Another "Is this a scam" question

[wdfifteen]

So I got a text from some outfit that wants to do a genetic test for neurological problems. I said it sounded OK to me. We got in touch by phone, and the guy had the same script as the scammers who call. He called me "Mr Patrick" a lot and - trying to be delicate here - his voice and accent made it clear he isn't from around here, though he said his name is, "Adam." I kept waiting for him to ask for an SS or Medicare number or something. But he said, "This is billed through your insurance 100%, no charge to you," several times.

So we go through some questions and he finally says, "I need you to say your name very clearly so we can bill this to Medicare."

At that point I told him I was done and ended the call.

So:
1. Guy calls up and offers some medical screening that no doctor has ever recommended.
2. His script and tone of his voice sounds like a scammer trying to get my bank account or SS number.
3. He wants my permission to bill this "test" to medicare and can't tell me the amount.

Sounds to me like a Medicare fraud scam
Does it fishy to you, or am I too cynical?

[Scott Douglas]

Fishy as a 10 day old flounder left out in the sun.

[Chocaholic]

I’d have never responded to such a text. Yes, it’s a scam and they now know your cell number is real.

Rule of thumb, if a call or text comes from someone not in your address book, ignore it.

[pwd72s]

At the very least an attempt to defraud medicare...in your name.

[rcooled]

They're after a voiceprint of you saying your name to be used in a scam of some sort. You were smart to end that call when you did.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I’d have never responded to such a text.

Rule of thumb, if a call or text comes from someone not in your address book, ignore it.

I am involved in a medical research project and I responded to the first text because I thought it had something to do with that. I've corresponded with three or four different departments related to the project.
I should have been more suspicious early on.

[pwd72s]

That's how they almost got Cindy...she's been dealing with Xfinity. So, when a scammer called, happening to say she was with Xfinity... Luckily, I returned home in time from the barber shop...Cindy on the 'puter, with the phone in her ear, almost to the point of opening our checking account to the scammer..a refund scam. She had given our account number, but hadn't yet done the steps to let them in. I must have set a new personal record from home to the bank where that account was closed, another opened...a PITA, but coulda been worse.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I am involved in a medical research project and I responded to the first text because I thought it had something to do with that. I've corresponded with three or four different departments related to the project.
I should have been more suspicious early on.

Ah, understood. Good that you unplugged when you did.

[stealthn]

They probably had all he voice recordings they needed other than your name to create a voice fake.

Way too may smishes these days

[freddy67]

If a test is legitimate, it usually comes through your doctor, not a random call asking you to give your name clearly so they can bill you for something.

I had a similar call last year about a “covered screening” that I never asked for, and it seemed rushed and contrived. That got me to start looking into how these things are billed, and I ended up going through this Medicare fraud website to understand how companies try to push services through Medicare without proper referrals. If it’s not coming from your actual provider, I would be wary and not agree to anything over the phone.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I’d have never responded to such a text. Yes, it’s a scam and they now know your cell number is real.

Rule of thumb, if a call or text comes from someone not in your address book, ignore it.

^^^^^
That! Right there! I had a hell of a time explaining this to my dad. I told him the same about phone calls. "If the caller isn't in your contact list and you don't recognize the number, don't answer. If it's something important, they'll leave a message."

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

So I got a text from some outfit that wants to do a genetic test for neurological problems. I said it sounded OK to me. We got in touch by phone, and the guy had the same script as the scammers who call. He called me "Mr Patrick" a lot and - trying to be delicate here - his voice and accent made it clear he isn't from around here, though he said his name is, "Adam." I kept waiting for him to ask for an SS or Medicare number or something. But he said, "This is billed through your insurance 100%, no charge to you," several times.

So we go through some questions and he finally says, "I need you to say your name very clearly so we can bill this to Medicare."

At that point I told him I was done and ended the call.

So:
1. Guy calls up and offers some medical screening that no doctor has ever recommended.
2. His script and tone of his voice sounds like a scammer trying to get my bank account or SS number.
3. He wants my permission to bill this "test" to medicare and can't tell me the amount.

Sounds to me like a Medicare fraud scam
Does it fishy to you, or am I too cynical?

Absolutely 100% scam.

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I’d have never responded to such a text. Yes, it’s a scam and they now know your cell number is real.

Rule of thumb, if a call or text comes from someone not in your address book, ignore it.

100% - better to not respond/answer.

Originally Posted by rcooled

They're after a voiceprint of you saying your name to be used in a scam of some sort. You were smart to end that call when you did.

Originally Posted by stealthn

They probably had all he voice recordings they needed other than your name to create a voice fake.

Way too may smishes these days

Yep.
https://www.becu.org/blog/voice-cloning-ai-scams-are-on-the-rise

What Is an AI Voice Cloning Scam?

AI voice cloning scams involve using AI to generate a voice that sounds like your friend or family member in distress. The fake voice will ask you to send emergency financial help, claiming to need it while traveling in a foreign country, after being arrested, kidnapped or involved in a car accident.

While the family emergency scam isn't new, the use of AI voice cloning is a twist that makes these scams harder than ever to recognize.

[917_Langheck]

Originally Posted by masraum

Absolutely 100% scam.

While the family emergency scam isn't new, the use of AI voice cloning is a twist that makes these scams harder than ever to recognize.

This is where you invoke the scenario where a family known password is requested. The scammer is not going to know it, and you'll know the voice isn't real. Bye bye scammer.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 917_Langheck

This is where you invoke the scenario where a family known password is requested. The scammer is not going to know it, and you'll know the voice isn't real. Bye bye scammer.

Yes, that (family secret password) is something that was mentioned in either the article that I posted or maybe some other article that I've seen.

[john70t]

Good idea, but when you guys agreed on a password over the phone the AI listening in already picked that out of the conversation.
The tech bro at the company sold it to his brother overseas.

Or the password was heard by that helpful phone application, the microphone always carried around.
(oh yes, several companies have been caught with 'human review' departments.)

Or the roomba, interior doorbell cam, gaming console, tv, smart fridge, car or twenty other devices.

There is a camel in most tents these days. And it's all legal. Most people actually chose it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

AI needs about 10 seconds of your voice talking to fully clone it. I think it’s that, or good old fashioned Medicare fraud of some variety.

[A930Rocket]

I got another call today from Dave, letting me know my loan has been approved. 🙄

[917_Langheck]

Originally Posted by john70t

Good idea, but when you guys agreed on a password over the phone the AI listening in already picked that out of the conversation.
The tech bro at the company sold it to his brother overseas.

Or the password was heard by that helpful phone application, the microphone always carried around.
(oh yes, several companies have been caught with 'human review' departments.)

Or the roomba, interior doorbell cam, gaming console, tv, smart fridge, car or twenty other devices.

There is a camel in most tents these days. And it's all legal. Most people actually chose it.

Ha, my folks are boomers, they do their own work, have minimal smart tech, and we detailed this scenario in person, so no electronic data leaks there...

But ya, don't declare your password while talking with Alexa and riding the Zumba

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by 917_Langheck

Ha, my folks are boomers, they do their own work, have minimal smart tech, and we detailed this scenario in person, so no electronic data leaks there...

But ya, don't declare your password while talking with Alexa and riding the Zumba

Better yet, get that crap out of your house.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I got another call today from Dave, letting me know my loan has been approved. 🙄

I get several spam emails per week saying my $380,000 loan is pre-approved. One of them was pre-approved for $475,000. They all just go straight to my spam box, and I only see them as I flush my spam box to empty it.