If you own a business or know someone who does, you know how important a trademark is for protecting your intellectual property. Scammers do, too, and they’re impersonating the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to steal your money. Here’s how the scam works. (Read More)
Author Archives: virginiasmp
DOJ: California insurer kept $320M in surplus Medicaid funds
The Department of Justice is suing a California health insurer for allegedly diverting $320 million in leftover federal Medicaid funds to other inappropriate expenses. The lawsuit alleges Inland Empire Health Plan defrauded the federal government out of $320 million in surplus Medicaid funds the plan was supposed to return. Instead, the plan spent the money on unrelatedContinue reading “DOJ: California insurer kept $320M in surplus Medicaid funds”
Watch Out for Medicare Scams
When people give personal financial information and Medicare details to callers, scammers can commit identity fraud and make bogus claims to Medicare. Some common Medicare scams include new card offers, medical equipment and tests, and hospice enrollment. Recognize scams and know how to protect yourself in this AARP story, which includes lots of information from SMPs.
No, that’s not an FTC commissioner on the phone
Scammers like to pretend to be someone official to try to get your money. And who could be more official than the FTC chairman and commissioners, some of the nation’s leading fraud fighters? But here’s something important to know: nobody who works at the FTC will ever, EVER tell you to move your money toContinue reading “No, that’s not an FTC commissioner on the phone”
Couple Sentenced for Fraud, Money Laundering
Magaly Travieso, an advanced practitioner registered nurse (APRN) and owner of ProMed Healthcare LLC, was sentenced to nine years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and her former spouse, Yudorki Ramirez, was sentenced to three years in prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Travieso and her co-conspirators paid patients illegal kickbacksContinue reading “Couple Sentenced for Fraud, Money Laundering”
Get a credit freeze to stop identity thieves
Did someone steal your identity? Or are you looking for ways to help protect yourself from identity theft? A great place to start is freezing your credit. Here’s what to know. (Read More)
Professionals Charged in COVID-19 Test Billing Fraud
Fast Lab Technologies LLC CEO Cemhan “Jimmy” Biricik and medical director Dr. Martin Perlin were charged for their involvement in a $500 million, nationwide scheme that involved billing Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and other health insurance programs for COVID-19 testing services that were never rendered. According to the indictment, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fast Lab operatedContinue reading “Professionals Charged in COVID-19 Test Billing Fraud”
How to prepare yourself to deal with an emergency and avoid disaster-related scams
When disaster strikes, everyone in the community is impacted — including older adults. That’s why having a plan and knowing how to spot disaster-related scams can make a difference to anyone recovering. If you’re not sure where to begin, there are free tools to help you get started on a plan that includes fraud prevention. (ReadContinue reading “How to prepare yourself to deal with an emergency and avoid disaster-related scams”
Got a New Online Friend? Be Wary
Romance scams have been a reliable source of income for digital criminals for years. But a new, more subtle variation of that fraud is seeing an uptick. Instead of seducing vulnerable people online with promises of romance, some scammers are creating a (false) bond with victims by convincing them they share a common interest, according toContinue reading “Got a New Online Friend? Be Wary”
Update: Pair Sentenced in Hospice Scheme
In an update to a December 19, 2024, story, Nita Almuete Paddit Palma was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison and ordered to pay almost $8.3 million in restitution. Percy Dean Abrams was sentenced to three years of probation. Read a Department of Justice press release. Nita Palma and Percy Abrams have been found guiltyContinue reading “Update: Pair Sentenced in Hospice Scheme”
The Virginia SMP 