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At first she said that I can receive my shot at home. I said no, then she said at my Dr's office. Also, she said that I would need some kind of genetics test because I have high blood pressure. I hesitated and she hung up. This sounded strange to me. What do you think?

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Scam.
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Yes, it is strange. And it was a scam. Your covid vaccine is covered by the federal government and payment goes directly to those administering it. It is up to you to clear with your doctor if you feel there might be any reason you should not take this vaccine. There are no pre tests of any kind required.
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No, Medicare does not call. Genetics test for high blood pressure? Malarkey.
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I don't believe they do that. How terrible some people are.. They have nothing better to do.
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lmb1234 Jan 2021
Yes, these people are awful. I've often said that if they put their minds to actually doing something beneficial for others, many of them would likely be quite well off. There's just no understanding how the mind of a selfish, uncaring person works.
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I agree, it’s a scam. I never answer a number that I don’t know.

Let these calls go to voicemail. Do not call any number back that you don’t know.

I hate scam text messages too!
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Frances73 Jan 2021
I agree, don’t answer a number you don’t know. Anyone legit will leave a voicemail you can reply to.
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It all sounds suspicious. Try and get the phone number for Medicare and inform them of the call. You could also call the police. They are aware of scams thst are taking place. If in doubt about any call don't give them any information about yourself. Just hang up. I like to let calls go to my answering machine. Then I can decide whether to respond or not.
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Fowlair Jan 2021
Getting the phone number really doesn't help because they can change the way the name and number appear on your caller ID. Advancements in technology aren't always our friends.
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Thank you for your support!
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SCAM. SCAM. SCAM.. I Repeat. SCAM.
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Someone was trying to rope you into agreeing to pay for something that has nothing to do with the Covid shots.   And how would this person know if you did have high blood pressure?  That's a big clue, and an attempt to frighten you into agreeing to something you don't need.

My understanding is that if the target (you) agrees, the caller then asks for your Medicare number, and orders something allegedly on your behalf, but which is delivered to them, and resold.  In the meantime they've tricked Medicare into paying for the item, by using your Medicare number.    

I haven't gone through this, but someone else battles these people and shares the information she gets.
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Someone was trying to get into your house. Glad you didn't fall for it.
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Medicare, SS, IRS, CC companies, none of them call. They send snail mail or email only.

Please everyone: fill out your caller IDs for the people, places and organizations you know and trust. All other calls just let go to voicemail. If it is important (like a lab or your doctor's office) you can return those calls and then add them to your caller ID. But if you're not expecting a call and a fishy message is left, don't respond or call back ever. When you answer and even just say "hello" and then hang up, they then know they have a valid number with a potential victim at the other end and they will continue to call you. Often they leave messages meant to scare you into calling back.
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My landline is old but I do have caller ID. If the number is not familiar I don't answer. If its a legit call, they will leave a message. Any any accents, its a scam. Actually, very rarely are these calls legit. Especially the robo ones. They scan through numbers hoping they find a good one. Thats why having an unlisted number doesn't keep you from getting these calls,

My cell I have set up on "Do not Disturb". On my Samsung this is the only way I can get where only those people on my contact list ring thru all others go to VM where I delete them. Most just hang up one a recording starts. My LG had a special place for this. If you continue to get calls from the same number, block them.

If not sure about a call or an email, hang up and call the company directly.
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The FTC just published this yesterday:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/01/scammers-cash-covid-19-vaccination-confusion

One of the bullet items says "Don’t pay to sign up for the vaccine. Anyone who asks for a payment to put you on a list, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line is a scammer."
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The one that grates me is the one that starts: "Hello, Grandpa!", which, for some reason seems so heartless in its con of old people with memory problems. I usually end up giving the phone scammers a piece of my mind, telling them they should be ashamed. I know you're not supposed to say anything, just let the police know this is happening
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disgustedtoo Jan 2021
PD really can't help - one of my responses to an earlier comment has a number of links where you can report calls. Sadly, very often the Caller ID number is spoofed, belonging to a legit person. If there is a message with a call back number provided, report THAT phone number.

