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• Making false statements on insurance applications
• Submitting false claims for property loss or damage

While seniors can be the offender by making false statements on insurance applications or submitting false claims, all too often seniors are used by others as unwitting vehicles for submitting false insurance claims.

For example, some health care providers offer "free" examinations but then ask for the senior's medical insurance number and use it to bill for the services. If the service is indeed free, there should be no need to supply medical insurance information. Seniors can catch on to this kind of scam by getting into the habit of checking their monthly statement of benefits.

Checklist of what to look for on your monthly benefit statement:

• Did you receive the medical services or supplies indicated in your Medicare statement, and/or supplemental (secondary) insurance?
• Did your physician order the service or procedure?
• Were you charged more than once for the same service?
• Did a medical service or screening that was advertised as "free" appear on the statement?

• Your health care provider for an explanation or clarification of unusual or questionable charges
• Medicare insurance company listed on your monthly benefits statement
• Medicare hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (447-8477)
• NJDOBI's Consumer Inquiry and Response Center (CIRC) at 609-292-7272

• Other vehicle is an older model
• Multiple occupants in the other vehicle
• Occupants of other vehicle claim to have soft tissue injuries (aches, pains) but no signs of blood or broken bones
• Occupants of other vehicle decline on-site medical treatment, but say they will see their own doctor
• Collision occurred after you were "waved ahead"

• Always request to have a law enforcement officer at the accident scene, even if it appears minor. If not possible, go to the nearest law enforcement agency and make a verbal report.
• Get a copy of the accident report for your own records.
• Report the accident to your insurance agent or company as soon as possible.

• Promissory notes are usually not sold to the general public - ask questions
• Is the investment registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission?
• Is the rate of return offered higher than current fixed-rate investments?
• If it sounds "too good to be true", it probably is.

• The fee charged for the short-term loans converts to a very high interest rate.
• Ask yourself, do you really need to borrow at double or triple digit interest rates?
• Look for more conventional, and regulated, sources of loans at fair rates.

• Before selling your policy, find out if you have cash value that you can borrow from the policy.
• Find out if you have an accelerated death benefits provision that could pay you now.
• Check with your tax consultant and financial planner for possible financial implications.
• Check on the impact the viatical income will have on food stamp and Medicare eligibility.
• More information on Viatical/Life Settlements

• Ask yourself, "Do I really need to refinance my home?"
• Compare the interest rate being offered to rates offered by other financial institutions.
• Don't be rushed to refinance if that is not what you really want to do.
• Have YOUR legal representative at the closing.
• READ WHAT YOU SIGN!
• Get COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS!