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Pennsylvania officials are warning residents about a new scam involving unordered medical equipment, such as walkers and wheelchairs, being sent to homes. The scam targets seniors by billing Medicare or the recipients directly for items they did not order. According to WFMZ, the scam has not yet been reported locally in Berks County, but officials believe it may spread quickly.
Katie Catchmark, deputy director of the Berks County Office of Aging, advises those affected to immediately contest the charges with their insurance company and seek assistance from a loved one if needed. Catchmark also emphasizes the importance of appointing a power of attorney to help manage such situations.
In addition to this scam, Pennsylvania residents are also being warned about phishing text messages impersonating the Department of Revenue. As reported by the Philadelphia Department of Revenue, these texts attempt to steal sensitive information by prompting recipients to click on malicious links. The department stresses that they never request banking information via text message.
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue reminds residents to avoid clicking on unknown links and to report any suspicious messages. Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne advises deleting any unsolicited messages asking for personal information and reporting them to the appropriate authorities.