Month: August 2015

Social security scams are common, as they prove lucrative for scam artists. Not only can such individuals trick seniors into sending money for alleged services, but they can acquire personal information that can lead to identity theft . Here are a few scams that have fooled many.

Direct Mail Scams

Some seniors have reported receiving letters on letterhead allegedly from the social security office informing them they have an extra check awaiting them. The letter then asks seniors to provide personal information and a “filing fee.” The thieves often ask for the recipient’s bank account information and social security number. Note that while the Social Security Administration often sends legitimate mail, they will not ask you for information that they already have, such as your social security number. They also do not require fees. Any suspicious letters should be followed up on with the local social security office before taking any action.

Phone Scams

If someone is asking for your social security number or personal details on the phone, chances are it’s not safe. A good rule is to never provide personal information over the phone. If for some reason it appears necessary, seniors can always call the Social Security Administration and ask for details about the request.

Internet Scams

A common form of social security scam is when thieves send an email stating that seniors social security information needs to be updated. The person is told to click on a link, which takes him to a webpage that has been carefully constructed to resemble the authentic government website. There, the senior is directed to enter personal information such as his social security number and bank account information.

A good rule of thumb is to always verify any requests for personal information that do not originate from a phone call initiated by the senior. Since such information is almost always the goal of these scams, seniors should always be suspicious when anyone asks for it.

It’s better to be safe than sorry, and social security officials are likely to be understanding when seniors ask for verification of requests for such information.

Traveling to another country and experiencing a health problem is no fun. Unfortunately, the likelihood of getting injured or coming down with a bug often increases when one travels, due to the fact you are engaging in new activities and being exposed to unfamiliar bacteria. Without the right travel insurance, it can turn into an absolute nightmare. While some countries provide quality inexpensive health care or have reciprocal agreements with the United States, this is not typical.

At the very least, your travel insurance should provide for emergency medical treatment. This should include room and board at the hospital and ambulance services in addition to fees for the emergency treatment self.

Ask your insurance agent about adding extra benefits to your travel insurance. Some insurers, for example, offer the coverage so that family members can afford to fly to be at your side in the event of an accident.

Emergency medical evacuations can cost over $100,000, depending on which country you’re being evacuated from. If you will be traveling to a country  that doesn’t have the standard of medical care you feel comfortable, adding this coverage to your travel insurance is an absolute must.

If you intend to travel to a political hot spot, make sure your insurance includes injuries resulting from an act of terrorism. Not all insurance covers medical problems or property damage resulting from such events, so it is worth it to double check.

When purchasing travel insurance, don’t forget about coverage other than medical. Consider purchasing insurance that provides for trip cancellation as well as loss of baggage and other personal effects.

Finally, make sure your travel insurance covers preexisting medical conditions, as the last thing you need to happen is to get to Casablanca and discover that your insurance doesn’t cover blood sugar issues that have arisen from the combination of your diabetes and the consumption of too much couscous.

Don’t be shy about asking your agent about all of these factors before making a decision.  They will be happy to help you find the policy that is right for you and your travel needs.