IF it's a cell phone, there are ways to report and/or block these numbers.

Generally I do not answer ANY calls if they are not in my contact list and/or I'm not expecting a call back from someone who might not be in my contact list. A few times my phone was being stupid, not dismissing the call and I was rather busy, so it annoyed me enough that I ended up answering it, but not with any nice greeting.... :-o just a few repeated choice words and THEN hung up.
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Yep scam
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Scam bc you hesitating wouldn't make the person hang up. Thats scary they want to come to your home. Yikes! I'd call the police on their local number, not 911 and tell them. They put that info on their website. You can also put that info on nextdoor too. Get the word out. Good for you, you didn't fall for it!
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Scam. Right now, there are no vaccine distribution models that are giving the vaccines in home.
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I agree with the others that it’s a scam. I work in insurance with Medicare plans and I know that your insurance company or Medicare directly will not call you regarding this. Call your local health dept and follow the guidelines in your state for vaccine.
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Scam!!

If you still have the phone number in your caller ID, you should report it to the police!
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It is a scam. Unfortunately the police won't do anything about it. I have tried several times to report scam calls. I have gotten them where the caller ID said it was the school district and even the state of De. I called the state number back one time, the phone actually belonged to a state employee. They were not very happy when I explained why I was calling and going to look into it.
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wolflover451 Jan 2021
that's call pshing (on spelling). I worked for FCC and there are all kind of scams......the main ones are where they use someone elses phone number to call you that way its harder to trace back to them.  smart little scammers........I even asked one day how many people they scammed........they hung up.  they are just hoping to get an older person to get personal information.
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Scam!
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there are a lot of scams going around. call your doctors office and find out if there is a sign up at there office, if so, do it and disregard the phone calls.  I have not had anyone call me about the shot yet, and if you start asking them questions about where they are calling from, they more than likely will hang up.  Again, call your doctors office to find out if they have a sign up OR maybe even the office of aging in your area might have some ideas, pharmacies might also give you some info.  good luck
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disgustedtoo Jan 2021
News shows I am in the current "group" that is eligible, but you have to sign up through the available tools to get appt and go to the locations they are being administered. I do not think doc offices are offering these at this point. At least one vaccine has to be kept at such a cold temp, most doc offices wouldn't be able to accommodate that.

I'm in no rush. I've read about people with serious allergic reactions, so my preference at this time is sign me up for the best antibody test to see if I've been exposed. Doesn't negate wearing a mask, etc, but I would skip the vaccination.

For the record, I'm not anti-vaccine, but the last major sting I had, it took about 2 weeks for the all over hives to kick in (large welt remained there the whole time and beyond the hives. Allergist poo-pooed the idea, until they tested me.)

Just staying for a little while after the shot doesn't comfort me. If I had a delayed reaction later, I have no one to help me!
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just a note for everyone..............when they ask you a question.........NEVER SAY YES..........they can use that and tape it to something else............I always say, this is the person you called......or how can I help you..........or interesting......sooner or later they will hang up.
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It's unlikely that your doctor's office will have any vaccine, so that's a red flag right there. You might get a call if you have pre-registered and are on a waiting list and have asked to be contacted by phone. If it was a cold call, you are right to be suspicious.
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Scam. I recieved a call similar. Called Medicare. They said they will never call you for anything.
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disgustedtoo Jan 2021
Medicare, SS, IRS, etc will NOT call you, unless you called and requested a call back. Most fed agencies will work like this.

ANY time you get a call and they ask for ANY personal info (SS#, Medicare #, account numbers, DOB, mother's maiden name, birthplace, whatever), something only those you know personally might have any need for (mostly not), clam up or give them SS# 800-46-3968
(800-GO-FYOU!)

