Fed govt shutdown does not stop SS checks, but debt ceiling inaction will

According to a Wall Street Journal article published yesterday the Social Security Administration has begun answering questions posed by the public with warnings that it can no longer guarantee issuance of Social Security benefits after October 17, 2013 if no action is taken to increase the debt ceiling. Apparently this message was crafted after consultation with the US Treasury. There are currently no statements posted on either SSA's or Treasury's websites about the matter, we will update this post as soon as more information becomes available.

To get an idea of the potential impact in our state of this possibility, here are a few stats: in 2011 24% of West Virginians received benefits from Social Security, nearly 444,000 people. It was 9.3% of our state's annual GDP. Many of those beneficiaries have no income other than Social Security. 198,000 people were lifted out of poverty by Social Security benefits.

US Dept of Labor extends overtime and minimum wage protections to homecare workers

Effective January 1, 2015, most direct care workers will be required to receive federal minimum wage and overtime pay protections. Direct care workers are workers who provide home care services, such as certified nursing assistants, home health aides, personal care aides, caregivers, and companions.

The federal Department of Labor's Final Rule concerning domestic service workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) brings important minimum wage and overtime protection to the many workers who, by their service, enable individuals with disabilities and the elderly to continue to live independently in their homes and participate in their communities. The Final Rule, effective January 1, 2015, contains several significant changes from the prior regulations, including: (1) the tasks that comprise “companionship services” are more clearly defined; and (2) the exemptions for companionship services and live-in domestic service employees are limited to the individual, family, or household using the services; and (3) the recordkeeping requirements for employers of live-in domestic service employees are revised.

This rule makes no changes to the Department’s longstanding regulations concerning hours worked which are contained in 29 CFR 785.10-.45 about when the employee must be paid for time spent waiting, sleeping, and traveling.

For more information see the fact sheet from the DOL's Wage and Hour Division www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfsFinalRule.htm

Federal Guidance for banks about reporting financial exploitation

From the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today:

Seven federal regulatory agencies today issued guidance to clarify that the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act generally permit financial institutions to report suspected elder financial abuse to appropriate authorities.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act generally requires that a financial institution notify consumers and give them an opportunity to opt out before providing nonpublic personal information to a third party. Today’s guidance clarifies that it is generally acceptable under the law for financial institutions to report suspected elder financial abuse to appropriate local, state or federal agencies.

Older adults can be attractive targets for financial exploitation and may be taken advantage of by scam artists, financial advisors, family members, caregivers, or home repair contractors. Recent studies suggest that financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse and that only a small fraction of incidents is reported. Older adults often are targeted because they have retirement savings, accumulated home equity, or other assets. They also are more likely to experience cognitive decline, which can impair their capacity to recognize financial exploitation and scams.

Employees of financial institutions may be able to spot irregular transactions, account activity, or behavior that signals financial abuse. They can play a key role in preventing and detecting elder financial exploitation by reporting suspicious activities to the proper authorities.

The attached interagency guidance is being issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Trade Commission, National Credit Union Administration, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is issuing the document as staff guidance.

Making it harder to vote?

Source: http://www.advancementproject.org/issues/voter-protection

FTC Roundtable on Consumer Protection and New Healthcare Marketplaces

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, will host a roundtable in Washington, DC, on September 19, 2013, to discuss how to empower and protect consumers from scammers with the advent of healthcare marketplaces opening this fall under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Scammers follow the headlines, often seeking to exploit interest in new high-profile programs and developments in the marketplace. This discussion will bring together experts on the ACA, federal and state consumer protection officials, representatives of legal services and community-based organizations, and consumer advocates to discuss key features of the law, state approaches to implementation, and how to help consumers avoid potential scams.

“Consumer Protection and the Healthcare Marketplace” will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the FTC’s Satellite Building Conference Center, Room C, 601 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. The event will be webcast. Space is limited. To register to attend, please send an email with your name and organization to Tracey Thomas at tthomas@ftc.gov.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180

SSA processing spousal benefits for same-sex couples

On August 9, 2013 the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued a short (and sweet for spouses who have been waiting for their benefits) press release.

