Tag Archives: fraud

Scam ads prey on patients seeking mental health treatment through local Pine Rest organization

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Those seeking mental health and/or substance abuse treatment are being targeted with fraudulent scam ads, delaying needed care (Courtesy, U.S. Army)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Pine Rest issues warning about fraudulent online ads (Courtesy photo)

People searching online for Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services on their mobile devices are encountering fraudulent third-party organizations instead of the Pine Rest organization.

“Third-party organizations, using carefully crafted language to present themselves as affiliates of Pine Rest, appear near the top of search results and fraudulently claim they can assist individuals with placement in our services,” states a recent Pine Rest press release.

Attorney General Dana Nessel also issued a warning statement that the phone number found online may not actually connect them to Pine Rest.

“This appears to be a cruel scheme targeting those suffering from substance abuse disorder, striking treatment-seeking victims in a moment of courage, when they’ve finally sought professional help,” said Nessel.

Preying on the vulnerable

It is crucial to ensure those seeking help receive the correct care (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Pine Rest is a mental health care service provider for West Michigan. Located on the south side of Grand Rapids, Pine Rest is known for their variety of mental health services.

Susan Langeland, Vice President of Continuum Development and Chief Information Officer for Pine Rest, said the fraudulent ads are taking advantage of very vulnerable people in a moment of crisis.

“When people think about seeking care, they mull it over, it takes them many times to actually pick up that phone to call for treatment,” said Langeland. “So when they do, we want to make sure that we get them connected to the right treatment, not being sent out of state and potentially delaying care this person desperately needs.”

Legitimacy of ads

The fraudulent ads use carefully crafted words to appear like a legitimate health care organization. When someone searching for care calls the number provided, scammers identify themselves as a Pine Rest clinician or hospital admissions for an affiliate organization.

“None of that is true,” said Langeland. “We have our own admissions department right there at Pine Rest campus on the south side of Grand Rapids. They are all employed by Pine Rest. We don’t use brokerage or placement firms.”

Pine Rest does not use brokerage or placement firms (Courtesy photo)

Many patients have been diverted out of state for potential treatment. While the locations given are actual treatment facilities, that does not mean patients are receiving the care they need.

“What we hear back from some of these patients is that they are actual locations,” said Langeland. “But as to what their treatment is, and what that looks like, and how that quality of care is, I can’t speak to any of that. We don’t know anybody at any of the locations that our patients have brought back to us.”

Fraudulent scam impact

Langeland went on to say that Pine Rest has no way of knowing how many people have been impacted by these scams.

“We’re reliant on people to let us know,” Langeland said. “Some people reach out right away and say, ‘That was really weird interaction with you,’ and file a formal complaint. Others just go about their day-to-day, and we don’t know.”

Fear of judgment can stop people from coming forward with their scam experiences (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

The authorities and Attorney General are working with Pine Rest to gather information regarding the scam ads. However, some patients who issued complaints do not want to be part of the investigation due to fear of judgment.

“Unfortunately, we still have stigma,” said Langeland, adding that it is hard for some people to trust that the system is going to take care of the issue, and that there is no stigma attached.

The patients who have agreed to participate in the investigation do so because they don’t want anyone else to fall victim to the scams.

“Their experience was not one that they enjoyed, and they don’t want this to happen to anyone else in a moment when they are trying to seek help,” said Langeland.

How to avoid scam ads

Go directly to a company’s website instead of clicking on a sponsored ad (Courtesy photo)

When people seek substance use care in a moment of crisis, Langeland said, they are using their phones quickly, getting online and searching Pine Rest. “And these sponsored ads would come up that look like Pine Rest.”

In a moment of crisis, that person does not look for details on a sponsored ad to ensure it is legitimate. They simply click on the link that looks like it will lead them to the resources they need.

Pine Rest stresses the importance of going to an organization’s website, making sure you talk to someone from the organization, and being conscious of what information you are giving out over the phone so you are not taken advantage of.

