Senior Citizen Alerts - Missing, Fraud, Scams, Warnings

Senior Citizen Alerts

Effort Grows to Protect Seniors by Removing Social Security Number from Medicare Card

Social Security frustrated with refusal to change by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

June 27, 2008 - Social Security says don’t carry your card on you, someone could get the number and use it to steal your identity. Medicare tells senior citizen to always carry their Medicare card, even though it has their Social Security number prominently displayed. Social Security has been trying to get Medicare to come up with a new card and identification system and, finally, they are getting some help in this effort to protect older Americans from identification theft. Read more...

FDA Tells 23 U.S. Firms to Stop Selling Fake Cancer Cures

Internet has provided a mechanism for bogus cancer 'cures' to flourish

June 18, 2008 - Warning Letters were sent yesterday to 23 U.S. companies and two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products fraudulently claiming to prevent and cure cancer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA also warns North American consumers against using or purchasing the products, which include tablets, teas, tonics, black salves, and creams, and are sold under various names on the Internet. Read more...

Older Americans Must be Ready to Stay Connected as Nation Goes to Digital TV

Senior citizens must vulnerable live alone, in remote areas, low income, non-English speakers

By Josefina G. Carbonell, Administration on Aging

May 12, 2008 - Television as we know it is about to change. On February 17, 2009, full-power television broadcasting will change from analog to 100% digital, bringing with it a host of benefits. If you use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna with an analog television, your television will not work after this transition date without taking some action. Read more...

Senior Citizens Can Expect to be Targets of Tax Rebate Scammers

Fake emails, phone calls supposedly from IRS will want your personal financial info.

April 18, 2008 - The Internet thieves are having a field day with the economic stimulus refunds that will soon be sent to taxpayers in an effort to bolster the sagging economy. But, they have also started their usual barrage of fake IRS refund emails, like the one pictured on this page. Senior citizens, in particular, are targets of a number of scams using the stimulus payments and IRS refunds as ways to steal personal financial information. The email pictured on this page was recently received be the editor of SeniorJournal.com. Read more...

Shady Sales Tactics Pushing Indexed Annuities on Seniors Exposed by Dateline

'When those agents go into the seniors' homes, it is literally the wolf among the lambs'

April 15, 2008 - With an estimated 15 trillion dollars under their control American senior citizens have become more of a sales target than ever for insurance agents seeking to sell them annuities. Last Sunday, April 13, NBC's Dateline went undercover in "Tricks of the Trade" - a hidden camera investigation revealing what some insurance agents say, and what they don't say, when they think they are alone with a senior. In his signature style, Chris Hansen then confronts agents about their questionable sales pitches. Read more...

Senior Citizen Health & Medicine

New CPR Recommendation Takes Little Training – Just Push Hard and Fast

Mouth-to-mouth no longer recommended for bystanders trying to save lives

March 31, 2008 - Chest compressions alone, or Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), can save lives and can be used to help an adult who suddenly collapses, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement posted on the Web site today. Read more...

Older Men Should Not Use Blue Steel or Hero for Erectile Dysfunction

FDA says products are illegal drugs and pose serious health risks

March 27, 2008 – Older men, the Americans most likely to be interested in products marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and sexual enhancement, are being warned by the Food and Drug Administration not to purchase or use "Blue Steel" or "Hero" products marketed as dietary supplements. The FDA says they are considered unapproved drugs and have not been proven to be safe or effective. Read more....

Free Eye Exams Available to Senior Citizens in March to Fight AMD

National campaign to raise awareness about Age-related Macular Degeneration

March 3, 2008 – Promoting free eye exams for senior citizens during March, the Macular Degeneration Partnership is asking, "Do You See What I See?" For seniors who suffer with an eye disease known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) the answer is always, "No." Read more...

IRS Helps Low-Income Senior Citizens Qualify for Economic Stimulus Payments

A special version of a Form 1040A highlights the simple, specific sections to be filled out by low-income seniors, veterans

Feb. 19, 2008 – For many Americans the few hundreds bucks they get as an economic stimulus payment from the government in May is nothing to get excited about. But for millions of lower-income senior citizens and veterans it is a substantial windfall. The problem is that it is not going to “just happen” for many of these seniors. They must file a tax return for 2007 are they will not be included. Read more...

Senior Citizens Most Likely to be Targeted by Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Senate Special Committee on Aging hears testimony on sub-prime crisis

Feb. 13, 2008 – It should be no surprise that senior citizens are the target of the latest financial scam – foreclosure rescue scams. At a hearing yesterday of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Chairman Herb Kohl said seniors are three times more likely to have sub-prime mortgage loans than younger borrowers and these loans have driven the large increase in foreclosures. Read more...

Senior Citizens Are Primary Target of U.S. Information Blitz About Digital TV

TV broadcasters alert Americans all broadcast to be digital in 2009

Feb. 12, 2008 – An extraordinary effort kicked off yesterday to alert all Americans – but senior citizens in particular – that this country will transition all television broadcasting to digital on February 17, 2009. Those who rely on a broadcast signal will no longer be able to receive programming with a digital television set. Read more...

FDA Notifies Public of Adverse Reactions, Deaths Linked to Botox Use

Ongoing safety review of Botox, Botox Cosmetic and Myobloc taking place

Feb. 8, 2008 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today said that Botox and Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum toxin Type A) and Myobloc (Botulinum toxin Type B) have been linked in some cases to adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death, following treatment of a variety of conditions using a wide range of doses. Read more...

