No doubt about it - medical costs are rising. So it's no wonder that fraudulent telemarketers have turned to promoting medical discount plans as a new way to bilk unsuspecting consumers. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants consumers to know that promoters of bogus medical discount plans and cards are doing just what they always do: following the headlines to take advantage of consumer vulnerability.

In this case, the FTC says, the fraudulent telemarketers are perpetrating an "unauthorized billing" scam on people who are simply trying to save a buck. The FTC has filed suit against several companies that claim to offer consumers medical discount plans and cards and then bill their accounts for hundreds of dollars whether or not the consumer wants the plan or card.

How the Scam Works
According to the FTC, fraudulent telemarketers are offering consumers a healthcare discount plan that supposedly will generate savings on prescription drugs and dental, vision, hearing, chiropractic, and nursing services. As part of their pitch, they lead consumers to believe that they're affiliated with the consumer's insurance company, financial institution, or state government. The agency says consumers often can get these benefits on their own for free or at minimal cost.

The tip-off to the medical discount rip-off comes when the promoter asks the consumer to "confirm" some personal financial information, like a credit card or checking account number. The FTC says the promoters do this in an effort to convince the consumers that they're simply verifying information they already have. That's not the case. Indeed, says the FTC, once the fraudulent promoters have a consumer's account information, they use it to make money by placing an unauthorized charge or debit on the consumer's account.

Protect Yourself
The FTC advises consumers not to give out personal information - including financial information like credit card or bank account numbers - on the phone or the Internet unless you're familiar with the business that's asking for it. Not only can scam artists use the information to bill your accounts without your permission, but they also can use it to commit identity theft and other types of fraud.
If you think a telemarketer has tricked you into revealing your credit card or bank account numbers, call your bank or credit card issuer immediately to block any unauthorized charges.

February 2003