Pine Rest is working with their legal team and law enforcement to figure out options regarding the scams.

Though Pine Rest has no control over sponsored ads, Langeland hopes authorities will find a way to restrict the scammers from claiming to be Pine Rest or affiliated with Pine Rest.

Pine Rest availability

Pine Rest does have openings for people seeking substance use and mental health services.

“When people say we don’t have any availability, that is not actually the case,” said Langeland.


Pine Rest does have availability and is ready to help those seeking care (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Pine Rest resources/contact information

All contact information for Pine Rest services can be found on their website.

Individuals seeking mental health and/or addiction services may also reach Pine Rest by phone:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE 24/7: 616-455-5000 or toll-free at 800-678-5500

FOR OUTPATIENT ASSISTANCE (Standard Business Hours): 866-852-4001

3 tips to help your loved one avoid fraud

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


Senior abuse in the form of financial scams is a huge problem—especially as scammers are changing tactics and taking advantage of fears and uncertainties. In fact, recent reports say anywhere from 3 billion to 30 billion dollars are lost every year as a result of senior financial scams. With these high numbers in mind, it’s important that you do your part to help protect your loved ones. 

1. Visit elderly family members regularly

One of the best ways to prevent fraud is to keep in contact with your senior family members. By visiting and talking with them, you can stay up to date on their daily lives and be the first to hear about suspicious new “friends” who might be having an undue influence on their financial decisions. 


Seniors who are isolated from their families and don’t have active social lives are often the first targets of scammers, since a senior without a strong support system is more likely to believe a lie and fall victim to fraud. 

2. Warn your loved one about common scams

Most scams happen over the phone or online, as scammers can impersonate people of authority. Scammers will either act charming to influence seniors, or act like there is a serious emergency in order to trick them. Here are a few of the most common elderly scams you can warn your loved one about. 

Social Security & IRS scams

A common scam involves a perpetrator pretending to be an authority from the Social Security office or the IRS. They will tell a victim that there is a major problem with their account, and if they don’t immediately give out personal information to clear up the problem they could face legal action or arrest.


This scam can scare seniors into giving away their Social Security number or banking information to avoid threats. However, it’s important to explain to seniors that the Social Security office and IRS will never threaten someone over the phone, and often don’t reach out by phone at all—especially when asking for personal information.

Charity scams

Some scammers try and take advantage of kind-hearted seniors by pretending to be from a charity asking for donations. Assure your loved one that if they get a call from a charity and want to contribute, there will be other ways they can donate or volunteer their time than by giving out information over the phone. 

Internet & tech support scams

Scammers like to take advantage of the lack of knowledge many seniors have surrounding technology. For example, seniors can receive a phone call or pop-up claiming their computer is infected with a virus, and the problem can’t be resolved until the victim verifies their identity by handing over a Social Security number or other piece of information. 


Remind your loved one that they should never give out personal information to an unverified source, especially if the other person is making the situation seem suspiciously urgent.

Lottery & fake prize scams

Another set of scams are lottery and prize scams. These will try to convince seniors to hand over a small amount of money for “taxes and fees” with the promise that a larger amount of winnings and prizes will be given to the victim after the first transaction clears. Tell your loved one that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

Grandparent scams

These scams involve a perpetrator pretending to be a family member who is in an emergency and needs quick money. Often they say that they need money immediately to cover rent and expenses, lawyer fees, bail, or medical bills. They will request that the victim keep this transaction a secret from the rest of the family out of shame or embarrassment. 


To protect your loved one, tell them to ensure they are speaking to someone they know and can verify that the situation is legitimate. If they aren’t certain, have them hang up and call a trusted family member.