Senior Citizens Should Be On Alert for Email Scam Offering IRS Refund

Scammers may try to take advantage of economic stimulus program

Jan. 29, 2008 – Senior citizens should be on the alert for an email scam back on the Internet that claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service and promises a tax refund check, if you will just submit the tax refund request. Some may confuse this to be a part of the government’s economic stimulus program, which may be why it has emerged again. Part of the economic plan's discussion includes checks to senior citizens on Social Security. Read more...

FDA Launches Free E-mail Alert Service Providing Updated Information

Alerts and warnings from FDA can drop right into your email box

Dec. 5, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration has announced a new e-mail service that alerts subscribers whenever information is updated on certain FDA Web pages. An example is the MedWatch Saftery Alerts featuring medical product safety alerts, Class I recalls, market withdrawals, and public health advisories. Read more...

Medicare Drug Program News

Senior Citizens Not Reviewing Medicare Drug Plans May Get Shock in 2008

Medicare has cut 1,500 drugs from last year’s list eligible for formularies

"Changes are occurring at all levels of the Medicare drug benefit – from significant movements in monthly premiums, to the composition and copayment structure of formularies."

Dec. 5, 2007 – The evidence continues to be exposed showing senior citizens are facing major changes in the Medicare drug plans for 2008, including news that the largest stand-alone plans will reduce the drugs they cover by the hundreds. A major reason, says consulting company Avalere Health, is that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services decided to drop more than 1,500 drug codes from last year’s list of formulary-approvable drugs, including some that lack FDA approval. Read more...

Medicare Drug Program News

Senior Citizens Seeking New Medicare Drug Plan Finding Fewer Drugs Covered

Size of the formulary is becoming more aligned with utilization patterns, consumer preferences, health outcomes and value for consumers, says Humana

Dec. 4, 2007 – While shopping around for a new Medicare drug plan, many senior citizens may be getting a shock to find many drugs no longer covered. A new analysis finds a gigantic drop in the number of drugs covered in 2008. What is called the “Open Enrollment” period, a time when seniors can change drug plans, opened on Nov. 15 and closes on Dec. 31. Seniors are advised to also check their existing plan to see if drugs they need have been dropped. Read more...

Senior Citizen Health & Medicine

Senior Citizens Must Join Campaign to Require Hospitals Report Staph Infections

Consumers Union urges Congress to enact HR 1174 (Murphy) to spur hospitals to reduce deadly infections

By Tucker Sutherland, Editor & Publisher

“Every day, fifty Americans die from MRSA because hospitals aren’t doing enough to protect patients from these deadly infections,” - Lisa McGiffert, Director of Consumers Union’s Stop Hospital Infections campaign

Nov. 8, 2007 – The news that nearly 19,000 Americans died in 2005 from antibiotic-resistant staph infections – mostly acquired in health care facilities – and that it has increased 10 fold since 1995, should be shocking and extremely alarming to senior citizens, the most frequent visitors to healthcare settings. What is even more shocking is that most states allow hospitals to keep information about these infections secret, which has allowed the infection to spread rapidly with little public notice or protection. Seniors need to demand changes. Read more...

FDA Asks Recall of True Man, Energy Max 'Alternatives' for Erectile Dysfunction

Those with either product should stop using it immediately

Nov. 5, 2007 – Products that are often billed as ``all natural'' alternatives to approved erectile dysfunction drugs, could interact with medications and cause dangerously low blood pressure, says the Food and Drug Administration. The agency has requested a recall of True Man Sexual Energy Nutrient Capsules and Energy Max Energy Supplement Men's Formula Capsules, illegal drug products that contain potentially harmful, undeclared ingredients. Read more...

FTC Will Not Drop Numbers from Do Not Call Registry Until Congress Decides if Renewals Necessary

Original plan called for a five-year re-registration to clean list, which now has over 145 million phone numbers

Oct. 23, 2007 – If your telephone number is about to reach the limit of the five years that it can be on the National Do Not Call Registry (DNC), don’t worry about it. Federal Trade Commission Director Lydia Parnes, director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said today that no numbers will be dropped from the list until Congress decides if they want to make registration permanent, rather than require renewal every five years. Read more...

FDA Has More Dietary Supplements Seized in Florida: Charantea Targeted

Products said to violate new drug and misbranding provisions of Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act

Oct. 13, 2007 - At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Marshals seized on Tuesday approximately $71,000 of goods from FulLife Natural Options, Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla., which marketed and distributed Charantea Ampalaya Capsules and Charantea Ampalaya Tea. This follows a seizure in August of capsules by Charron Nutrition of Tallahassee, Fla., promoted for use in treating diabetes, arthritis, and other serious health conditions. Read more...

FTC Wants All to Know the Truth About Cell Phones and Do Not Call Registry

You do not need to register cell phone in do not call registry

Oct. 12, 2007 - The Federal Trade Commission today reiterated that despite the claims made in e-mails circulating on the Internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers in the near future, and that it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones. Read more...

Senior Citizen and Internet

iGuard Drug Safety Alert is Newest Reason Senior Citizens, Caregivers Must Use Web

Provides patients & physicians with immediate, personalized, free drug safety information

Oct. 9, 2007 – Almost weekly there is a new and compelling reason why senior citizens or their caregivers should be active on the Internet. One significant new tool to launch on the Web, which promises potentially life-saving help to seniors, is iGuard. This is a free service to access current information about the risk profile of their medications and receive personal drug safety alerts. Read more...

