Phone Scammers Targeting Elderly Residents, Police Say

Residents should be mindful about scammers who have called elderly Wayne residents recently, Wayne police said.

One scam involves receiving a call from someone, usually a woman, explaining that the potential victim needs to replace his or her Medicare insurance card.

The caller tells the resident that The Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, requires the resident be given a new card, police said, and asks for the person’s banking information.

Some of the victims reported the caller had an accent that was difficult to understand, police said.

Another scam involves receiving an automated phone call advising someone they can receive a medical alert system free of charge. If interested, they are transferred to someone who asks them for personal information.

The goal is to charge consumers $35 a month for alleged “monitoring” services.

New York state residents have been targeted as well. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman warned residents about the medical alert scam Thursday.

Scammers appear to be using telephone numbers with a 315 area code, Schneiderman’s notice stated.

One resident reported receiving both types of calls Wednesday night, police said.

Residents should call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General’s hotline at 800-447-8477 or click here.

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