3. Always advise caution with finances

While you don’t want to frighten your loved one into never making a transaction again, it’s important they are aware of the dangers of financial scams and that they can be a target. Come up with a plan together, and include things like:

  • Blocking solicitation calls with the help of an app or phone provider
  • Having your loved one call you before agreeing to anything suspicious
  • Talking to their bank to see what measures can be taken to limit the damage of a scam
  • Creating a separate bank account that houses a majority of their savings that isn’t connected to a card or their primary checking account
  • Setting a spending limit on debit cards

Remember:

While seniors can be targeted by strangers, most elder financial abuse comes from other family members, so keep an eye on anyone who becomes too invested in your loved one’s financial situation. If you or your loved one believes they have been targeted by a scammer, report it to the police immediately or call the number below to talk through the options for reporting fraud.


AARP Fraud Watch Network Hotline (877-908-3360)


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.


Protecting Ourselves from Fraud — Watch out for ‘fake bills’

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By Regina Salmi, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

A few weeks ago, I came home to an envelope on my kitchen counter and a note from my mother-in-law, stating “I received this bill. I will pay it tomorrow.” It was a bill for $179.00. I called her immediately and told her not to pay the bill. Her response, “Well, I already put a check in the mail.”

 

My mother-in-law didn’t owe anyone $179.00. She knew there was something wrong with the bill, which is why she brought it to my house and left a note. In the two hours between the time she left my house and I returned her call though, she convinced herself it was something she must owe, wrote out a check and put it in the mail. It took several phone calls, a check cancellation fee, and three days to resolve the issue. At the end of it, my mother-in-law exclaimed, “Why I’ve never gotten into so much trouble for paying a bill!”

 

Of the many scams out there right now, one of them involves ‘fake bills’. Scammers produce mailings pretending to be companies like Consumers Energy, AT&T, and even the IRS — companies with whom most people would likely have an account. These mailings claim that there is a past-due amount and the bill needs to be paid immediately to avoid legal action.

 

These scams prey on values like stewardship, responsibility, trustworthiness, and honesty. They also prey on fear. People like my mother-in-law would be troubled to think they owe a utility company money and inclined to pay it immediately. When people pay these fake bills though, they lose more than money. In the process of paying, whether by check or credit card, they are releasing even more personal information to these criminals. In addition, because they fell for the scam, their information is sold to other unscrupulous people for future scams. An innocent person can become stuck in a terrible web of fraud.

 

It’s important that we begin to develop behaviors to protect ourselves from those who want to take advantage of us. There are actions we can take to avoid becoming their prey when we encounter these scams.

 

Don’t Panic. Even if something says, “Pay Immediately!” you can allow yourself 3-5 days to make sure the bill is legitimate. It is much more difficult to unpay a bill than it is to pay it.

 

Be skeptical. Did the bill come in a different envelope than your usual bill? Does the account information match your current account information? Do you owe this company money? Nancy Kropiewnicki, AAAWM Contract Administrator and Coordinator of the Kent County Elder Abuse Coalition, advises, “Being skeptical needs to be our first response when we receive these requests and we need to take the time to make sure it is legitimate before we send anyone our money.”

 

Check your records. Confirm the accuracy of the bill. Whether we write it down, keep a file of previous bills, use our bank’s bill pay service, or sign up for an online account with companies we do business with, we should be able to find out rather quickly whether we owe money.

 

If you’re questioning a bill, compare account numbers. Often the fake bill has a completely different account number than your actual account. Additionally, Kropiewnicki warns, “Do not call the phone number listed on the bill as it is most likely fraudulent. Look up the company’s phone number on a previous bill, the phone book or Google and call to verify the authenticity of the bill.” Calling the number listed on the bill could result in more scams coming your way.

 

Get another set of eyes on it. Do you have a friend or family member who would agree to be your go-to person for questionable bills/requests for payment? If you don’t have someone, you could ask your bank teller to review it, a staff person at your senior center, or trusted member of your church. It’s important to have another person look at it who might be able to notice oddities about the bill that you did not. 