Recall of Topps Ground Beef Due to E Coli Now Includes 21.7 Million Pounds

Currently 25 people are presumed ill from contamination

Oct. 1, 2007 – A voluntary recall of ground beef was expanded on Saturday to include 21.7 million pounds of products from the Topps Meat Company that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The original recall by Topps on Sept. 25 is being expanded due to additional positive product sample reported by the New York Health Department, reported illnesses and findings from a food safety assessment conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service at the establishment. (See complete recall list below.) Read more...

Fentora Cancer Pain Drug Draws FDA Warning of Potential Serious Side Effects

Concern due to reports of deaths, other adverse events from fentanyl buccal

Sept. 26, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and consumers to concerns over the use of Fentora (fentanyl buccal) tablets after recent reports of deaths and other adverse events. Read more...

Senior Citizens May See National Do Not Call List Drop Their Number Next Year

Seniors need to be aware registrations are just for five years

Sept. 22, 2007 – Most senior citizens – well, probably most Americans – are not aware that to stay on the National Do Not Call list you have to re-register every five years. Those who jumped onboard in the first months of the Federal Trade Commission program will see their name drop off next year – unless they sign-up again, or a new bill passes to make registration permanent. Read more...

Senior Citizens Scammed by Fake Pain Relief Tape May Get Money Back

FTC gets settlement of $2.5 million in consumer refunds

Sept. 20, 2007 – Senior citizens who fell for the Biotape scam, an adhesive tape sold as a pain relief product, may be getting their money back. The Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with the promoters that will provide up to $2.5 million in consumer refunds. Read more...

What Senior Citizens Need to Know About Transition to Digital TV to be Presented Next Week

Two government agencies will present programs about this major change in U.S.

Sept. 20, 2007 – A hearing yesterday by the Senate aging committee focused on the lack of information available to senior citizens pertaining to the mandatory transition from analog television broadcast to digital. A highlight of the hearing was the apparent confusion among federal agencies about who is responsible for educating the public. A good example is that there will be two major public meetings in Washington next week to explore all aspects of this major change in American life, but they are sponsored by different agencies. Read more...

Money, Insurance & Investments for Seniors

Dubious Credentials May Scam Seniors Out of Retirement Savings: Aging Committee

Senate aging committee looking at senior financial advisor titles

Aug. 31, 2007 – There seems to be reasonable doubt that some of the titles being used by people to show they are qualified to help senior citizens with their financial decisions are of little value. The chairman of the Senate’s aging committee will conduct a hearing on Wednesday, September 5, to examine some of the “questionable practices used by so-called financial investment specialists.” Read more...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Spammers Hit for Peddling HGH as Anti-Aging, Hoodia for Weight Loss

FTC says e-mails falsely claim HGH products reverse aging process

Aug. 24, 2007 – Once again the Federal Trade Commission is clamping down on a company selling human growth hormone (HGH) as an anti-aging product. This time, they are also halting the same spammers from sending "unwanted and illegal" e-mails about hoodia weight-loss products. A district court judge ordered a halt to the e-mails and to the claims that the FTC says are false and unsubstantiated. Read more...

Seniors Warned to Avoid Red Yeast Rice Sold Online to Treat High Cholesterol

FDA says tested products contain unauthorized drug, lovastatin

Aug. 10, 2007 – The millions of senior citizens battling against high cholesterol are warned by the Food and Drug Administration to stay away from three red yeast rice products promoted and sold on Websites as dietary supplements for treating high cholesterol. The products may contain an unauthorized drug, lovastatin, that could be harmful to health. Read more...

Senior Citizens Should be Wary of Prepaid Credit Cards Sold Online

FTC gets judge to shut down operation for unauthorized debiting bank accounts

Aug. 7, 2007 – Senior citizens should by wary of operations marketing prepaid Visa and MasterCard, primarily on the Internet. At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal judge has halted the operations of at least one of these companies that was making unauthorized debits from consumers’ bank accounts. Read more...

Tips for Senior Citizens to Make Backyard Grilling Safer from Cancer

Only meat cooked on grill form cancer-causing chemicals - other foods pose no risk

Aug. 3, 2007 – It is those in the senior citizen generation that are probably the most accustomed to grilling hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken over a gray charcoal fire. No one told us as young adults fixing these backyard feasts that we were increasing the risk of cancer for our families. But, we were. There are, however, ways to make grilling safer. Read more...

Consumers Endangered by Confusing Food Safety Regulation, Communications

All recalled Castleberry’s products here from combining FDA, USDA and company recalls

By Tucker Sutherland, editor & publisher
SeniorJournal.com

July 25, 2007 - SeniorJournal.com has attempted to keep senior citizens well informed about the serious threat of botulism from canned food products manufactured by Castleberry’s Food Company, but the U.S. government’s system of monitoring food safety has made it difficult. Different recall lists have been issued by the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture and the company. It highlights what many see as a major weakness in the government’s responsibility to protect consumers from dangerous food products, and to keep them informed. Read more...

FDA Expands Castleberry’s Food Warning about Botulism - Adds Dog Food

Castleberry's Food canned meat recall grows to 90 products

July 23, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today revised its warning to consumers about possible botulism contamination in meat products canned by Castleberry’s Food Company to include more products in the recall, including dog foods. The number of products being recalled has reached 90, including some dog foods. Read more...

