From the Kansas Insurance Department, December 20, 2010
TOPEKA, Kan. — It's the season of giving, but older Kansans should be wary of what information they are giving out.
That's the warning from Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger following indications of suspected telephone fraud activity reported to the insurance department's anti-fraud division.
"Older Kansans in the northeast part of the state have received phone calls from unknown persons asking about insurance policies," Commissioner Praeger said. "The callers are seeking personal and financial information. Fortunately, in the reported cases, the possible victims were smart not to give out information that might be part of a fraud or identity theft scheme.”
Insurance fraud is a multi-billion dollar problem in the United States, according to the National Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. It occurs in all lines of insurance.
"I urge Kansans to follow the 'Stop.Call.Confirm' method for evaluating any insurance solicitations you believe are suspect," Commissioner Praeger said. "Stop the call until you find out more by calling our department's Consumer Assistance Division hotline to confirm the information you received over the phone."
The department's hotline number (in Kansas) is 800-432-2484.