Interesting phone call. your thoughts?
 

Ok, so I just got a call and the caller ID said Patient Benefits with an 800 #. The lady on the phone said she wanted to talk to me about my mobility and the devices I use to help me. She then asked about what I use for mobility, and how it works for me. I told her and she asked if I would benefit from a power wheelchair.

She asked if I had private insurance or medicare, I said medicare and she asked me for my ht. wt. and then the golden question, what is my DOB and medicare number, which of course, is my social security number. I told her with the ID theft in the country I was not comfortable giving that information out to someone I don't know. I asked for her phone number so I could call her back, she gave me a number, and a website (www.lifestylemedical.net) she said she was in Miami and worked on eastern time zone.

My gut says not to give her any DOB or medicare information. Is my gut right?

I would not have a problem if she faxed me a form to fill out, but over the phone, it just smells rotten.

I wouldn't give my personal information out to anyone who called me.

If you are truly interested in obtaining a power chair from these people I'm sure they have some paperwork they could mail or fax you to get you started.

I just don't trust anyone anymore.......especially someone who found me.

Good luck....and be careful!

It may be OK, but you are right, to not give out any personal info over the phone..:eek:l

Check them out thoroughly, before signing up. :cool:

my thought ... go with your gut feeling ... i have found that 9 out of 10 times my gut feelings are correct ... tell the lady to fax company info and a form to you ... something that allows you the company name, phone, address, ... check the company out ... then if your gut says yes ... send info ... if gut says no ... walk away

[QUOTE=Earl;384622]
My gut says not to give her any DOB or medicare information. Is my gut right?

I would not have a problem if she faxed me a form to fill out, but over the phone, it just smells rotten.[/QUOTE)

Your probably right first instincts are usually the right ones, don't think I'd have even given said information via fax unless I started the conversation. Remember nobody gives anything away free w/out some sorta catch....

My advice, don't do it. No matter what she tells you, you don't know if they are legit. You could however call the city the number is from and see if they are an actual company. The Chamber of Commerce should be able to help. You can check for the address on the internet by typing in reverse number lookup.

Most likely they are just trying to make sales and hoping you'll give info out easily.
they may even "make" a sale on paper to bill your ins - but you might never see the chair.

I don't know if I'd even give the info on a fax unless I really verified the place/people are legit.

always go with your gut reaction - never give out any info on the phone - if they want to sell you something, etc - they can send you the info in the mail and you can check on the company at your leisure not when you're feeling pressured on the phone - I agree with Jo55 -

I never give out personal info over the phone, especially if I didn't initiate the call. I agree with getting actual forms and such.

She's gotta lot of nerve asking your weight! I'd give out my SS# before I'd divulge my weight, lol!!! :D


I checked out the website:

Q: Can I choose the color of my Lift Chair to match the interior of my house?"

A: Yes, the upholstery on the lift chair comes in a variety of colors and patterns you can choose to match the interior of your house.

Sheesh, Earl, how can you pass up a chair that matches your house?

My chair doesn't match my house (sniff, sniff) but they say black is slimming. Does my butt look big in this???

Earl, Sounds like they're phisihng for a scam victim. Or a fast way to make money.

If YOU did not iniate the Call, meaning you didnt answer a survery, or fill out a I want more info style card or phone call somewhere, then NEVER EVER EVER give out ANY info. Like DOB or mothers maiden name. Ask that they MAIL you ALL the information that you are speaking about, so that you and your husband have time to go over it IN PERSON with your MD to see if this product is right for you. IF she refuses to mail the information out WITHOUT having ANY numbers from you, then its a scam!

Its ingenious how quickly they can draw people in, and get trust going since talking so compassionatly about being sick, and needing help, and how our company GIVES away at little or no cost to you...

DONT DO IT! Once that number is out there, its too dang hard to get it back.

I caught my hubby once (a jail house Captain) talking on the phone one day to a lady about our credit card (zero balance!) he pulled out his credit card and started to read the number. I almost fainted! I grabbed the phone away from him, and asked this woman WHO ARE YOU?! she was from some company that sells insurance to protect you should your card be stolen. I said NO THANKS and hung up. My hubby was mad till I asked a few basic questions. Did you call her? or did she call you? If she truly represents YOUR CC company she will already have the number, and not need the 3 digit code on the back. She will already have your SS and DOB. He felt so dumb afterwards at how easily she was able to convince him she worked for HIS CC company. We called his CC company and verified that this person DOESNT work for them. We turned in the number from the caller ID.

Scary! you did the right thing. HANG UP!

They called back today asking if I was ready to proceed. I asked them to fax me their forms and I would send them back, they said they could not fax things, I said 'I believe you are not a legitimate business and demand you stop calling me" they were very snotty and hung up.

My gut was right.

Geez!! I got a fax machine at my house, but can't work it without the kids.

That is the best thing to do Earl "Listen to your Gut" it will never
lead you astray.

Glad that you did what you did and didn't get hooked into this scam.

I would like to know where they get some of the information about us.
How did they know if you needed a power chair or any other device to
help you. We all try to be so careful about giving out to much information but they still have ways to get things that you would never think anyone
new.

Jappy :hug:

call the better business bureau...they will tell you if they are legit, their rating as a business if they are listed with the BBB.

I wouldn't give out the information...I think you should listen to yourself...its telling you Earl don't do it....Earl, no don't do it. :p

Where did Earl go???? Is he listening???:D:D

I responded above. I turned them down, they got rude, I wonder how many others fall for the their scam. sad