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When it comes to fraud, it’s all about remaining undetected. To stay under the radar for as long as possible, fraud schemes require a bit of creativity. One such scheme is the Foot Bath scam, in which drug suppliers are being reimbursed thousands of dollars for the equivalent of a $25 pedicure from the nail salon down the street.

The Foot Bath scam is currently targeting Medicare beneficiaries with various foot conditions including diabetic ulcers, bone infections, ingrown toenails, and cellulitis. Pharmacy owners and drug suppliers use telemarketing campaigns or online questionnaires to connect with these beneficiaries, who are rarely seeing a doctor in these scenarios. Once the drug supplier has enough medical and Medicare billing information, the beneficiaries are signed up for the foot bath service. They are prescribed a cocktail of expensive drugs including vancomycin, enconazole cream, and lidocaine that (without Medicare’s knowledge) they are instructed to mix into a foot bath. In most scenarios, the drugs are auto-shipped to them with no way to opt out. This service costs on average $8,000 per month.

Not only are these foot baths ineffective, but some of the medications aren’t even water soluble. On top of that, the foot baths are currently being condemned by Medicare for causing further infection and drug resistance.  Needless to say, these baths are not medically necessary and are not covered by Medicare.

While the baths are clearly useless, crooked doctors and pharmacists are continuing to prescribe them for the payout. Nathan Lucas, a podiatrist and pharmacy owner in Memphis, Tennessee was recently charged with health care fraud after submitting nearly $4 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and TennCare since 2018. If convicted, Nathan Lucas faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

Carey Williams, another podiatrist and pharmacy owner in Mississippi, has also recently been charged with prescribing expensive medications for use in a foot bath. In addition to running the foot bath scheme, Williams is also being accused of ordering unnecessary diagnostic testing on patients’ toe nails. Since 2016, Williams has submitted over $4.9 million in claims for the prescribed foot baths, as well as an additional $6.4 million in claims for the unnecessary diagnostic testing. Williams is facing decades of prison time due to the various counts of fraud he is accused of.  

Medicare fraud may impact more vulnerable groups in the population, but healthcare fraud can affect anyone and everyone. It is important to stay educated on how to detect, prevent and report fraud. After all, something as simple as a nice warm foot bath can be hiding millions of dollars of damage under the surface.

For a free consultation concerning Health Care Fraud, contact us today!

As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, we see progress in efficiency and success when it comes to getting the job done. This applies to almost all fields, including private investigation. Investigators who keep up with the latest technology close more cases, and close them faster. Whether you are a current investigator or just someone interested in learning about investigation technology, we’ve rounded up the best technology used by investigators everywhere.

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TRACKING SYSTEMS

Tracking systems are important when investigating a Subject whose daily whereabouts are of interest. Sometimes it isn’t always realistic to follow a Subject on foot or in a car. That’s where tracking systems can give you the data you need without the risk of being seen.

GPS Systems

Radio Frequency (RF) Signal Detector

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SURVEILLANCE TOOLS

Surveillance is a large part of the investigation process. It’s important that investigators have the best tools to retrieve the most important evidence for their case. When it comes to keeping a watchful eye on a Subject, a variety of camera options is always helpful.

Mini cameras

4. Mini cameras can be tucked away or placed in all sorts of everyday objects to remain out of sight. This is imperative when conducting a covert investigation. When an investigation calls for constant monitoring of an area, cameras like the YEEHAO HD 1080P Mini Hidden Camera can be placed in a concealed location to secretly capture footage.

5. Mini cameras can also be worn, like the classic Spycentre Security 2K Ultra Spy Pen Camera. The camera is hidden inside a pen that can be worn in a t-shirt pocket. Spycentre specializes in wearable hidden mini cameras with a range of products to choose from including glasses, key fobs, watches, and even shirt buttons.

Drones

6. When investigators are conducting a land survey or premise inspection. It is helpful to get different perspectives of a scene and drones can often identify hidden angles. In certain states, investigators also may use drones for Subject surveillance. In any case, drones can be loud and easily detectable. The Altair Outlaw GPS Drone is one of the quietest drones on the market. Not only is it more discreet, its GPS functionality allows it to return to you quickly as well as keep itself stable while flying. It is one of the best drones for investigators on the market.

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MOBILE DEVICE TOOLS

Nowadays, almost everyone owns a mobile device with mountains of personal information stored into it including messages, photos, and user data. All this information can serve as valuable evidence for an investigator and can aid in closing a case. Luckily there are products out there for investigators to retrieve all the data they need.

