Scam artists target area seniors

The Better Business Bureau is warning area seniors to be wary of a new phone scam in which they are threatened with cancellation of Medicare or Medicare part D coverage as a means to get the senior's bank account information. Roma Costanza with the Senior Insurance Office in Colorado Springs says Medicare and Social Security never ask for bank information, cash payment, or other personal information. Once seniors have turned over bank account information they can lose everything in their accounts and a few have already lost large amounts. "Seniors may get calls from Medicare providers," said Katie Carrol, spokeswoman for BBB of Southern Colorado, "but they already have most of the senior's information and are not allowed to get any financial information over the phone." For further information call the Colorado Consumer line at 800-222-4444.