Report scams on the elderly

To the Editor:

This letter is about scams directed towards older population. It was from a company called, “Exact Sciences Corporation” out of Madison, Wis. In it was a few items for “Colonguard.”

The official looking directions ask to me to immediately give a stool sample and return to Exact Sciences within 24 hours for testing for cancer. But, I had not ordered any testing.

So I called the Colonguard 800 number. I asked what doctor ordered the test.

“No problem sir. I just need your name and birthday.” I said no, told them this is a scam and hung up.

At the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website were complaints from people that had received the box, sent it in, and were stuck for a $687 bill not paid by their insurance company. Many people on the BBB site complained that they, too, received a box of from “Colonguard” but had not ordered it.

This is a scam directed at older people. This scam is against federal law (see: Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994). The scam works on older people, because: 1) The scam scares them (cancer?). 2) Looks official. 3) Puts people under pressure to respond quickly. 4) Older people have some memory loss (maybe I did order this test?). So, do not send this test in to their company. Call your doctor and report this scam. Call the Better Business Bureau.

Thanks for your time,

Peter Engstrom

Fairmont