Police Warn Elderly about Scam Targeting Diabetes Sufferers
A scam targeting elderly diabetes sufferers has been discovered and is currently under investigation by police in Tazewell, VA. In an incident that occurred on Tuesday the 7th, an elderly woman received a phone call from somebody who claimed to be part of a company that provides glucose testing meters. The man told her his company would provide one for her and asked her for her birth date, Social Security number and Medicare number.
The woman did not provide this information because she felt it was suspicious to be asking for it. Instead, she called police and investigators found that the phone number belonged to a cell phone. The number that the call came from was 502-554-3816. Residents are strongly urged not to provide any personally identifiable information to strangers. Police are asking for anybody with information to contact them at 276-988-5966.
This incident demonstrates yet another horrible scam that is being used against the elderly. Convincing an elderly person that they can receive medical equipment that they may legitimately need, only to steal their personal information or money in the process is terrible. Any time somebody requests personal information from you or your loved ones, be sure not to provide it unless you know for a fact that they are a legitimate business or entity and that they require that information. Never give out any information to unsolicited phone calls claiming to represent a company or other entity.
