Medicare Scam Prevention to be Taught by Insurance Expert, Police

St. Louis County residents can attend a free, informational session on Friday at 2 p.m. in Ballwin to learn about Medicare/Medicade/Medigap sales scams prior to the Medicare enrollment period—which is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

West County Precinct officers of the St. Louis County Police Department, along with Meramec Bluffs Lutheran Senior Living Center managers, will co-host this presentation at the Meramec Bluffs Lutheran Senior Living Center located at 1 Meramec Bluffs Drive, Ballwin, MO 63021.

Con artists and scammers constantly invent new ways to take advantage of elderly people. "The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is the perfect opportunity to dupe seniors," said St. Louis County officer Dusty Poncin. "Identity thieves are targeting Medicare recipients for their personal and financial information, and then running up huge bills in their names before anyone is the wiser."

He said Arthur James Chapman, president of Chapman Insurance Group, brought the recent problem to the attention of county police after he learned of 25 seniors recently being scammed. Chapman will be the guest speaker Friday. He has 30-plus years of police experience as well. 

This is not a sales presentation, and is strictly for the purpose of learning how not to get scammed by con artists, said Poncin.

"We'd like to reach as many seniors and their family members as well, if they are involved in the financial decisions of their parents or grandparents. This session is preventive, and will warn of the cautions to take," said Poncin.