“I am pleased to announce that Social Security is now processing some retirement spouse claims for same-sex couples and paying benefits where they are due. The recent Supreme Court decision on Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, made just over a month ago, helps to ensure that all Americans are treated fairly and equally, with the dignity and respect they deserve.

We continue to work closely with the Department of Justice. In the coming weeks and months, we will develop and implement additional policy and processing instructions. We appreciate the public’s patience as we work through the legal issues to ensure that our policy is legally sound and clear.

I encourage individuals who believe they may be eligible for Social Security benefits to apply now, to protect against the loss of any potential benefits. We will process claims as soon as additional instructions become finalized.”

To learn more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

WVSLA encourages anyone who thinks he or she may be eligible for a spousal benefit now because DOMA has been overturned to apply for benefits. There is likely no harm in applying even if you are unsure of your eligibility, and by applying as soon as possible you preserve your claim as SSA continues to develop the specifics of its policies related to same-sex couples. Questions that have yet to be answered by SSA include whether couples legally married in one state but now living in another which does not recognize same-sex marriage, and whether civil unions and domestic partnerships will be considered legally on par with marriage.

Listen live today at 1p to state House Select Committee on PEIA, Seniors, & Long Term Care

Today 8/20/13 at 1p the WV House of Delegates Select Committee on PEIA, Seniors, and Long Term Care meets. You may be able to listen live at www.legis.state.wv.us/live.cfm. On the agenda today is a presentation from the state Bureau for Children and Families on the topic of elder abuse.

cool app for California law enforcement investigating elder abuse

One in ten older Americans experiences abuse or neglect each year. The numbers of abuse reports are growing at the same time that resources for agency responses are shrinking. To help California law enforcement in their work responding to abuse of elders and dependent adults (vulnerable adults with disabilities), the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect has partnered with the nonprofit Institute on Aging to develop a mobile app guide or "cheat sheet."

Named "368+ Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Guide for CA Law Enforcement" in reference to CA Penal Code 368, this product was developed with advice and assistance generously provided by colleagues from law enforcement, civil law, and medicine.

368+ Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Guide for CA Law Enforcement is now available for Droid devices, iPhones, and iPads. It can also be viewed on your mobile web browser.

For a limited time, this app is available free of charge, thanks to supporters like The Archstone Foundation, San Francisco Department on the Status of Women, and UniHealth Foundation. www.centeronelderabuse.org/368ElderAbuseCA.asp

Source: Nursing School Hub

SSA no longer requires surgery for gender marker change

On June 14, 2013 the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that it has changed its policy regarding changing your gender marker. If you have transitioned your gender you can get your Social Security record changed to reflect your new gender by providing to SSA at least ONE of the following documents:

• a valid 10 yr passport with the new gender
• a state-issued birth certificate with the new gender
• a court order directing legal recognition of the new gender
• a signed statement from a license physician (M.D. or D.O.) including specifically that the individual has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender

Surgery is no longer required to change the gender marker in your Social Security record. "Most people may not see this as a big deal, but transgender people know that this seemingly small technical change will protect their privacy and give them more control over their own lives" said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).

For more information see the SSA policy change here https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212200, and see an info sheet from the NCTE about how this policy change effects transgender people here www.transequality.org/Resources/SSAResource_June2013.pdf

Alzheimer's training videos for law enforcement

The IACP Alzheimer’s Initiatives Program has announced the release of a new training video: Responding to People with Alzheimer’s Disease: Best Practices for Law Enforcement. These FREE training videos are great for roll-call type training sessions and can be easily downloaded for viewing.

Please visit www.theiacp.org/alztrainingvideo to register and download the videos. We would also appreciate your assistance in spreading the word about this new resource – feel free to forward this along to your contacts who may be interested.