More Canned Meat Products Added to Botulism Alert by Castleberry’s Food

USDA says it’s a CLASS I RECALL - HIGH HEALTH RISK; CDC joins investigation

July 23, 2007 – Last week a “Senior Alert” in SeniorJournal.com notified senior citizens of an FDA recall of three chili sauce products distributed by Castleberry's Food Company, and the company's recall of seven additional products. The company has now expanding its July 19 recall of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum that causes botulism -a rare but serious paralytic illness. The Centers for Disease Control has also joined the investigation. Read more...

Senior Citizens, Others Warned of Botulism Risk in Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Chili sauce, chili with beans, corned beef hash under several brands recalled after FDA alert

July 19, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning yesterday for consumers not to eat 10 ounce cans of hot dog chili sauce marketed under three brand names and the manufacturer immediately issued a recall and added cans of corned beef hash and chili with beans to the list. The FDA says there is possible botulism contamination, which can be fatal, especially for senior citizens. Read more...

Fraud of Senior Citizens by Home Health Agencies is Target for Government Initiative

Initial efforts to focus on Greater Los Angeles and Houston areas

July 17, 2007 – An alarm about fraud of senior citizens by home health care providers was raised today by an announcement that Health and Human Services will begin an initiative designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries from fraudulent Home Health Agency (HHA) providers. Read more...

FDA Says Foreign Drugs Bought on Internet May Be More Expensive, Risky

Some buying foreign drugs to avoid getting a prescription from their doctor

July 13, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration continues to warn the American public about the dangers of buying medications over the Internet. New FDA data show that consumers who are trying to save money on prescription drugs don’t need to take chances by buying prescription drugs from foreign Internet sites, because low-cost generic versions are available in the United States, according to an FDA press release. Read more...

Senior Citizen Investors Being Fooled by Titles Easily Obtained: New York Times

Fourth article in series by New York Times on how companies, people are trying to profit on wealthy elderly in America

July 9, 2007 – Every senior citizen that has money invested, or is considering investment, needs to read an article in the New York Times online. The primary warning in this article is that seniors should not be fooled by fancy sounding titles, like “Certified Senior Adviser.” Many are easily obtained by people who want to take advantage of the elderly in America, who own $15 trillion in assets. Read more...

Many Senior Citizens May Not Know What Is NOT Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Survey shows lack of awareness among consumers when it comes to their homeowners policies

June 13, 2007 - A large percentage of U.S. homeowners mistakenly believe that standard homeowners insurance protects them from a wide array of perils, according to new research by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In fact, typical property and liability policies don’t cover home damage from floods, earthquakes, water line breaks, termites, mold and several other perils, large and small. Read more...

SEC Chair Uses Parents' Experience to Warn Senior Citizens about Scams

Christopher Cox says elderly parents barraged with sales ploys

April 23, 2007 - Christopher Cox, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, understands firsthand the issues seniors and their family members face in separating investing opportunities from investing scams. In this exclusive interview he explains how his elderly parents were barraged with sales ploys. Read more...

Anti-Wrinkle Compound Found to Cause Pathological Reaction in Skin Cells

Researchers call for more study to see if DMAE is safe

April 11, 2007 – Before you rub that next treatment of anti-wrinkle cream on your face, you may want to check the label to see if it contains DMAE. In a report on the study of how this compound commonly used in many anti-wrinkle products works, researchers have found a pathological reaction in skin cells and call for “serious research” to determine if it poses a health risk. Their conclusion about the mode of action of DMAE appears in the latest edition of the British Journal of Dermatology. Read more...

Company agrees to voluntary suspension due to heart risks but hopes for comeback

March 30, 2007 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today it has requested, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals agreed, that marketing of Zelnorm (tegaserod) should be discontinued. Novartis said it would suspend marketing of the drug in the U.S. based on the recently identified finding of an increased risk of serious cardiovascular adverse events (heart problems) associated with use of the drug. Read more...

Parkinson's Treatment Drugs Being Withdrawn, Says FDA

Permax (pergolide) and two generic versions may damage heart valves

March 29, 2007 – Pergolide products used to treat Parkinson's disease is being withdrawn from the market, according to an announcement today from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA said that manufacturers of pergolide drug products, which are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, will voluntarily remove these drugs from the market because of the risk of serious damage to patients’ heart valves. Read more...

Senior Citizens' Memory Problems May Be Due to Their Sleeping Pills

FDA wants stronger warnings on drugs for sleep disorders

March 16, 2007 – Senior citizens with memory problems may find it is not dementia, but the medicine they are taking for a sleep disorder that is causing them to forget. "Sleep-driving" - driving not fully awake after taking a sedative-hypnotic drug and then having no memory of the trip – is one of problems highlighted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in requesting manufacturers of these drugs add new warnings to their labels. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Seniors Citizens Warned of Dangerous Drug Shipped to Online Buyers

FDA suspects powerful anti-psychotic substituted for order

Feb. 20, 2007 – Some Americans who ordered Ambien, Xanax, Lexapro, and Ativan over the Internet have received instead what appears to be the drug haloperidol, a powerful anti-psychotic drug, according to a warning for senior citizens and other consumers from the Food and Drug Administration. Read more...

