Widespread scam over medical-alert devices shut down

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal and state regulators have shut down a multimillion-dollar scam that they said duped senior citizens into turning over their credit card information in exchange for purportedly free medical-alert devices.

The business hit senior citizens across the United States and Canada with robocalls claiming that they were eligible to receive a free alert system purchased by a friend or relative. Once the target agreed to receive the device, they were transferred to an operator who took their billing information and immediately began charging them for the service.

Government officials said Monday they received more than 66,000 complaints about the scam, which deliberately targeted the elderly.

“You call enough older consumers and you will find someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s,” said the Federal Trade Commission regional director Steven Baker at a press conference. “These people knew they were dealing with people who weren’t all there and they took their money.”

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20140114/LIVEWELL26/140119478/1697#widespread-scam-over-medical-alert-devices-shut-down

[tomm2thumbs]

1. and that's only the 66,000 who bothered to make complaints - imagine those that never got that far

I hope prosecutions are successful

[FarPoint]

2. I heard about this on Clark Howard Radio...

I can't stand these scumbags!

[dembotoz]

3. my 90+ year old mother has been targeted by these smucks

i have answered the phone when they called a couple of times

what is it with florida that allows such crooks to prosper

[melm00se]

6. among other things

it is very difficult to attach assets via civil judgments in Florida.

[RKP5637]

4. Pure scum! n/t

[Thor_MN]

5. My father and I have the same name

I think I get more than my share of scummy calls due to his age sometimes getting associated to my phone number. I'm almost to the point of giving up on a land line because half the time it's some asshole telling me that it's my "second and final notice".

[ananda]

7. OK, riddle me this.

If it was free, why would they ask for billing info?

I guess the affected seniors were more vulnerable mentally.

[question everything]

10. Probably for shipping and handling

This how all these "free" items, even the legit ones, operate.

[OKNancy]

8. I have been bombarded with those calls

Unfortunately for the scammers, I never answer calls from numbers I don't know.
I wouldn't have fallen for it if I had.

[Stuart G]

9. So have I. nt

[SCantiGOP]

16. I answer some

If it looks like it is a live call, rather than a recording, answer and then say, "I am interested, let me turn something down on the stove and I'll be right back." Put the phone down and see how long it is before they hang up.

[question everything]

11. "This is John from shipping. I am reading to ship..."

this is when we hang up.

What I want to know is how do they get the names of all the senior citizens.

Of course, many of us have often wondered how AARP gets our names when we turn 50..

[SCantiGOP]

17. Him: "Let me tell you why I'm reaching out to you today..."

Me: You're reaching out to me because your company is too stupid to know that I am on the Do Not Call List and now that I have your number I will file a complaint with the FCC. I strongly suggest you never call here again."
Ah, life's simple pleasures.

[safeinOhio]

12. Always ask for a phone # that you can call that person right back on.

If a person calling you will not give you the #, it is a scam. I've had them tell me they don't have a number. I say, you are calling on the phone, what is the number you are calling from and tell them if you can't give me YOUR number, this is a scam.

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. My friend here in KC was targeted by this bunch.

They called over and over. Finally they called and said that someone had paid for the device for her. She just had to sign up for the service.

She answered the phone and talked to them. I wouldn't have. I don't answer any calls coming in with weird area codes. Actually I don't answer any calls from numbers I don't recognise. If they leave a message then I call them back.

[dickthegrouch]

14. There oughta be a law

We should be able to go after even the telemarketers who participate in these schemes to obtain the 3x damages that RICO affords. These are Corrupt, Racketeering Organizations. They need to feel the pain - all of the participants.

[Purveyor]

15. My 86yo mother gets these calls at least 3 times a week. No worries however as we now keep

her credit card/checkbook under our supervisor (at her request from a bad experience a few year ago).

She does however enjoy screwing with these people and dragging out the call and talking to whomever she can get on the line.