SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SENIORS ARE BEING TARGETED BY A TELEPHONE SCAM. THE AUTOMATED, OR ROBO-CALLS, OFFER A FREE LIFE ALERT MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM. THE VOICE SAYS THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN PAID FOR AND ONLY AUTHORIZATION IS NEEDED FOR SHIPPING. AFTER BEING ASKED TO PUSH NUMBER 1 TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION, THE SENIORS GET A LIVE PERSON WHO THEN ASKS FOR THEIR MEDICARE NUMBER AND A DEBIT CARD NUMBER FOR THE MONTHLY 35 DOLLAR MONITORING FEE. MANY SENIORS WERE UNAWARE OF THE CHARGE, NEVER RECEIVED THE SYSTEM, OR FOUND OUT THE COMPANY IS NOT CONNECTED WITH LIFE ALERT. THE SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SUGGESTS SENIORS DO NOT ACCEPT CALLS FROM TELEMARKETERS, NEVER PROVIDE BANK ACCOUNT OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS OVER THE PHONE, AND CONTACT THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE AT 831-454-2050 WITH QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS.