 

Educate yourself. The Michigan State Attorney General website has a page dedicated to consumer alerts. You can also access help and resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

 

The bottom line is take your time. Kropiewnicki states, “Scammers use fear tactics to frighten people into paying phantom bills. They threaten legal action and arrest. Don’t fall for it!”

 

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, contact your local law enforcement agency for help. Financial exploitation can also be reported to Adult Protective Services at (855) 444-3911. If you’re not sure where to turn, you can also call Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (888) 456-5664 or email us aaainfo@aaawm.org.

Avoid financial and identity theft scams: What to watch out for

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By Ellen A. Winter, Grand Wealth Management

 

Young or old, wealthy or poor, online or in person … nobody is immune from financial scams and identity theft slams. No matter who you are or how well-informed you may be, the bad guys are out there, daily devising new tricks for every fraud we fix. 

 

Financial fraudsters and identity thieves are after your assets and your personal information. Thieves use any means possible to obtain your most treasured personal information, including social security and driver’s license numbers, financial account and credit card numbers, passwords, birthdates and any other about your life that can help them pull off their scams.

 

So, how can you protect yourself? Criminal techniques may be new-fangled, but the red flags to look for are not. Whether online, in the mail, on the phone or in person, be on high alert for any of the following experiences.

  1. An offer sounds too good to be true.
  2. A stranger wants to be your real or virtual best friend.
  3. Someone you know is behaving oddly, especially via email or phone. This may mean it’s an identity thief, posing as someone you know.
  4. Someone claiming to represent a government agency, financial or legal firm, police department or other authority contacts you out of the blue, demanding money or information.
  5. You’re feeling pressured or tricked into responding immediately to a threat, a temptation or a curiosity.
  6. You’re prioritizing easy access over solid security with weak or absent locks and passwords.
  7. You’re sharing personal information in a public venue, including social media sites.
  8. Facts or figures aren’t adding up; bank statements, reports or other information is missing entirely.
  9. Your defenses are down: you’re ill, injured, grieving, experiencing dementia or feeling blue.
  10. Your gut is warning you: something seems off.


If you feel you’ve been victimized, or any of the above has occurred, check all online accounts, call your financial institutions and credit card companies, and check in with the government agency responsible for overseeing the breach such as the IRS for tax fraud, or the FTC for anything else.

Kent County Sheriff Dept. warns of phone scams

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By the Kent County Sheriff Department

 

Residents of Kent County are again being contacted by individuals claiming to be from the IRS. Below is an example of one of the voicemails:

 

“Hello, we have been trying to reach you. This call is officially a final notice from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). The reason of this call is to inform you that the IRS is filing a lawsuit against you. To get more information about this case file, please call immediately on our department number (gives number). Thank you.”

 

If you call the number provided, they will often ask you to obtain a prepaid credit card from a local store and provide them the credit card number.

 

This is another reminder that these are scams. Once the money is taken from the credit card, there is very little law enforcement can do to identify the suspect and recover the money. The suspect(s) are often not from the area and are difficult to identify because they use spoofed phone numbers that change frequently and are problematic to trace.

 

Other common scams include the following:

  • A stranger sends you a check and asks you to cash the check and keep some of the money. A different variation of this is a Craig’s List transaction where the buyer “accidentally” overpays and asks you to cash the check and send them the amount of the overpayment. The banks will most likely cash the check and not realize the check is forged until several days later. You are then financially responsible for the amount of the bad check.
  • We are also getting complaints of residents being contacted by a person saying they have found a virus on the resident’s computer. They ask for remote access to the computer and then hold the computer hostage until a ransom is paid.
  • A person contacts you over the phone and claims to be your relative who has been arrested. They ask you to provide them with the number off a prepaid credit card for bond money.

If a stranger asks you to provide them with a prepaid credit number or iTunes card, it is a scam.

 

The best way to avoid these scams is to avoid talking to them on the phone. We are aware of all of these scams and the many variations in our area, and there is no reason to report them to law enforcement unless you are a victim who suffers a loss as a result of one of these calls.

