USLI Policyholder Fraud/Scam Information
Law Enforcement agencies as well as the National Council on Aging have identified a significant increase in fraudulent activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic.1 Especially during difficult times, it is important for you to remember that financial scams and fraud can be committed by anyone, not just “organized criminals” like you may see in movies. Unfortunately, this activity can be even more prevalent where economic, societal or other hardships lead to desperation and “crimes of opportunity”. It can also take many forms.
As we all deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, many people may be using social media and other online tools more frequently. However, be careful about the information that you share online. Criminals often seek to commit fraud by piecing together information about the victim’s life from social media and other online outlets. This information may allow them to guess passwords, reset your passwords, or create fake online accounts in your name but with their address. Remember that even if you have strong privacy settings on your social media content, if one of your connection’s accounts is hacked, your information may be accessible to the criminal as well.
At Genworth, we have implemented technical, physical, and process safeguards to maintain the confidentiality of your information. Below are some areas where you can help protect yourself.
Genworth will not contact you via Social Media or ask you to verify personal or account information via unsolicited or unrequested e-mail, text message, or instant messaging apps unless you have enrolled in or requested e-mail confirmations in response to specific servicing requests.
Here are some tips to consider that will help reduce the chances of you being the victim of such fraud:
- While times may be trying, your health and safety are the most important thing. If a caregiver is not providing, or is not qualified to provide, the level of care that you need, do not be swayed by claims of economic hardship, etc. Watch out for caregivers who prey on your sympathy for continued employment during this health crisis.
- Review the claim documentation you receive from us regarding the benefits being utilized and payments being made. Ensure that no one is billing us directly for services that either never occurred or are inflated.
- Be wary of executing an assignment of benefits to individuals or agencies whom you do not know.
- Protect and don’t share your login credentials for Genworth online access.
- Use login credentials that cannot be easily guessed by scammers.
- If for any reason you are suspicious of a communication that claims to come from Genworth, please err on the side of caution and contact us right away using the contact information on Genworth.com. Use your common sense – if something doesn’t look legitimate, it probably isn’t.
- Please do not disclose any personal information and notify Genworth’s Fraud Department immediately via telephone at: 866.381.2906 if you notice anything suspicious regarding your Genworth account.
- Genworth wants you to receive the care you need. If you suffer an interruption in care due to the COVID-19 crisis, there are services that may be available to assist you in locating care services such as; https://www.caregiver.org, https://www.aarp.org, https://www.carescout.com.
Here are some additional “best practices” for you to employ in protecting the security of your personal, health and financial information during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Online offers for Coronavirus-related vaccines or cures—be careful, they probably aren’t legitimate.
- DO NOT click on links or download files from unexpected emails, even if the email address looks like a company or person you recognize. The same goes for text messages and unfamiliar websites.
- Be wary of fundraising calls or emails seeking money for COVID-19 victims or disease research. They may pressure you to act fast and request payment via prepaid debit cards or credit cards.
- Be suspicious of phone calls or emails from strangers urging you to invest in a hot new coronavirus stock.
- Use login credentials that cannot be easily guessed by scammers.
- Do not reuse login credentials; always set unique passwords for each online service you use.
If you would like additional information about fraud and scams related to COVID-19, the FBI’s website is a great place to start: https://www.fbi.gov/coronavirus.
Please click here to read more about Genworth’s Fraud and Information Protection Resources.