Phone Recovery Sticks

7. A phone recovery stick is able to plug in and retrieve data from almost any phone. Paraben’s iRecovery Stick is one of the most popular on the market. It can even recover deleted data that has not been overwritten. It’s small size and quick download times make it a perfect tool for investigators of all levels. It is used mostly for digital forensics by law enforcement and investigative professionals. While the iRecovery Stick is made for use with iPhones, Paraben has sticks for Android phones as well.

Spyware

8. Spyware is simply a software application that allows investigators access to device information and activity. Apps like mSpy, Hoverwatch and Spyera give the investigator access to contact lists, call logs, text messages, browser history, calendars, WiFi networks, notes apps and more.  Once the app is installed, it will collect information in real time.

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Nothing can compare to the skills and experience of a top-notch investigator, but technology is another important piece of the puzzle.  If you are looking for an investigator with all of the above, contact us today for a free consultation!

How the COVID Pandemic Created Opportunity for Fraudsters

Almost two years ago, the COVID 19 pandemic emerged, and the world entered an unprecedented and unpredictable era. We’ve gone from bustling cities to empty highways, from quarantining to safely gathering, and from hopeful optimism to discouraging realism. While our governments have been scrambling to dictate protocol in uncharted territory, fraudsters have seized new opportunities to cash in.

In November of 2021, a federal grand jury indicted an Arkansas man with health care fraud in a false billing scheme. Billy Joe Taylor owned and/or managed multiple diagnostic testing laboratories. The labs conducted multiple clinical services, including urine drug tests, respiratory illness tests, and COVID-19 tests. According to court documents, Taylor illegally obtained personal information of unknowing patients, and submitted more than $100 Million in false claims to Medicare. The claims were intended to pay for diagnostic tests that were never ordered nor conducted. He used his $100 Million in proceeds to purchase luxury cars, real estate, and other high-priced items. He is currently charged with 16 counts of health care fraud and has been taken into custody by U.S. Marshals.

When vaccinations became widely available in the spring of 2021, many public venues began requiring proof of vaccination to enter, in hopes that the vaccinated could safely gather. Unfortunately, Juli A. Mazi a homeopathic practitioner of Napa, California ignored science, and endangered the lives of hundreds of people. Mazi has been charged with providing patients with an unregulated “homeoprophylaxis immunization pellet”, along with a fake COVID-19 vaccination record card. She promised the pellet would develop COVID-19 antibodies. Some of the buyers included parents required to provide their children’s schools with vaccination proof. Mazi is currently awaiting trial.

Remote health services between patients and doctors have played a significant role in the last two years. Telehealth, or telemedicine, provided services to patients via phone or video calls during a time where many were not leaving their houses. The U.S. government created a temporary COVID-19 policy in which telehealth waivers were given to practitioners providing remote services to Medicare patients. While the waivers offered a safe way for patients and doctors to interact, Florida diagnostic lab owner Leonel Palatnik found a way to exploit this policy for his own gain. In September of 2021, he gave co-conspiring telehealth provider Michael Stein an opportunity to bill for patient consultations that never took place. In return, Stein authorized thousands of medically unnecessary genetic testing orders. Payments for these orders were sent to Palatnik. Together, Stein and Palatnik pulled in $73 million from the conspiracy. They are currently awaiting trial.

When it comes to fraud, pandemic-related cases have grown into a category of their own. On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the new COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task in order to combat and prevent this type of fraud. The Department of Justice and its partner agencies are working hard to hold hundreds of fraudsters accountable. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF).

For a free consultation concerning Health Care Fraud, contact us today!

Holiday shopping is starting earlier than ever this year due to shipping delays and a lack of inventory. While consumers are racing to purchase holiday gifts, it is important to watch out for signs of online shopping scams. It can be predicted that scams will be more prominent than ever with consumers desperate to receive their items in time for the holidays. Here are 6 tips to ensure a safe and secure online shopping experience.

1. Watch out for deep discounts.

Scammers are always on top of the latest trends and in-demand items. One way they lure shoppers into purchasing from them is by offering deep discounts on coveted items. If an item is priced significantly lower than on other reputable websites, chances are, the discounted item is a scam. Buyers will purchase the item and either receive something damaged, receive something completely different than advertised, or receive nothing at all.

2. Only use a credit card.

These days, many credit card companies provide built-in fraud protections as a safeguard for their customers. If a shopper falls for a scam, their credit card company will either be able to block the purchase or easily recover any money lost due to the fraud. Credit cards are also not directly linked to the user’s bank account, so it is more difficult for a scammer to access the full account information of the buyer. To ensure shoppers are alerted of any suspected scams on a credit card, it can be a good idea to turn on email or text notifications through the online settings.