For additional resources that the IACP provides on this topic, please go to www.theiacp.org/alzheimers. Also, if you would like to order a DVD copy of the video, email alzheimers@theiacp.org.

WVSLA celebrates Rainbow Pride Week!

This year's theme is "All Together Now. . ." a recognition that no matter how diverse our communities are, when it comes to things like equality, love, and understanding, we speak with a united voice.

In our state capital there are a variety of activities planned, here is an agenda www.pridewv.org/pride-week-2013

Talking Through Identity Theft: a free webinar for people who are blind/visually impaired

On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 from 2-3 p.m., the Federal Trade Commission will present a webinar for people who are blind or visually impaired. In “Talking Through Identity Theft,” we will discuss the causes of identity theft and how to remedy the crime – focusing on financial, medical, government benefits, and child identity theft. What makes this webinar unique, though, is that we will talk through how people who are blind or visually impaired can get access to educational resources on identity theft. We’ll map out the consumer education resources on the FTC’s website, as well as how to file a complaint. We’ll also talk about our audio files, and how to find them online.

Identity theft remains a key concern for not only the FTC, but for the public. Approximately 9 million Americans are victims of identity theft each year. The FTC combats the crime by making consumer complaints available to law enforcement agencies through the Commission’s confidential, online Consumer Sentinel Network. The FTC also produces and distributes consumer education materials such as Taking Charge, a comprehensive identity theft guide. Finally, the FTC does outreach to underserved communities, as well as communities that may face unique challenges – for example, children and foster youth, military families, and older Americans. This webinar for the blind and visually impaired continues this effort.

The webinar is free and open to the public. Below are instructions for calling and logging in. We hope you can join us.

Conference Call Dial-In Number(s):

To get audio for the webinar, please call:
United States: (800) 230-1092
International: (612) 332-0228
Confirmation number: 29777
Webinar:

This webinar uses WebEx. Please log in up to 15 minutes early to make sure you can connect. WebEx does not provide audio, so please use the dial-in numbers above to join the call.

Event link: https://ftc-events.webex.com/ftc-events/onstage/g.php?d=992765028&t=a
Event number: 992 765 028
Event password: No password required

Title: Talking Through Identity Theft: A Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired

We strongly recommend that attendees test their computer prior to joining the presentation. You can test your computer system at any time at http://www.webex.com/test-meeting.html.
If you need help getting connected, please use the Webex Online help at https://www.webex.com/login/join-meeting-tips.
Copies of the slides presented at the webinar will remain accessible at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0015-identity-theft-resources.

federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional

The Supreme Court of the United States issued an opinion today holding that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. This unlocks numerous legal rights and benefits for spouses in same-sex couples including the federal benefits that opposite-sex married couples are entitled to, like Social Security, Medicare, spousal tax rules, Medicaid spousal impoverishment rules, intestate succession laws, and much more.

Since same-sex marriage is not offered in West Virginia our state's lesbian and gay couples will still not be able to avail themselves of these new legal rights unless they marry in a state that recognizes same-sex marriage.

Much of the legal impact of this case is yet to be determined. You can find information sheets about what this historic case means at the National Center for Lesbian Rights website www.nclrights.org/site/PageServer?pagename=DOMA_FAQ_2013

Jim Shepherd dies at age 101

Many of the parks in Monongalia County WV owe their creation to Jim Shepherd, including Mason Dixon Park, Chestnut Ridge Regional Park, and Dorsey's Knob which he helped the City of Morgantown create when he was in his late 90's. Jim died this week at age 101, a wonderful example of older people making valuable contributions to building community by preserving natural places for recreation.

Harper Lee duped out of her copyright to To Kill a Mockingbird

Celebrated novelist Harper Lee has found the courage to fight her own injustice. The author of the Pulitzer Prizewinning novel To Kill a Mockingbird has sued her literary agent for duping her out of her rights to the book, according to this article in The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/04/harper-lee-kill-mockingbird-copyright.

