Looking Out for Fraud

Health Care Related

Health care related fraud siphons off billions of dollars that could provide much needed services. Fraud can occur in both community and facility health care settings.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Information

Office of the Illinois Attorney General

• Investigates health care insurance complaints.



• Health Care Hotline: 1-877-305-5145, 1-800-964-3013 (TTY).

Illinois Department of Public Health

• Hearing Aid Consumer Protection Program offers protection from fraudulent dispensary practices.



• Consumer complaints and inquiries: 1-800-545-2200, 1-800-547-0466 (TTY).

Protecting Your Money

Elders are the principle target of con artists, sweepstake fraud schemes, and home repair fraud operators. By some estimates, older persons account for 90% of all fraud victims. Seniors are thought to lose tens of billions of dollars to fraud every year.

Crime and Consumer Fraud

• Illinois Department on Aging
  • Provides free brochures on how to prevent fraud and avoid being the victim of con games. Contact the Senior HelpLine.
  
  
• Office of the Illinois Attorney General
  • Investigates consumer fraud and crime against the elderly.
  
  
  
  • Provides information on types of fraud and how to prevent them.
  
  
  
  • Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Hotline: 1-800-243-5377; 1-800-964-3013 (TTY).


• National Fraud Information Center
  • Fights telemarketing fraud by improving prevention and enforcement.
  
  
  
  • Hotline:1-800-876-7060 (toll–free nationwide)


• U.S. Postal Service
  • Provides information on types of fraud and how to prevent them.
  
  
  
  • Postal Crime Hotline: 1-800-654-8896.

Contact

For more information on preventing fraud, contact the Senior HelpLine.

See also publications and Web sites related to this program:

• Publications
• Related Web Sites