Paxton, IL – Lana Sample, Senior Information Specialist for the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department, is warning seniors in the area regarding calls they may receive from individuals that imply they are from Medicare. According to Sample, a resident in Paxton received a call last week asking the person if they could schedule a home visit with them to talk about changes in Medicare. The caller did not say they were from Medicare but implied so in the conversation. The next day, the resident was notified again, asking to reschedule the visit as the person did not show up for the home visit. According to Sample, Medicare is NOT sending employees out to homes of beneficiaries. Later that same day, a call from a male posing as a grandson needing bail money was also made to a Paxton resident. Seniors in other parts of the state have been called with the caller using the same “grandson needing bail money” scam.
Sample is reminding everyone, especially seniors, not to give out any personal information over the phone. “Legitimate callers will not ask you for information such as your social security number, etc.,” said Sample. “It is sad that we have to be so cautious these days, but unfortunately seniors are a very vulnerable population and scammers are looking for an easy target.”
Ford County Seniors having concerns regarding questionable phone calls, letters, emails, etc. may contact Mrs. Sample at the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department at 217-379-9281.
Contact: Julie Clark, PIO
618-288-1123
Cell: 815-383-6236
jclark@fiphd.org