Senior Citizens being targeted in Insurance Scam

NEWS RELEASE from Kentucky Office of Insurance provided on this blog by   Kentucky Health Insurance Agents at Triple B Insurance

CONSUMERS WARNED OF SCAMS ASKING FOR PERSONAL DATA

Agency advises consumers to hang up on suspicious callers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 16, 2008) – The Kentucky Office of Insurance (KOI) has received reports of several scams and is warning consumers to take extra precautions to protect financial information.

Consumer advocates, police departments and other agencies across the country are warning about a variety of scams coming from a Bismarck, N.D., telephone number - 701-221-2212.

A woman in Louisville told an investigator from KOI’s Consumer Protection and Education Division that she took a call from that number earlier this week. The caller, who identified himself as Sid Johnson, said Medicare was making some changes to its plan and he needed her bank account information to ensure that her Social Security check was properly deposited.

In an effort to prove the call was valid, the man said his Medicare ID # was MD10956J. The Louisville woman said the caller already had some information about her but was missing some key pieces, such as her age. She did not give him any information, hung up and called KOI.

Other scams associated with this number have included the promise of a rebate from the Internal Revenue Service or some other refund or check that can only be received by direct deposit.

Consumers should never give financial information over the phone, particularly if they did not initiate the call, said John Burkholder, KOI acting executive director.

Another scam report came from the Mt. Vernon police department. Several senior citizens in the area reported receiving an automated message that the consumer’s auto insurance was expiring and must be renewed by pressing “1.” When the consumer followed the directions, the next message asked for personal information. This call originated from 702-528-1131, a number in Las Vegas.

“If a call makes you suspicious or uncomfortable, hang up,” said Burkholder. “Government agencies, insurance companies and legitimate businesses would not ask consumers for information using these methods.”

The Office of Insurance is an agency of the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

####

Get Anthem Medicare Advantage Quote

Resources for Medicare and Kentucky Senior Citizens

Article provided courtesy of Triple B Insurance Kentucky Health Insurance.  Click for a Kentucky Medicare Supplement Quote.

Kentucky Child Safety Seat Check MAY 20 Somerset KY Pulaski County

Pulaski County Safe Kids Grand Opening Today 12 - 3 PM

If you live in Somerset, or are part of the "Ohio Navy", Check out the new Safe Kids Pulaski County chapter today. From Noon until three, the local GM dealership in conjunction with Safe Kids will be doing a Child Car Seat Event at 117 Washington Drive, which is of course the Walmart parking lot off of US 27.

Get Somerset Car Insurance KY Residents ONLY

Get Somerset Health Insurance Kentucky Residents ONLY

More about Safe Kids Programs Child Safety Seats and Highway Safety

Safe Kids USA Plans Nearly 500 Child Passenger Safety Events During May

Safe Kids Buckle Up Offers Families Hands-on Educational Activities to Increase Knowledge about Safety In and Around Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Safe Kids USA’s local coalitions will conduct nearly 500 child passenger safety events in locations across the country during the month of May. Events will be held in nearly all 50 states, at locations including Chevrolet and other GM dealerships, fire stations, hospitals, retail stores, and insurance offices.

More than 300 of the events will be traditional car seat check-up events, where parents and caregivers learn how to properly secure children in car seats, booster seats and seat belts. Coalitions will also be holding the Automotive Safety Patch program for Cub Scouts, a new element of Safe Kids Buckle Up that teaches families how to keep children safer in and around vehicles.

The program covers proper safety belt and booster seat use, teaching families not to leave their children unattended in a vehicle, safety in and around vehicles and how to contact OnStar in the event of an emergency. Certified child passenger safety technicians from the coalitions will also conduct educational workshops for dealership personnel.

“The Safe Kids Buckle Up program holds vehicle safety events for children and families throughout the year in all parts of the country,” said Torine Creppy, Safe Kids USA’s chief program officer and director of the Safe Kids Buckle Up program. “The sheer number of events scheduled for May shows the commitment of our Safe Kids coalitions and volunteers who dedicate themselves to assuring a safer ride for children across the country.”

Safe Kids Buckle Up is a national program developed by Safe Kids USA and sponsored by the General Motors Foundation and Chevrolet to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of protecting children in and around vehicles at all times. Since 1997, the program has inspected nearly one million car seats, donated approximately 365,000 seats to families in need and educated millions of adults and children through programs such as Spot the Tot and Never Leave Your Child Alone.

In addition, a fleet of more than 130 Mobile Car Seat Checkup Vans serves communities across the United States, more than 450 permanent child safety seat inspections stations are operated by Safe Kids coalitions, and program resources are used to advocate for upgraded child passenger laws in the states.

About Safe Kids Buckle Up

Safe Kids Buckle Up® is a national program developed by Safe Kids USA and sponsored by General Motors Foundation and Chevrolet to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of properly restraining children on every ride. Since 1997, the program has inspected nearly one million car seats; held approximately 45,000 car seat checkup events around the country; donated approximately 365,000 car seats to families in need and educated more than 13 million parents and caregivers. For more information visit: www.safekids.org.

About General Motors

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 274,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 35 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

SPOT THE TOTsm is a service mark of Primary Children’s Medical Center Foundation.

#######

Get Kentucky Auto Insurance Quote and Buy Online

Our Kentucky Insurance Agency became familiar with the Safe Kids program through our work with the local Kiwanis clubs. We encourage all parents to have their child's safety seats checked.

