Genetic Testing Scams Targeting Seniors

U.S. seniors are being targeted by fraudsters allegedly offering free genetic DNA tests, reports WBRC . The scammers claim the test involves a cheek swab, after which they ask the target for their Medicare information. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warned the fraud occurs when Medicare is billed for a test or screening that was medically unnecessary and not ordered by a physician. "We have multiple states that have issued warnings about this," said Angela Guth with the Better Business Bureau. "We are seeing it more and more." Federal prosecutors in Louisiana recently charged a company and its owner of defrauding the government out of more than $127 million, claiming the business billed beneficiaries' Medicare accounts for unneeded tests, while the labs took a share and returned it to the marketers and tele-doctors who approved the test. The case is a part of a nationwide crackdown that led to more than 30 similar indictments and cost Medicare over $2 billion in unnecessary charges. Guth said seniors can avoid becoming victims to such scams by not giving out their personal information.