Tips on Identity Theft and Exploitation Prevention

Area Education, Senior Living, , ,

If an offer seems too good to be true,

it really is!

Identity theft is real and the exploitation of the weak and elderly is on the increase. Seniors be informed and aware!

by Patricia Riley and Janice Limbaugh

That’s the message of  Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones – The Realities Behind Physical, Emotional, and Financial Elder Abuse,  a six-speaker forum of professionals coordinated by the Area Agency on Aging and the Kent County Elder Abuse Coalition. The group recently provided a free seminar to citizens at the Wyoming Senior Center and will repeat the event on Tuesday, June 10 at the Forest Hill Fine Arts building. no

Topics of discussion covered a gamut of abuses on seniors and how to recognize abuse and report it to authorities. Each year, 15 million people in the U.S. experience identity theft or fraud. Of that number, approximately 90,000 Michigan seniors are vulnerable subjects.

“Out of the fifty states in America, Michigan ranks number four with highest crimes concerning fraud and identity theft,” says Glenn Sweeney, vice president of Chemical Bank’s Loss Division, one of the speakers at the event.

“People steal personal information from vulnerable adults by searching through trash bins, dumpsters, and mail boxes.”

Other unsuspecting and common methods of identity theft he says include pulling names, addresses, and phone numbers from entry forms for drawings as well as rerecording voices from voicemail messages in order to recreate a false message from the victim.

“Be very careful about going to ATM machines,” Sweeney warned the attendees, “Sometimes criminals place cameras on top of the machine to get your personal information. Be sure to use your hand to cover entering your pin so they cannot get that information. Play it safe!”

Nancy Kropiewnicki, Contract Coordinator with the Area Agency and Aging and Coordinator of the Kent county Elder Abuse Coalition, coordinated the forum which features: Assistant Chief Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker,  elder law attorney, author and founder of Safe Place Consulting, Beth Swangman, Mike Faber of The Learning Center for Older Adults at Grand Rapids Community College, Regional Coordinator of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan Bob Callery, Michigan State Police Trooper Martin Miller, and Glenn Sweeney of Chemical Bank Loss Division.

The focus of the forum is not only to create abuse awareness among senior citizens but to also encourage reporting elder abuse and exploitation to authorities.

Assistant Chief Prosecutor Becker says that vulnerable adults of elder abuse are targeted because of age, developmental disability, mental disability, illness, or physical disability that requires supervision or personal care.

“To be a vulnerable adult you do not have to be completely out of it,” she says. “One out of eight abuse cases are reported. Sometimes the victim doesn’t know they are being abused or doesn’t want to report the abuse.”

She adds that the abuser can be an unsuspecting individual like a church or family member, a caregiver, a neighbor, a guardian or Power of Attorney to name a few. Many times it’s a person with authority over a vulnerable adult she says.

“Just because people have power to conduct business for the victim, does not give them the right to abuse their power because they are guardian” says Becker.

“We have done a good job persecuting criminals committing crimes relating to elder abuse in Kent County. But, on the contrary, many cases don’t go to trial because people do not report the crimes.”

This forum and others like it are created in hopes that Michiganders will step up and speak out by reporting elder abuse.

“The forums are also created to let seniors know we have people who care about them and they do not have to be afraid to report issues concerning abuse,” Becker states.

Attorney Beth Swangman took the floor saying, “Abuse comes in many forms. It can be physical abuse or threats, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse.”

Her long list of abuse includes signs of the obvious such as bruises, broken bones, bed sores, poor hygiene, and genital injury, but also inconspicuous signs such as a change in financial status, depression and withdrawal from social activities and people, loss of bowel control and incontinence, strained or tense relationships or deteriorating health due to medication in balance.

Swangman states that although elder abuse does not draw the same attention as child abuse, it should. As part of her commitment to the community, Swangman works hard to get the word out about elderly abuse.