Seniors Falling Prey to Aggressive Tactics of Private Insurers Says Report

Consumer advocates say lack of government oversight increases risk of losing access, paying more for health care

Feb. 6, 2007 - Insurance agents are pushing people with Medicare into private health plans that do not meet their health care or financial needs, according to a new report by consumer groups. In its study, California Health Advocates and the Medicare Rights Center detail the "unscrupulous sales practices of insurers" and call for heightened government oversight of private insurers selling Medicare health and drug plans. Read more...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

AARP Pulling Senior Citizen Vitamin Off the Market After Report on MSNBC

ConsumerLab.com says it finds problems in about half of vitamins

January 19, 2007 – AARP has pulled its vitamin AARP Maturity Formula from the market and is offering refunds to purchasers after an investigation of vitamins was conducted by ConsumerLab.com and reported on MSNBC and NBC’s Today Show. “If you're banking on a daily vitamin to make up for any deficiencies in your diet, you may be getting a whole lot more — or less — than you bargained for,” says the lead on this story by Jacqueline Stenson. Read more...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Growth Hormone is Not the Anti-Aging Bullet for Healthy Senior Citizens

Promoters of GH as an anti-aging therapy target the healthy elderly

January 17, 2007 – Almost every senior citizen has been tempted by advertising for products containing "GH." It stands for "human growth hormone" and has been promoted as the ultimate in anti-aging supplements. That's not true, says a new review of published data on use GH by healthy elderly people. The study found that the synthetic hormone was associated with small changes in body composition but not in body weight or other clinically important outcomes. Read more...

Don’t Swallow All the Research Reports on Beverages Cautions New Study

Studies funded by industry tend to produce results favorable to funding source

January 10, 2007 – Because senior citizens tend to be more skeptical than most, not many readers of SeniorJournal.com will be surprised by a new study that found beverage studies funded solely by industry were four to eight times more likely to have conclusions favorable to sponsors’ financial interest than were studies with no industry funding. Read more...

Weight Loss Pills More Likely to Make Your Wallet Thinner Says FTC

Recovers $25 million from Xenadrine EFX, CortiSlim, TrimSpa, and One-A-Day WeightSmart

January 5, 2007 – Senior citizens and baby boomers, the age groups most tempted by claims of easy weight loss products, should heed the deceptive marketing done by some of the most popular of these 'magic' pills. Marketers of the four products –Xenadrine EFX, CortiSlim, TrimSpa, and One-A-Day WeightSmart – have settled with the FTC, surrendered cash and other assets worth at least $25 million, and agreed to limit their future advertising claims. Read more....

Cracking Down on Health Fraud

Editor's Note: Earlier this year the FTC launched a large effort to seek out fraudulent advertising aimed at Spanish-speaking consumers. It discovered massive fraudulent advertising – particularly of health products – that is aimed at Americans speaking Spanish or English. The FDA Consumer Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 2006 offers this advice. Read more...

Acetaminophen Caplets for Pain Relief Being Voluntarily Recalled

Recall of 500mg caplets that may contain metal fragments

November 10, 2006 – Senior citizens – the age group that most frequently uses pain relief from medication – should be aware of a voluntary recall of Acetaminophen 500mg caplets manufactured and distributed under various store-brands as a result of small metal fragments found in a small number of these caplets, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read more...

Fraudulent Diabetes Cures being Chased off Internet in Three Country Campaign

FTC launches Website to educate on diabetes frauds and 'cure alls'

October 20, 2006 – A unified effort by U.S. regulators and agencies in Mexico and Canada is underway to stop deceptive Internet advertisements and sales of products misrepresented as cures for treatments for diabetes. Warnings and advisories have been sent to online outlets in all three countries. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), one of the agencies involved, also announced today a new consumer education campaign on how to avoid phony diabetes cures. Read more...

Money Matters for Seniors

Great Ideas for Senior Citizens on Preventing Identity Theft

	Editor's Note
	This is one of the best list of ideas on preventing identify theft we have seen. We recommend you email these unique actions to your friends. Just click here to email.

Limiting exposure of personal information is the best way to protect yourself from fraud

By Robert Valentine

October 5, 2006 - For the sixth consecutive year, identity theft surpassed construction, credit card and debt collection fraud as the most prevalent form of consumer fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which received 255,000 identity theft complaints last year. Read more...

Senior Citizen Alerts

FDA Offers Safety Tips for Protecting Food During Power Outages, Flooding

September 5, 2006 – With hurricanes again threatening, the Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers to the food risks that can occur from power outages and flooding. The agency has also included a list of suggested safety steps, which are important to senior citizens in particular, since many older people are among the least able to evacuate their homes. Read more...

Your Personal Data is Being Sold by Data Brokers and Often Incorrect

Consumer Reports finds disasters results, suggests safe-guards

September 1, 2006 - A three-month investigation by Consumer Reports concluded that current federal laws do not adequately safeguard American's sensitive information, which is often collected and sold by data brokers, with the federal government being the biggest customer. The practices of commercial data brokers can rob consumers of their privacy, threaten them with identity theft and profile them as dead beats or security risks, according to a report in CRs October issue. CR also has some suggestions on how to better protect your personal information. Read more...

FDA Warns Consumers Not to Buy Prescription Drugs from Some Canadian Websites

Investigating reports of counterfeit versions of drug products

August 31, 2006 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising senior citizens and other consumers not to purchase prescription drugs from websites that have orders filled by Mediplan Prescription Plus Pharmacy or Mediplan Global Health in Manitoba, Canada following reports of counterfeit versions of prescription drug products being sold by these companies to U.S. consumers. FDA is investigating these reports and is coordinating with international law enforcement authorities on this matter. Read more...