She joins the sad ranks of Mickey Rooney and Brooke Astor, both celebrities who were victims of financial exploitation perpetrated by people they trusted. Harper Lee, who is now 87, says that she has no memory of relinquishing her rights to the novel. She had the same agent for 40 years, but when he became ill in 2002 his son-in-law (the defendant in this lawsuit) took over several of his clients including Lee, according to the lawsuit.

If only Atticus Finch, attorney and hero of the book, were available to keep this guy from escaping justice.

Older Americans Act reauthorization: what's up?

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), has drafted a bill to reauthorize the Older American Act. He is hosting an event in DC to rally support for the reauthorization. Here's the scoop on the event:

OLDER AMERICANS SUMMIT
WHEN: Thursday, May 23rd at 11:00 AM
WHERE: 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building
WHAT: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Older Americans Month, highlight the success of the Older Americans Act programs, and show support for the Act’s reauthorization to meet the needs of our nation’s growing senior population.
Questions? Call Billy Gendell at (202) 224-5480
Press contact Michael Briggs at (202) 224-5141

Now is the Time to Pay Attention to Elder Abuse

“Efforts to address elder abuse are 40 years behind those of child abuse and 20 years behind those of domestic violence” said Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging (ASA) and Administration for Community Living Administrator, in an interview last week on American University radio station WAMU 88.5 FM (Washington, DC). Greenlee added “That if we do not act now and apply the lessons we have learned from combating child abuse and domestic violence and sexual assault to develop a comprehensive approach that brings together all of the different resources to prevent elder abuse, the problem will only deepen. Elder abuse is a problem that is only going to intensify as the population ages and the number of older persons increases.”

Administrator Greenlee and Bob Blancato, National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition, who also participated in the interview, made it clear that elder abuse is a crisis.

You can find this week’s series on WAMU’s web page: http://wamu.org/aging_and_abuse. This page contains the audio and transcript of the broadcast, as well as additional resources: more of the interview with AS Greenlee, including her “Three Questions,” and material from the Year of Elder Abuse campaign.

The rest of the series will be featured on the WAMU page throughout this week, and will include the following stories, and you can click on the links to read and listen:

• Part 1, Monday: Elderly Couple's Tale Of Abuse Not So Uncommon
• Part 2, Tuesday: Adult Protective Services Fight Against Elder Abuse
• Part 3, Wednesday: Tackling Nursing Home Complaints With Ombudsman Programs
• Part 4, Thursday: Financial Exploitation Of Elderly Difficult To Detect
• Part 5, Friday: House Calls A Better Option For Some Elderly

Unleash the Power of Age!

May is Older Americans Month, a time to honor the contribution of elders in our communities. This year's theme is Unleash the Power of Age. For ideas about activities you can do to celebrate in your community check out this page from the federal Administration on Aging www.olderamericansmonth.acl.gov/activityideas.html

Many Seniors Receive QMB/SLMB/QI Terminations in Error

Some low-income seniors in West Virginia have recently gotten erroneous notices that they are no longer eligible for their QMB, SLMB, or QI benefits because their incomes went over the limit when they got their Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in January 2013. If the only change in their income/assets was the COLA then that notice is an error. Federal law prohibits DHHR from considering the amount of the COLA for benefits eligibility until March or April of each year (the second month after the new federal poverty guidelines are issued and the eligibility limits increase accordingly). These clients are not likely to know that the termination is a mistake. They can take steps to correct and get back on the benefits and get refunds for any premiums incorrectly deducted from their benefits, but many may need help to do that.

Dual eligibles are Medicare beneficiaries who also receive some Medicaid benefits because of their limited income and assets. There are three programs for dual-eligibles: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individuals (QI), each providing different packages of Medicaid benefits to the Medicare beneficiary. All three of the programs include the benefit of Medicaid paying the beneficiary's Medicare Part B premium, which for most people is currently $104.90 per month.