If they leave a message with a call back number and you do any kind of business with the "supposed" caller, look up the actual number and call them, as JulianaMoon did. Many will attempt to "spoof" your bank or CC companies, phishing for information. DENY THEM!

(one of my replies to another comment has links for reporting - only report the numbers the person or message provides, as the Caller ID # is probably fake/spoofed.)
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SCAM
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on a broader note, I tell my elderly mom not to answer any phone call from a number she does not recognize. If it really is important, they will leave a message. Even then this party could have left a message but scammers usually dont, and even if they did they would not get any response from you which is what they are looking for.
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I get calls from people three or four times a day ever day people say they are from Medicare or social security . Wanting to sign me up for it or telling me that I can do something I tell them I been on disability for 20years and hang up on them . So my advice to you is that you know that they don't call you with out sending you a letter in the mail first. If someone calls you again just hang up on them.
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disgustedtoo Jan 2021
Better yet, don't even answer it.

Many years ago, before Caller ID and messaging, my son messed with a caller trying to sell newspaper - he told them he was blind...

I do feel bad for those who had legit jobs to call, like this paper caller, but it became such a problem, that it was easier to react nasty to them than just say no, esp when those you say no to nicely continue to push. What part of NO THANKS don't you understand!!!

Thanks to Caller ID being more or less universal (older phones won't have the features needed), better screening tools forced onto providers, etc, it's easier to just ignore calls. For me, not in my contact list, BEGONE call! I dismiss it.
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My mother's income puts her well below the poverty line and she is 96. She gets a lot of mail and phone calls about programs that may benefit her. Some are real, some scams, it is just about impossible to tell. In general, whenever anyone contacts my mother about something that is unexpected, she hangs up or puts the mail aside. When one of my sisters or I next go to her house (usually the next day or same day) we get information about the supposed source. Then we call the organization by a phone number in the phone book, an online source, or a recent bill. We ask for information about the supposed offer. Sometimes we are transferred a few times, but when we get to the right person we know for sure if there is a valid offer or a scam. The real offers very rarely come by phone. However, in the case of the availability of a vaccine it is possible that her doctor's office would call her. In that case they would identify themselves and name her doctor. Even then, Mom would have one of us check it out.

She does not have caller id or voice mail. We have tried it, but the technology is too new for her. When she could learn things more easily she did not want these as "too complicated" now she finds it too difficult to learn new things. We sisters think that we are lucky that her natural skepticism keeps her from falling prey to the various scams out there.
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disgustedtoo Jan 2021
"However, in the case of the availability of a vaccine it is possible that her doctor's office would call her."

It isn't likely this will happen. At least one vaccine has to be kept at such an extremely cold temperature that doc offices wouldn't have the capability. Home visits even less likely. The easiest way for gov't to get vaccines to more people is at concentrated sites.

Doc office *might* contact you if 1) you're eligible and 2) they are having a site set up near you. Otherwise, the state is likely your best source for times/locations and tools to sign up.

"In that case they would identify themselves and name her doctor." - yes, they would identify themselves, but see above.

"We sisters think that we are lucky that her natural skepticism keeps her from falling prey to the various scams out there."

This works... until it doesn't. My mother was still fairly skeptical, but then again in the last few years she lived in her own place her hearing was bad, she'd misplace the hearing aid or forget to put batteries in, so many times she would just miss the calls! I wouldn't rely totally on her being skeptical.
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Medicare has NO means of making outgoing calls. This is a scammer. People can only CALL INTO MEDICARE - they are NOT able to call people outside.
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disgustedtoo Jan 2021
NOT. If you contact them and ask for a call back, they WILL call you. The SS/Medicare systems have similar tools to allow you to leave a call back number, for times when they are busy and you don't want to wait on hold. There might also be times that you contact them and they don't have the answer you need right away, so they *could* call you back sometime later with the info.

What they WON'T do is initiate any discussion by phone. If you haven't contacted them first and the call claims to be from them, it isn't.
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