Their Pills Do Not Cure Alzheimer's or Diabetes and FTC Stops Claims

Maker of herbal supplements Dia-Cope and Sagee forfeits gains

August 14, 2006 – An outfit that had already been busted for selling a fake herbal supplement they claimed would treat Alzheimer's disease has now been banned by the Federal Trade Commission from claiming their new pills will cure diabetes and made to forfeit their earnings. Both claims are obvious bait for senior citizens, who are the most frequent victims of the two diseases. Read more...

DNA Tests Marketed Online as 'Nutrigenetic Tests' Are Misleading

Senate aging committee, FTC, FDA, CDC, GAO sound warnings

July 31, 2006 – Sounds tempting doesn't it – to buy online a relatively inexpensive do-it-yourself genetic test to do your own DNA check. Senior citizens, the most vulnerable and concerned about genetic diseases are clear targets of these marketers. "…consumers now can purchase at-home tests that claim to predict propensities for a myriad of health conditions, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes and arthritis," according to Sen. Gordon H. Smith, chairman of the Senate's committee on aging. Read more...

Latest E-Mail Scam Appears to Come from FirstGov.gov

GSA issues alert for fakes requesting your personal information

July 29, 2006 -The U.S. General Services Administration's Office of Citizens Services & Communications is warning senior citizens and others to avoid falling victim to a recent e-mail scheme that targets users by sending unsolicited e-mails allegedly from FirstGov, the citizen portal operated by GSA. Read more...

Most Identity Theft Committed by Someone You Know

Home-bound elderly may be among most vulnerable

July 26, 2006 - Fifty-three percent of identity theft victims last year reported their identity stolen by a friend, a relative, an employee, or an acquaintance. The home-bound elderly, who receive assistance from home services and others, may be particularly vulnerable, due to their frailty and dependence. The National Crime Prevention Council today began airing public service radio spots to help senior citizens and others learn more about preventing identity theft. Read more...

SEC Takes Emergency Action to Halt $15 Million Fraud Against Senior Citizens

Seeking asset freezes and appointment of a temporary receiver

July 15, 2006 - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced yesterday that it filed an emergency enforcement action to halt a fraudulent real estate investment scheme that bilked senior citizens and retirees out of millions of dollars since 1996. Read more...

Senior Citizens Get Scammed in Alarming Numbers

PSAs, booklet educate seniors on preventing telemarketing fraud

July 12, 2006 – The majority of fraudulent telemarketing calls – 56 to 80 percent – are directed at senior citizens. This problem is becoming worse as more and more Americans move into the 65 and older age group. The National Crime Prevention Council, in recognition of National Fraud Awareness Week, has issued a new booklet - available online, and launched new television public service announcements to help older Americans avoid telemarketing fraud. Read more...

States, SEC Work to Protect Elderly Investors

By Elizabeth Wilkerson, Special to Stateline.org

July 12, 2006 - In preparation for the biggest retirement boom in history, states are joining with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) to protect seniors from predatory sales tactics and investment fraud. Read more...

Telephone Scammers Raise the Price on Medicare Drug Pitch

Medicare asks senior citizens to report fraudulent activity

June 17, 2006 - The “$299 Ring” scheme to defraud senior citizens and people with disabilities has changed into a higher priced scam involving in some cases a new Medicare card, instead of a prescription drug plan, warns the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare has already referred nearly 250 cases involving attempts to steal beneficiaries’ funds to federal law enforcement officials. Read more...

Hundreds Arrested in Mass-Marketing Fraud Targeting Senior Citizens

“Operation Global Con” initiative grabs 565 on three continents

May 24, 2006 - More than 565 people in North and South America and Europe have been arrested as part of “Operation Global Con” – the largest and most far-reaching multinational enforcement operation ever directed at mass-marketing fraud schemes, but, like most of the rest, senior citizens were one of their chief targets, the Department of Justice announced today. Read more...

Senior Citizen Medical Alert

Older Patients Being Given Urinary Catheters for No Reason

Women, all over 85, chronically ill, and frail are especially at risk

May 22, 2006 - A study of 1,586 hospitalized senior citizens - age 70 and older - at two Ohio hospitals indicates that 24 percent of these elderly patients were given medically unnecessary urinary catheters, according to investigators led by a researcher at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. Read more...

Senior Citizen Medical Alert

Good News: Lots of Public Defibrillators, Bad News: Many Don't Work

New data finds recalls of automated external defibrillators to be common

May 18, 2006 – The good news for senior citizens is that the distribution of life-saving automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) has spread dramatically in public places, with 200,000 in place last year. The terrible news is that about one in five don't work. Data presented today at the Heart Rhythm Society's 27th Annual Scientific Sessions finds that during a 10-year study period more than one in five automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) were recalled due to potential malfunction. Read more...

FTC Halts Spyware Attackers, Posts Protection Advice Seniors Can Use

May 4, 2006 – The Federal Trade Commission today shut down two operators that deceptively downloaded "spyware" on the computers of unsuspecting consumers. One of the unwanted downloads changed settings and hijacked the computers search engines. The other operator was stealing the personal information of the consumers. The agency has also posted information about identifying and avoiding spyware that can be helpful to many senior citizens. Read more...

