A New Twist on an Old Phone Scam
Tuesday, August 20th, 2019 -- 7:45 AM
(WRN) -It's a new twist on an old phone scam.An age old scam has a novel new twist. It's a version of a robocall phone scam. State consumer protection administrator Michelle Reinen says the scammers claim that just by handing over your social security information, you will be getting a free DNA testing kit.
"The caller might say the test is a free way to get early diagnoses for diseases like cancer or just that it's a free test and people are often interested in their D N A."
Reinen says all the scammers want is your social security information, because it's covered by Medicare. That's a lie.
"It's really important to know that Medicare does not market DNA testing kits to the general public."
Reinen says scammers, posing as Medicare or Medicaid are promising people free DNA testing kits, and all you have to do is hand over your information to get one. That's a lie.
"Medicare doesn't do random unsolicited phone calls to consumers asking for their personally identifiable information."
Reinen says the scammers are spoofing their phone numbers to look like they're calling from Washington DC.
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