Online Safety

Avoiding Health Care Fraud

Source: National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association

Description:

Founded in 1985 by several private health insurers and federal and state government officials, the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association is the leading national organization focused exclusively on the fight against health care fraud. Their website offers information for consumers and providers.


Bureau of Consumer Protection

Source: Federal Trade Commission

Description:

Website offers a wide variety of information to help consumers avoid and report fraud and deception.


Consumer Sentinel

Source: U.S. Federal Trade Commission

Description:

Get the facts on consumer frauds from Internet cons, prize promotions, work-at-home schemes, and telemarketing scams to identity theft--and report fraud complaints so they can be shared with law enforcement.


Fighting Back Against Identity Theft

Source: Federal Trade Commission

Description:

Consumer information about deterring, detecting and defending against identity theft


How to Search the Web for Trustworthy Healthcare Information

Description:

Suggestions and links from SeniorNet; includes information about avoiding fraud.


How to Spot Health Fraud (Video)

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Description:

Video helps consumers discriminate between legitimate healthcare practices and fraudulent practices and products.


Microsoft Security at Home

Source: Microsoft Corporation

Description:

Resources for PC users to help avoid identity theft, viruses, spyware, "phishing" and more.


OnGuard Online

Source: U.S. Government

Description:

Website developed by a consortium of government agencies (including the Federal Trade Commission, Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service). The site includes easy-to-understand information about safe auctions, phishing, spyware, etc.


Online Health Information: Can You Trust It?

Source: National Institute on Aging

Description:

"Age Page" discusses how to evaluate the reliability of a healthcare-related website


Prevent Medical Identity Theft

Source: World Privacy Forum

Description:

Tips for preventing medical identity theft, including a detailed tutorial on what consumers should do if they suspect they have been victimized.


Senior Investor Resource Center

Source: North American Securities Administrators Association

Description:

Resources to protect seniors from investment fraud


Senior Medicare Patrol

Description:

Government-funded project involves professionals and senior volunteers to fight fraud, abuse and error in the Medicare and Medicaid programs


The Secrets of Social Networking

Source: AARP

Description:

Information on seniors using Twitter, Facebook, online communities and other computer-based social interaction