Scam Alert: “Eldercare” Callers Impersonating Administration for Community Living

Both the Administration for Community Living and the Michigan Attorney General are warning seniors and people with disabilities about scam calls coming from people claiming to be from the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Eldercare Locator or the Disability Information & Access Line (DIAL).

• These callers are using the term “Eldercare” or “Eldercare Locator.”
• In some cases, they are also claiming to be from Social Security or Medicare.

• Callers are asking for personal information such as someone’s Social Security number, banking information, or Medicare number — or demanding payment, threatening jail time, or fines.

• Callers are harassing. They are using tactics such as calling repeatedly from the same number.

AgeWays has received several reports of these types of phone calls in our six-county region. These calls are NOT coming from our agency, and they are not coming from any other government agency. These calls are scam/imposter calls from bad actors.

Here Are Some Tips to Keep You or Your Loved One Safe:

Remember:

• No one from the government will call you out of the blue asking for your social security number.
• No one from a government agency will ever ask you for a payment by gift card, bit coin, or wire transfer.
• No one can “suspend” your Social Security number. Don’t believe these threats.

Keep These Three Things in Mind:

• Don’t Pick Up: Don’t answer calls from unfamiliar numbers. If it’s important, they will leave a message.
• Don’t Share: Don’t give sensitive info over the phone (bank numbers, Social Security or Medicare number) unless YOU initiated the call.
• Slow Down: Be wary of urgent requests or requests with unusual forms of payment (wire transfers or gift cards). This is a big red flag!

What Can You Do if You Have Been a Victim of This Scam:

Contact the Michigan Attorney General
You can file a consumer complaint or get additional information by contacting the Michigan Department of Attorney General:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

Contact the Department of Justice
National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

Other Resources:

• Attorney General: Attorney General Nessel Brings Attention to Imposter Scam Targeting the Elderly, Disabled (michigan.gov)
• Fraud Alert: Scam Calls Targeting Older Adults | ACL Administration for Community Living