The dual eligibles who are most likely to have received the erroneous notice are those whose incomes were close to the eligibility limits. If you work with low-income seniors in any capacity you may be able to help identify people who need assistance to get those benefits back, and help them get successfully referred for that help.

West Virginia Senior Legal Aid (WVSLA) and Legal Aid of West Virginia (LAWV) are working together to try to resolve this problem for anyone who was wrongfully terminated. Senior services programs, homecare providers, healthcare providers, and others who work with seniors can help by checking with their clients who receive QMB/SLMB/QI and asking if they have gotten a letter from DHHR terminating their benefits. If yes, they may be able to get assistance from the Aging and Disability Resource Centers at 1-866-987-2372 or Medicare Counselors with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) program at 1-877-987-4463. WVSLA and LAWV will coordinate with both ADRC and SHIP to help assure affected clients have their rights and benefits protected. There will be at least two important issues that need to be resolved for these clients: 1) getting the QMB/SLMB/QI benefit restored, and 2) getting refunds from Social Security for any premiums deducted from their benefits that should not have been.

Breaking news: bill to avert govt shutdown passes House, heads to Senate

The ice seems to be breaking as Republican leaders and President Obama met last week to try to find compromise in the budget impasse that has led to the sequestration crisis (see our post about what sequestration means here). The House has since passed a 6 month spending bill that would fund federal government beyond the period of the current continuing resolution (which ends March 27) until October when the new federal fiscal year begins. This funding will lessen some of the impact of sequestration but not eliminate it, so all federal agencies will still see substantial cuts unless further compromise is reached in both houses.

What effect will the looming March 1 sequestration have on seniors?

Congress gave itself a deadline to come to agreement about the federal budget. It has pushed the deadline back, several times, actually. If it does not pull out a last-second budget deal seniors deserve to know how sequestration will effect them, and it's not easy to figure out.

First of all, just for the curious, why is it called "sequestration"? This actually goes back to the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Deficit Reduction Act of 1985, in which Congress decided it should put a limit on the total budget outlay rather than just keep making it a function of the total of millions of lines of expenses resulting from multiple individual appropriations processes. Congress develops this limit early in the process by passing a Budget Resolution. Then if all the subsequent appropriations add up to more than that previously-set limit an automatic cutting process takes place across most (but not all) federal spending. They call it "sequestration" because the different between the total appropriated and the Budget Resolution limit is not disbursed but rather is held by the US Treasury, sequestered, while each federal agency reduces its budget equally to account for the shortfall. But there are a few large and notable federal programs that are exempt from the sequestration, so the do not suffer the across-the-board budget reduction.

If it's been the law since 1985 why haven't we had these sequestrations before? Because the intention of the law was to create pressure on lawmakers to resolve their disagreements and pass budgets to avoid the harshness of sequestration. They have successfully done that most of the time until now.

Here are a few of the programs that benefit seniors that are NOT effected by sequestration:
- Social Security
- Veterans pay
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Medicare coverage (there is a small reduction in provider reimbursement but no coverage change)
- Medicaid coverage

What will be cut that is important to seniors? Many senior services offered by county senior programs and WV Senior Legal Aid, including nutrition, transportation, some in-home services,and legal services will be cut perhaps by as much as 7.8% The exact calculation is not totally clear yet. Other services like Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP), Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), the regional Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, senior HUD housing, and many more will be cut. Federal workers will be furloughed (forced to take temporary unpaid leaves) starting in April.

There is a lot at stake. You can find contact information for West Virginia's senators and house of representatives members here www.veterans.wv.gov/resources/Pages/UnitedStatesSenatorsRepresentatives.aspx

Federal Estate Tax made permanent

After years of instability, which gave rise to some macabre humor about heirs calculating the most advantageous expiration dates for wealthy elderly family members, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA) establishes a permanent federal estate tax. Don't worry, most West Virginia estates will still be untaxed because ATRA also establishes a $5 million exemption. A West Virginia estate is only subject to state inheritance tax when a federal tax is imposed on it, so most of us will be unaffected by ATRA.

For those estates worth more than the $5 million exemption amount the federal tax rate will be 40%.

Federal benefit payments go electronic, deadline March 1, 2013

The U.S. Treasury will require that most recipients of Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and other federal payments receive their payments electronically instead of by paper check as of March 1, 2013. Recipients still receiving a paper check may receive their federal benefits via direct deposit to a bank account or through the U.S. Treasury-recommended Direct Express prepaid debit card. Prepaid cards offered on the private market can also be used for direct deposit, with some conditions.

Some limited waiver are available. Recipients who are receiving their benefits by paper checks on March 1, 2013 and are over 92 years old as of that date will be permitted to continue receiving their benefits by check if they request a wavier (see phone number below). Additionally, waivers will be permitted for mental impairment, or if the recipient lives in a remote geographic area which lacks the infrastructure to support the electronic financial transaction.

To request a waiver, recipients should call toll-free (800) 333-1795. However, persistence may be required. If needed, ask for a supervisor to assist you. If advocates experience significant problems, please contact National Consumer Law Center Attorney Margot Saunders for assistance via email at MSaunders@nclc.org.

The National Consumer Law Center has published an issue brief with additional information, including how electronic deposit of benefits can help protect bank accounts from debt collectors, available at: www.nclc.org/images/pdf/older_consumers/consumer_concerns/cc-electronic-payments-feb-2013.pdf.

2013 Federal Poverty Guidelines announced

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) annually issues the Federal Poverty Guidelines used to determine income eligibility for many means-tested benefits and programs. Here are the figures for 2013:

Family Size	Gross Yearly Income	Gross Monthly Income
1	$11,490	$958
2	$15,510	$1,293
3	$19,530	$1,628
4	$23,550	$1,963
5	$27,570	$2,298
6	$31,590	$2,633
7	$35,610	$2,968
8	$39,630	$3,303
add'l	+$4,020	+$335

Federal Register, Vol. 78, January 24, 2013, pp. 5182 -5183

Senator Jay Rockefeller to retire in 2014

“As I approach 50 years of public service in West Virginia, I’ve decided that 2014 will be the right moment for me to find new ways to fight for the causes I believe in and to spend more time with my incredible family,” Rockefeller said the morning of January 11, 2013. He announced that he will not run for Senate at the end of his current term.

Rockefeller, born in 1937, has been elected to 6 terms in the senate, and served alongside Senator Robert Byrd for over 25 years. Before that he served as governor of West Virginia for two terms, was a member of the House of Delegates, and West Virginia Secretary of State. He is the great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller, oil tycoon, industrialist, and patriarch of a mostly Republican dynasty. Senator Rockefeller has remained a Democrat throughout his long career as elected official.

In the Senate Rockefeller has served on several committees including Commerce, Veterans Affairs, Taxation, and the powerful Finance committee.

Rockefeller will be remembered as a champion for healthcare for the needy, and has been a strong supporter of the fight against Alzheimer's disease. He founded the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute in 1999 to help advance medical and scientific understanding of Alzheimer's and other diseases of the brain. It is the world's only non-profit institute dedicated exclusively to the study of both human memory and diseases of memory.

Medicaid telephone scam

Several West Virginia consumers, especially those who north of the Buckhannon area, have received phone calls over the past few days from scam artists attempting to obtain bank account information. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division urges people to use caution when dealing with inbound telephone calls and not to share banking or credit card information with unknown callers. This latest scam begins with the caller telling the consumer that all Medicare beneficiaries are going to need new Medicare cards. To receive the new cards, beneficiaries need to share banking or credit card information to be able to process the fee for the card or the shipping/handling. Consumers are warned not to share any information with these callers – this is a scam. People who receive these calls are urged to hang up, but if they have caller ID, please report the telephone number the call came from along with the time and date of the call to the Attorney General’s Office at 800-368-8808 or to the West Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (1-800-799-4638).

Julie Shelton, Director,
Medicaid Program Operations