Checking Auto Tire Air Pressure Saves Lives and Gasoline

One in five drivers do not properly check tire pressure

April 24, 2006 - Better tire maintenance by senior citizens and other motorists could reduce highway crashes, save gasoline and keep tires rolling longer according to tire manufacturers, retailers, auto dealers, safety advocates and state government agencies that have made this the focus of National Tire Safety Week, which begins today. A recent survey also found more than 80 percent of drivers do not know how to properly check their tire pressure. (Also see sidebar on "Tips for Senior Citizens to Reduce Gasoline Cost") Read more...

Senior Citizens Lead Nation in Growing Lawn Mowing Injuries

Injuries from lawn mowing increase nationwide and by age

April 20, 2006 – How often have we read that the risk of some dreaded problem, like heart disease or cancer, "increases with age?" Well, now you can add lawnmower injuries. The author of a new study says, "Lawnmower injuries increase with age, with peaks in persons older than 59 years." The study of such accidents in 2004, found senior citizens 60 to 69 had the most push mover injuries and those 70 and older had the most riding mower injuries. The author does, however, have some ideas on how to better your odds. Read more...

Are "Wired Seniors" Sitting Ducks?

by Susannah Fox
Pew Internet & American Life Project

April 12, 2006 - Currently, the vast majority of Americans age 65 and older do not go online. But that will likely change in a big way as the "silver tsunami" of internet-loving Baby Boomers swamps the off-line senior population in the next 10 years. That demographic shift, paired with a rising tide of viruses, spyware, and other online critters, is cause for concern since there is evidence that older users are less likely than younger ones to take precautions against software intrusions and fraud. Read more...

Seniors May Benefit Most from New Red Cross Training on CPR, Cardiac Help

April 4, 2006 – Senior citizens – who most often are around other older people, who are the most likely to need CPR, the aid of a defibrillator or emergency cardiovascular care – should consider taking advantage of the newly revised training programs and materials new being implemented by the American Red Cross for these emergencies. It could save the life of your spouse, your best friend or your neighbor. Read more...

How Senior Citizens Avoid Investment Fraud is Topic for Wednesday Hearing

Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing will be webcast

March 28, 2006 – A hearing will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29, with experts providing their ideas on how senior citizens can stop investment fraud. The hearing by the Senate Special Committee on Aging will be in room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building but also available by webcast. Read more...

State Laws Protecting Seniors from Identity Theft, Fraud Repealed Today in House

Consumer groups critical of action by House Financial Services Committee

March 17, 2006 - The House Financial Services Committee voted today to repeal strict state notification and credit freeze laws that have helped to protect senior citizens and other consumers from identity theft and financial fraud. These laws provide essential protections that allow consumers to prevent identity thieves from opening credit accounts in their names and require companies to inform consumers when their personal data -- such as their Social Security and credit card numbers -- have become compromised. Consumer groups issued a news release critical of the action. Read more..

Bank Account Red Flags for Elder Financial Abuse

Over two million senior citizens victimized by financial abuse each year

March 16, 2006 – Elder financial abuse plagues over two million Americans each year and is the number one crime committed against senior citizens age 65 and older, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, this phenomenon will grow into epidemic proportions if it continues to run unreported. Read more...

Seniors Alerted to Scam Offering to Help Enroll in Medicare Part D

CMS warns of new '$299 Ring' using phone to get bank information

March 7, 2006 – If senior citizens don't have enough problems sorting out the Medicare prescription drug program, now they have to be alert to the possibility of being scammed by crooks that offer to help them enroll in the new Medicare Part D, but are really after money and checking account information. Read more...

Procrastination Week Good Time to Switch Social Security to Direct Deposit

Social Security checks get to you faster, safer deposited to your bank

March 6, 2006 - National Procrastination Week kicks off today and the government is using the opportunity to urge senior citizens to act now to get their Social Security and other benefit checks deposited directly to their bank accounts. It's faster and a whole lot safer, they say. Read more...

Investors Warned of 13 Most Likely Scams for 2006

Indiana official calls list the "Unlucky 13," warns Baby Boomers beware

March 3, 2006 – Indiana's Secretary of State Todd Rokita yesterday released a report outlining the 13 most common ways investors are likely to be trapped in 2006. He identified personal information scams, oil and gas investment fraud, and prime bank schemes as the greatest potential threats to investors this year. He noted his heightened concern for Baby Boomers, who may fall for one of the traps as they invest for retirement. An equal alert should go out to senior citizens who are investing their retirement funds. Read more...

American Senior Alliance Gets Busted with Two Others

Texas AG cracks down on three companies for taking advantage of seniors

Feb. 26, 2006 - One of the most notorious mass mailers of materials to senior citizens that were thinly designed to look as if they were an official government message has finally been busted. American Senior Alliance, Inc. and owner George R. Katosic were sued, along with two other companies and their owners, by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott for "bombarding seniors in Texas and across the country with deceptive, unsolicited mailers. Read more...

'Inflatable-Pants' Heart Failure Therapy Lacks Supporting Evidence

By Taunya English, Science Writer

Feb. 21, 2006 - A new review of studies supports the government’s opinion that too little evidence exists to support a device that uses balloon-like pants as a treatment for heart failure. External counterpulsation (ECP), a noninvasive therapy to improve blood flow to the heart, is most commonly used to relieve hard-to-treat chest pain for heart patients who are not candidates for surgery. Read More...

Seniors Be Wary of Free Product Offers Asking Them to Pay Shipping

FTC charges dietary supplement marketers for continued billing credit cards

Feb. 3, 2006 – There is a warning for senior citizens in new charges by the Federal Trade Commission against marketers selling dietary supplements. Seniors should be wary of advertising that offers any product free, if you just pay the low shipping cost with your credit card. Some of these offers may be legitimate, but the FTC has found at least one abuse. Read more...

