l****z
发帖数: 29846 | 1 by Jammie
When one scam becomes an endless series of scams. This may seem nutty, but
this stuff could have been avoided if people actually read the bill.
Confusion over the October launch of a major part of ObamaCare is
turning the health care overhaul into a feeding frenzy for scammers scheming
for ways to swindle unsuspecting Americans.
Consumer watchdog and advocacy groups like Fraud.org, the Federal Trade
Commission’s division of marketing practices and the AARP are just the
latest to issue warnings to their members about spikes in scams tied to the
October roll-out.
The Affordable Care Act, commonly called ObamaCare, was passed in 2010,
but many of its major provisions have not yet taken effect. On Oct. 1, new
health plans will be offered through a government-run marketplace or health
care “exchange.” There are still many details left to be ironed out, which
scammers are banking on.
The goal for fraudsters is to steal medical identities – which includes
a person’s address, Social Security number, Medicare number and medical
history.
Having access to this information allows thieves to obtain medical care,
buy prescription drugs, fake intake forms, order supplies and submit
fraudulent insurance claims to the government, Sam Imandoust, a legal
analyst at the Identity Theft Resource Center, told FoxNews.com.
Social Security numbers go for about $1 on the black market, but medical
records are much more lucrative for con artists and fetch up to $50 a pop.
Imandoust said those typically targeted include “the elderly and those
on a lower socioeconomic scale or going through tough times.”
The victims of medical identity theft are likely to have their credit
crushed, and be out a lot of money and time trying to reverse the damage.
But don’t forget Republicans want to take away your healthcare or something
. Oh, and those “navigators” being hired to help implement this trainwreck
? No background checks for them. Really provides reassurance, huh? |
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