Author Archives: virginiasmp

Alan Swiss has been charged with health care fraud and conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. According to statements made in court and publicly filed documents, Swiss operated Tropical Medical Marketing Inc., a call center that cold-called Medicare beneficiaries and used their personal and medical information without the beneficiaries’ knowledge or consent to prepare ordersContinue reading “Man Arrested for Role in Fraudulent Billing for DME”

February is Black History Month — a great time to help raise awareness in Black communities, and among your family and friends, by staying on top of the latest scams that might affect them. We know that talking about a scam helps you avoid it — and it helps people you care about avoid them,Continue reading “Be scam free for Black History Month”

This Valentine’s Day is shaping up to be big, according to projections by the National Retail Federation, which suggests that consumer spending will reach nearly $26 billion.  As you prepare to celebrate, there are a few common scams that you need to be aware of. Whether hoping to spark a new relationship or buying gifts forContinue reading “Top Valentine’s Day scams”

Country superstar Blake Shelton is tall, tousle-haired and so ruggedly handsome that People magazine once proclaimed him the “Sexiest Man Alive.” When J.R., a woman in her 60s in Alabama, heard she could enter a $1 million contest to be chosen the Grammy-winning singer’s fan of the year a few years ago, she decided to enter. ToContinue reading “Scammers and Celebrity Impostors Defraud Fans of Millions”

Elan Yaish, a former president of pharmacy Apogee Bio-Pharm LLC, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $32 million in restitution for his role in a $32 million health care kickback conspiracy. According to documents filed and statements made in court, Yaish and others agreed to engage in a scheme toContinue reading “Former Pharmacy President Sentenced to Three Years”

Playing cupid? A quick online shopping scroll shows tons of exciting Valentine’s gifts for those you love. If you order now, many sellers guarantee delivery on or before Valentine’s Day. But what happens when your order doesn’t arrive by that guaranteed date? As a customer, you have rights. Here’s what to know.  (Read More)

Scammers follow the headlines — and the seasons. As the new year rolls around, we’re sure to hear lots of “new year, new you” advertising around health and fitness products. But some of those promotions are just scams out to get your money. Here’s how to spot them. (Read More)

As your social media and mailboxes fill up with New Year’s greetings, you might see some unfamiliar names. Are the messages from long-lost friends or romance scammers trying to get close? Here are some things to watch for. (Read More)

You’ve surely received one (if not dozens) of these texts, noting that your U.S. Postal Service, UPS or FedEx delivery has been kept on hold because of an issue with your address, insufficient postage, or nobody was home to receive it. Just visit [a link will usually be included here] to provide more information, payContinue reading “Package Delivery Problem? Maybe Not. Americans Are Swamped With Scam Texts”

The Better Business Bureau® is warning consumers about Health Central USA, a company that sells various health products online. BBB serving Dallas, Lubbock and Wichita Falls investigated Health Central USA in early 2022 after the peak of the baby formula shortage. This company caught the attention of BBB when it was advertising baby formula at a discounted price withoutContinue reading “Beware of purchasing products from Health Central USA”