Eye Drop Maker Threatens to Sue SeniorJournal.com Over Senior Alert

By Tucker Sutherland, editor

Jan. 29, 2006 – Jeff Jensen, vice president of MBI Distributing, an OTC drug manufacturer of eye drops and other products, has emailed SeniorJournal.com threatening legal action against our Web site if it does not remove from its site a "Senior Alert" article from last November that warned seniors about dangers from certain of their eye drop products based on information from the Food and Drug Administration. Read more...

Senior Alerts

Seniors Should Look Cautiously at Website Promising Millions for Retirement

Seniors now the target of one of America's best known promoters

By Tucker Sutherland, editor

Jan. 26, 2006 – We probably would just ignore Matthew Lesko, although he is a senior citizen, but now the super-sized promoter is taking dead aim at fellow senior citizens with a new by-subscription-only Website that is enticing older Americans with a promise to reveal 10,000 retirement benefits worth $890 million dollars. Read more...

Watch Drug List if Senior Citizen Being Moved in the Hospital – Mistakes Kill

Too many medication errors occur as patients change care settings

Jan. 26, 2006 – Senior citizens and their caregivers should be alert to this warning of a threat to life that is occurring in hospitals. Medication errors cause more than 7,000 deaths a year in U.S. hospitals. Many of these can be prevented if more attention is paid to the accuracy of medications given to patients as they are moved from one area of a hospital to another, from supervision of one healthcare worker to another or to any other new care setting. This caution flag was waved yesterday by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Read more...

Don't Fall for Email Hoax about Cell Phone Numbers Being Made Public

There is no need to add cell phone to any Do Not Call Registry

Jan. 21, 2006 – Once again fake emails are circulating on the Internet warning that cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers soon and that senior citizens and other users should register their cell phones with the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry to be protected. It is a hoax, says the Federal Trade Commission – cell phone numbers are not being released and there is no need to register with any do not call list. Read more...

Seniors Should Report Adverse Medical Reactions to FDA’s MedWatch

FDA also has special online sites just for senior citizens

Jan. 20, 2006 - The FDA MedWatch program is designed to identify serious reactions and problems with medical devices and other medical products and it needs information from the public on adverse medical reactions to provide proper information. The MedWatch Website is the place to report problems or to get the latest information on medical product problems identified by FDA. The agency, however, has other sites that are specifically for senior citizens. Read more...

Foreign Drugs May Have Same Name as US Product but Different Ingredients

FDA warns seniors confusion with brand names can be disaster

Jan. 12, 2006 - An FDA investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found that many foreign medications, although marketed under the same or similar-sounding brand names as those in the United States, contain different active ingredients than in the United States. Taking a different active ingredient may not help, and may even harm, the user, warns the FDA. Read more...

Human Growth Hormone Still Hyped for Anti-aging Benefits – But?

Senior citizens need to know more about HGH – it's not legal for anti-aging

Jan. 10, 2006 - Can growth hormone reverse the aging process? As long as that question is out there, hucksters will keep selling human growth hormone (HGH) to aging Americans, who are grasping for a youth that has slipped away. NBC's Today Show this morning featured Dr. Judith Reichman providing medical and legal information about this hormone, and various formulations and growth hormone substitutes that are sold by the multi-billion dollar anti-aging industry. Read more...

Low-Income Seniors May Get Assistance with Energy Bills

Jan. 9, 2006 – Senior citizens and other low-income Americans can receive help with paying their winter energy bills. Health and Human Services is making $733 million available to states, territories and tribes through the Administration for Children and Families' Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Read more...

Huckster Targeting Elderly with False Claims Banned by FTC

Pushed dietary supplements to cure Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and emphysema

Jan. 4, 2006 - The mastermind behind a scheme to sell dietary supplements – primarily to senior citizens - using claims the Federal Trade Commission alleged were false and unsubstantiated has been banned from the direct response marketing of foods, unapproved drugs, and dietary supplements. Read more...

Hypothermia a Risk for Elderly with Temperature Just 60 Degrees

Dialing down the thermostat for dollars may be high risk for seniors - caregivers beware

Jan. 3, 2006 - With home heating fuel costs expected to soar this winter, and the media giving this a lot of attention, millions of older Americans will be dialing down their heat to save money. For most people, dialing-down just means a slightly chilly home, but for the elderly, it could bring serious health implications, including hypothermia, and could even lead to additional health risk for otherwise healthy people. Read more...

Pending Medicaid Asset Transfer Law Encourages Planning Now

By ElderLawAnswers.com

Dec. 26, 2005 - When families gather together for the holidays, it's an ideal time to sit down and discuss important issues like long-term care planning. This holiday season such discussions are taking on a special urgency because of the profound changes to the Medicaid rules that are looming. The bottom line: if you have been hesitating about seeing an attorney about long-term care planning, hesitate no longer. Read more...

Dec. 22, 2005 - Resolving to clean out your medicine cabinet – or that of a senior citizen you care about - is a good idea for the new year. Hanging onto unused medications can increase the chances of taking the wrong one, and old drugs can lose their potency, reports the Harvard Heart Letter. But have you ever thought about where the medicine will end up? Scientists are finding everything from aspirin to Zoloft in our streams, rivers, and lakes. Read more...