3. Research any unknown websites.

Oftentimes, a savvy consumer will be able to tell the legitimacy of a company just by looking at their website. Are there misspellings anywhere on the site, including the URL? Does it have a company history page? Are the product photos generic stock photos that don’t show much detail? All of these questions can help shoppers decide whether to trust a seller or not. Also, many reputable sellers will include privacy & security policies on their websites. These policies outline what a consumer’s information is used for. Shoppers should read these policies thoroughly to ensure their information is safe. If a website does not have its policies listed, it is probably best to find another website.

4. Check reviews.

Any trustworthy company will have multiple reviews from real customers. The reviews can often be found on the website itself, or on other websites such as Google or Yelp. When reading reviews, pay attention to the ratio of five-star to one-star reviews. If there seems to be more negative than positive feedback on the product or seller, that should tell the shopper to search elsewhere. If a product or seller has zero reviews, it is also best to search elsewhere. Good reviews help assure the shopper that others have had positive experiences that can be trusted.

5. Always track the package delivery.

One step to ensure a purchase is indeed arriving safely is to ask for tracking information. If a seller is not willing to provide tracking information, there is no proof that a package was ever shipped. Scammers will often take the buyer’s money and never send anything out to them. A tracking number will provide the shopper assurance that they will be receiving a package by a specific date

6. Check out as a guest.

When making a purchase online, websites will often have you sign in, make an account, or check out as a guest. Creating an account and signing in will provide the website with far more information as opposed to checking out as a guest. Even the most trusted websites with these policies can be hacked, putting thousands of people’s personal information at risk of being accessed. Providing the least amount of information as possible keeps the consumer safe.

This holiday season, make sure to be vigilant while shopping online. Do your research. Trust your gut. Being aware can help you avoid being scammed. If you believe you are a victim of an online scam and want to investigate further, contact us for a free consultation today!

As the year comes to a close and the holidays are drawing near, it may come as a surprise that this can be a busy time of year for Private Investigators. From online shopping scams to locating loved ones, let’s break down some of the reasons why more businesses and individuals may be looking for a private investigator to meet their needs this holiday season.

Phishing & Online Fraud

More and more people are relying on the internet to do their holiday shopping. It’s convenient, it saves time, and it makes it easy for consumers to shop and compare a wide variety of products. While the internet hosts more consumers every year, it also hosts more scammers. Scam sites will often offer electronics, luxury items, and other high-priced goods at deep discounts. Consumers will pay for the product and never receive it.  A private Investigator is often hired to investigate these companies and to prove their illegitimacy.

Charity Scams

During the holiday season, many people often feel more charitable and are eager to help those in need. Unfortunately, scammers will take advantage of this spike in generosity by creating fake charities and asking the public for donations. The scams appear on social media, in emails, through a phone call, or even in person. Private detectives can help investigate these charities and identify their creators.

Seasonal Hiring

For many companies, the holiday season is the busiest time of the year. Consequently, seasonal employees are often hired to help fill in the gaps. Business owners are forced to hire a number of employees quickly, and many don’t have time to do personal background checks. To ensure they are hiring trustworthy people, owners will often rely on a private investigator to provide pre-employment screenings and background checks.

Locating Loved Ones

The holiday season is often met with nostalgia and reflection, and in turn can be a difficult time for those who are missing someone. Some are looking for an estranged loved one. Others are looking for a child they gave up for adoption or a biological parent who gave them up. From missed connections to actual missing persons, many are compelled to locate these people around the holidays. Private Investigators often receive an increase in these types of requests during this time of year.

Insurance Fraud & “Get Rich Quick” Schemes

Unfortunately, the holiday season often highlights economic hardships for those who are struggling. Many people feel pressured to be able to provide gifts to their loved ones, especially children. If there are financial blocks preventing them from being able to do so, some people will resort to “get rich quick” scams – workers compensation abuse, staged motor vehicle accidents, slip & fall scams and more. Defrauded insurance companies often rely on private detectives to investigate and surveil the claimants in order to prove the claims to be fraudulent.

Infidelity

According to some studies, the holiday season is a popular time for married people to join dating websites and apps. Data from the dating app Clover showed a 300% increase in new members during the month of December who claimed to already be in relationships. The holidays can be a stressful time, and cheaters could be looking for an escape. Many spouses suspecting their partner of cheating will hire personal investigators for surveillance.

This holiday season, our goal is to bring peace of mind to every one of our clients. If you are considering hiring a personal investigator, contact us for a free consultation today!