Scam artists are targeting senior-living communities and low-income neighborhoods in what appears to be an elaborate ruse to commit identity theft and defraud Medicare, according to Bloomberg.
Authorities in Kentucky and Nebraska warned residents about the scam, in which groups visit vulnerable communities and offer payment in return for individuals' DNA swabs and health insurance information. Officials told Bloomberg that some of these operations falsely claim to be associated with actual Medicaid insurers.
Though it is not yet clear how the scammers are using the information, officials worry it could be used to steal identities. The scammers may also attempt to defraud government health programs by billing Medicare for unnecessary medical services based on the DNA swabbing, since CMS announced in 2018 that Medicare covers certain genetic testing.
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