nation follows news of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, so do scammers. The Federal Trade Commission issued an alert urging consumers and businesses to watch out for con artists trying to take advantage of the oil spill in the gulf and to report their experiences to federal and state authorities.
Scammers will likely use e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, flyers, mailings and telephone calls to solicit money by claiming they're raising money for environmental causes or offering fraudulent services related to the oil spill. In reality, many could be trying to get inside your home or get access to your personal information.
You can check out any charity at the following website. www.charitynavigator.org
Remember, Scamnot...
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alerts@scamnot.org
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland/AARP Warn Seniors of Potential Medicare Scam
Scam targets $250 Medicare ‘Doughnut Hole’ rebate check recipients
OKLAHOMA CITY –Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, along with the AARP, informed seniors today about a new rebate check many will be receiving and also warned them to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to take advantage of them.
“With the recent downturn in the economy and the debate over the new healthcare law there is a lot of concern and confusion out there. The time is ripe for scam artists to take advantage of people,” said Holland. “I encourage people to take extra precautions as they purchase health insurance or make changes to their Medicare plans and benefits.”
Holland said Oklahomans will begin receiving “$250 rebate disbursement” checks today. The checks are being sent by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to about 4 million seniors, potentially including as many 250,000 Oklahomans, who fall into the “doughnut hole” coverage gap.
Holland said that reports have already surfaced of scammers offering to assist Medicare beneficiaries in receiving their checks.
“Qualified beneficiaries will receive their checks automatically and are not required to fill out any forms. You don’t need to provide any personal information like your Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers to get the rebate check,” said Holland. “Don’t give your personal information to anyone who calls you about the check.”
Medicare will automatically send qualified beneficiaries the one-time $250 rebate check after they reach the coverage gap. A member’s Explanation of Benefits notice will tell members how much they have spent on covered drugs and if and when they enter the coverage gap, or “doughnut hole.”
According to the AARP, the $250 payment is designed to offset costs associated with the Medicare drug coverage gap—known as the “doughnut hole”. In 2010, the Medicare Part D annual deductible is $310. After the deductible is met, the beneficiaries are responsible for 25 percent ($630) of prescription drug costs while the plan pays 75 percent up to a total of $2,830. The beneficiaries fall into the doughnut hole when costs reach $2,830 and then pay 100 percent out-of-pocket—up to an additional $3,610—for a total of $4,550 true out-of-pocket (This includes the deductible ($310), the 25 percent of the initial $2,830 ($630) and the $3,610 from the gap). At this point, catastrophic coverage begins and the plan pays 95 percent of prescription drug costs through the end of year.
Beginning in 2011, there will be a 50 percent discount on name-brand prescription drugs for people in the doughnut hole; and by 2020, the doughnut hole will close completely according to current law.
Scammers Take Advantage of Medicare Beneficiaries
Consumers should be on the lookout for scammers hoping to take advantage of the confusion surrounding the details of the new health reform law, especially with distribution of the $250 rebate checks.
Here are some red flags to look out for:
• Be wary of anyone who tells you to take special action to receive your rebate. Scammers will try to convince Medicare beneficiaries to transfer their checks to a third party to cover specific prescription drug payments. You do not have to do anything to receive your rebate check. A check will be issued automatically once you reach the threshold.
• No personal information is needed. Scam artists may ask for your checking or savings account information and say that the check will be direct-deposited into your account. This is not true. It will be mailed out to the address the U.S. Social Security Department has on file for you. Do not give out your personal information to anyone.
Commissioner Holland encourages any Oklahoman with questions or concerns or feels they have been a victim of Medicare fraud to contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s SMP Division at 1-888-967- 9100.
-30-
ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
SMP is a part of the Oklahoma Insurance Department and receives a mixture of federal and state funds to inform the public about Medicare and Medicaid fraud as well as other senior health insurance issues. SMP stands ready to assist and answer questions regarding Medicare Part D fraud.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
Marc D. Young
Assistant Insurance Commissioner
Public Affairs
OKLAHOMA CITY –Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, along with the AARP, informed seniors today about a new rebate check many will be receiving and also warned them to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to take advantage of them.
“With the recent downturn in the economy and the debate over the new healthcare law there is a lot of concern and confusion out there. The time is ripe for scam artists to take advantage of people,” said Holland. “I encourage people to take extra precautions as they purchase health insurance or make changes to their Medicare plans and benefits.”
Holland said Oklahomans will begin receiving “$250 rebate disbursement” checks today. The checks are being sent by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to about 4 million seniors, potentially including as many 250,000 Oklahomans, who fall into the “doughnut hole” coverage gap.
Holland said that reports have already surfaced of scammers offering to assist Medicare beneficiaries in receiving their checks.
“Qualified beneficiaries will receive their checks automatically and are not required to fill out any forms. You don’t need to provide any personal information like your Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers to get the rebate check,” said Holland. “Don’t give your personal information to anyone who calls you about the check.”
Medicare will automatically send qualified beneficiaries the one-time $250 rebate check after they reach the coverage gap. A member’s Explanation of Benefits notice will tell members how much they have spent on covered drugs and if and when they enter the coverage gap, or “doughnut hole.”
According to the AARP, the $250 payment is designed to offset costs associated with the Medicare drug coverage gap—known as the “doughnut hole”. In 2010, the Medicare Part D annual deductible is $310. After the deductible is met, the beneficiaries are responsible for 25 percent ($630) of prescription drug costs while the plan pays 75 percent up to a total of $2,830. The beneficiaries fall into the doughnut hole when costs reach $2,830 and then pay 100 percent out-of-pocket—up to an additional $3,610—for a total of $4,550 true out-of-pocket (This includes the deductible ($310), the 25 percent of the initial $2,830 ($630) and the $3,610 from the gap). At this point, catastrophic coverage begins and the plan pays 95 percent of prescription drug costs through the end of year.
Beginning in 2011, there will be a 50 percent discount on name-brand prescription drugs for people in the doughnut hole; and by 2020, the doughnut hole will close completely according to current law.
Scammers Take Advantage of Medicare Beneficiaries
Consumers should be on the lookout for scammers hoping to take advantage of the confusion surrounding the details of the new health reform law, especially with distribution of the $250 rebate checks.
Here are some red flags to look out for:
• Be wary of anyone who tells you to take special action to receive your rebate. Scammers will try to convince Medicare beneficiaries to transfer their checks to a third party to cover specific prescription drug payments. You do not have to do anything to receive your rebate check. A check will be issued automatically once you reach the threshold.
• No personal information is needed. Scam artists may ask for your checking or savings account information and say that the check will be direct-deposited into your account. This is not true. It will be mailed out to the address the U.S. Social Security Department has on file for you. Do not give out your personal information to anyone.
Commissioner Holland encourages any Oklahoman with questions or concerns or feels they have been a victim of Medicare fraud to contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s SMP Division at 1-888-967- 9100.
-30-
ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
SMP is a part of the Oklahoma Insurance Department and receives a mixture of federal and state funds to inform the public about Medicare and Medicaid fraud as well as other senior health insurance issues. SMP stands ready to assist and answer questions regarding Medicare Part D fraud.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.
Marc D. Young
Assistant Insurance Commissioner
Public Affairs
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