Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels is warning area senior citizens that an apparent scam is operating in Fort Bend County under the guise of a survey about home-delivered meals.
Meals on Wheels said it has received numerous calls that senior citizens are being contacted by phone and by home visits soliciting their opinion about their home delivered meals.
However, the conversation quickly moves to a request for personal information from the senior.
Meals on Wheels CEO Manuela Arroyos said her agency is not conducting the survey.
“This (scam) reportedly includes the inquirer asking for social security numbers and Medicare numbers. The senior citizen is also offered senior services such as provider care and home making services,” Arroyos said. “This is not Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels. This group is misrepresenting themselves.”
Arroyos said only two representatives from Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels ever visit senior citizens, and then only for official assessment purposes.
“These (two people) are Barbara Armstead and Cynthia Spadoni. Both of these Fort Bend Senior Meals on Wheels employees are qualified case managers, carry agency identification and have business cards representing this agency,” Arroyos explained.
Additionally, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels does not request social security numbers, Medicare numbers, Medicaid numbers or any other personal information.
Arroyos recommended that any senior receiving any such inquiry or survey not divulge any personal information. She also suggested they immediately contact Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels to report the incident, as well as a law enforcement agency to report the attempted scam.
The Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels phone numbers are 281-633-7049 or 1-800-643-9654.