“Elder abuse awareness must be created first in order to get to restoration, reconciliation, and forgiveness,” states Swangman, adding, “All abuse is accompanied by shame and fear. These are the reasons why people do not report them.”

One of the sources of elder abuse is caregiver stress. Mike Faber coordinates and teaches a program at GRCC to train people how to work with older adults. Faber states that 80 to 90 percent of caregiving is provided by family members. One in three households in Kent County is involved in some form of elder care. This is why, Faber states, “It’s important for caregivers to know the resources are out there to help ease the stress from giving care and avoid burn out.”

However, Faber says that only 10 to 20 percent of caregivers take advantage of the support available to them.

“Many caregivers abuse their love ones because they are burned out. Anybody can break. They think they are all alone and don’t seek help,” he explains.

“But in Kent County, we have the best aging network and community support services. The problem is people don’t know the services exist, or they don’t recognize themselves as being a caregiver. Are you a caregiver?”

Giving the heads-up on scams in West Michigan was Trooper Martin Miller. He listed such scams as: international lottery scams through documents sent via email from the United Kingdom; individuals calling pretending to be a grandchild who is overseas, is in some kind of trouble and needs bond money.

“Police have no way of tracing these scams to help you get the money back you have sent through Western Union,” he warns.

Other known phone scams in West Michigan include: a request for money for the ‘fireman support group,’ ‘police memorial fund,’ political organizations, hurricane relief, or calls stating you have won a lottery and owe money for sales taxes.

“If you wish to donate to a cause, go directly to the offices of these organizations yourself,” he stresses. “Please do not give information out to anybody. You don’t know who is on the other end of the phone.”

According to Trooper Miller, latest scam trends in the area are coming through the mail as official-looking letters from court. The letters state that a license may be suspended if an unpaid ticket is not paid. After the fine is not paid, the victim receives another letter from a fake collection agency stating that now a warrant is issued and the victim maybe arrested.

“If we have a warrant for your arrest, we will come straight to your door” states Miller.
Other trendy scams to be aware of are people requesting deposits for home repair work to be performed, phony census workers asking for personal information, and buying into bogus offers to get discounts on future purchases.

“Never give perpetrators your social security number, bank numbers, credit card number and do not send money in advance. If the offer is too good to be true, IT IS!” stresses Miller.
Bob Callery, regional coordinator of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan discusses Medicare fraud and abuse.

“Over a million people per year are affected by medical identity theft,” he says. “The average cost per incident of medical identity theft is approximately $20,000.” He explains that Medicare fraud is committed when criminal calls stating you have reached your limit and need to pay.

For the record, Medicare will never call you stating you have reached your limit. If you get a call from someone stating they are from Medicare and you’ve reached your limit and owe money, Callery says too call the Senior Medicare Patrol Program (SMPP) and report the incident.

“Protect your Medicare card,” he stresses. “Always read and compare your Medicare Summary Notice, or MSN that is sent to you through the mail by Medicare. The notice shows the services you have used. Report any doctors or services on your report you might not recognize. If you notice something suspicious, call the SMPP.”

Callery also advises seniors to track or log all their medical services for verification. Personal information should only be given out to Medicaid or Medicare approved doctors and suppliers. He suggests taking labels off prescription bottles before throwing them away as a way of protecting personal information.

The information provided at this event is beneficial to seniors, caregivers and family members. It pays to be aware. To learn more about elder abuse, fraud, or exploitation contact:

The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan: 616-222-7025
Kent County Prosecutor: 616-632-6665
To file a complaint against a business or to check a business’s complaint history call 1-517-373-1140
The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, 616-456-5664 or 1-888-456-5664
Caregiver Resource Network: 616-234-3483
Michigan State Police: 616-666-4411
Elder Law Attorney Beth Swangman: 616-323-3443
Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-438-4338

or visit   http://www.protectkentseniors.org/