Louisville KY gets new Heart Doc

Internationally-known Cardiac Surgeon to Join Jewish Hospital and University of Louisville KY

Louisville, Ky. – Mark S. Slaughter, M.D. will join Jewish Hospital and the University of Louisville as Director of the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, effective August 1, 2008. The appointment at UofL is contingent upon approval from the University’s Board of Trustees.

Dr. Slaughter is director of the heart transplantation and mechanical assist device program at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois and holds appointments in the Department of Surgery and Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

A world-renowned expert in heart transplantation, ventricular assist devices and surgical management of heart failure, Dr. Slaughter earned his B.S. in civil engineering at Purdue University and his M.D. at Indiana University. He completed his residency in general surgery at Northwestern University and fellowship in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota. He is board certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, the American Board of Surgery and the National Board of Medical Examiners.

Dr. Slaughter’s research focuses on vascular assist devices and heart failure, with a strong track record of research funding over the last decade. He has participated in more than 35 clinical trials focused on innovations in cardiac surgery, vascular assist devices, treatments for congestive heart failure and related areas. He has given more than 65 invited lectures, published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters and presented more than 85 papers and abstracts at national and international conferences.

Slaughter succeeds Laman Gray, M.D., who is retiring as the Chief of the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery after a distinguished career to focus on his position as Medical Director of the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, a partnership between the University of Louisville and Jewish Hospital aimed at improving quality of life for patients with cardiovascular disease by building on the success of both organizations’ previous work with ventricular assist devices and artificial hearts.

“Dr. Slaughter is known around the world and brings to this community and our medical team tremendous experience in the field cardiac research,” said Bob Shircliff, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare CEO. “Dr. Gray has been a pioneer in innovative heart procedures, and we’re looking forward to continuing our work with him at the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute. I’m confident that Dr. Slaughter will provide us similar leadership in heart care and that he will help Jewish Hospital continue to be recognized among the top 50 hospitals in the U.S. in quality care in heart and heart surgery as reported by US News and World Report .”

“I have every expectation that Dr. Slaughter will provide the type of senior leadership that will take this program to new heights, building on the tradition of excellence established by Dr. Gray. He understands and is committed to our vision for outstanding education – particularly in our cardiothoracic residency program – groundbreaking research and compassionate, leading-edge patient care,” said Kelly McMasters, M.D., Ph.D., Sam and Lolita Weakley professor and Chairman of UofL’s Department of Surgery.

“Dr. Slaughter is an outstanding cardiac surgeon and will advance University of Louisville's and Jewish Hospital's cardiac surgery,” said Dr. Gray. “His expertise in mini invasive coronary artery and valve surgery will bring new expertise to the community. In addition, he is one of the outstanding surgeons in cardiac transplantation and circulatory support in this country.”

#########

Get Louisville Ky Insurance Quotes

Get Kentucky Health Insurance Quotes and purchase online from Kentucky health insurance agents.

Don't Stay In Car when Tornadoes are on the Way

Kentucky Tornado Safety

Growing up in Northern Kentucky, my high school usually conducted tornado safety drills a couple of times a year. Later, when I was a student at Lexington's UK, I worked for the Agricultural Weather Center. When tornadoes were near campus and everyone else was heading for cover, I was heading to the weather center to get the news online for our Kentucky farmers. I guess I am a storm junkie.

Nevertheless, I know if there are tornadoes and I am in a car it is best to take cover. Find a strong structure and get inside; do not stay in your car. A vehicle is no match for a tornado!

Read the Insurance Journal's Article on Tornados and Cars

Fema offers Tornado Safety tips at their site. If you are driving or a passenger in a car, do not try to outrun the storm. If you can get to a strong shelter quickly, do so. If you need to act immediately, get out of your car and into a ditch or depression. Get LOW, and cover your head with your hands. Do not get under a bridge. Watch out for flying debris, and be careful that the ditch you have chosen doesn't put you in a vulnerable position for storm flooding.

Get Kentucky Insurance Quotes

Joyce Pinson is a Kentucky Health Insurance agent. While Kentucky is perhaps less prone to tornadoes than the breadbasket states of Kansas and Oklahoma, it is important to be informed about tornado safety. Talk to your family about your tornado safety plans.

Pikeville KY State Trooper Crum KSP Trooper of Year 2007

Kentucky State Police Announce Trooper of the Year

Date of News Release: 05/08/2008 Kentucky State Police

(Frankfort, KY) - The Kentucky State Police named Pikeville, Ky.-resident Edward R. Crum "2007 Trooper of the Year" at a ceremony held today at the University Club in Louisville. Thirty-nine other troopers and four private citizens were also recognized for acts of meritorious service and achievement, valor, bravery, life-saving acts, professionalism and dedication to duty.

An 18-year veteran of the Kentucky State Police, Detective Crum is assigned to KSP Post 9 in Pikeville, which covers Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike counties.

Capt. Jeff Caudill, commander of Post 9, described Crum as "an aggressive investigator and one of the most highly skilled accident reconstructionists in the state."

In 2007, in addition to his normal investigative workload, Crum conducted 100 collision reconstructions, assisted other KSP troopers with 82 collision investigations and assisted other agencies with 55 collision investigations. He also completed 67 downloads from vehicle electronic control modules to assist in collision investigations. As a member of KSP's Accident Reconstruction Team, he was activated three times.

Crum was also the lead investigator in a series of armed robberies in his post area and his persistence resulted in arrests that are now awaiting prosecution.

A native of Elkhorn City, Ky., Crum is a 1983 graduate of Elkhorn City High School and a 1985 graduate of Mayo State Community College in Paintsville. He is the son of Jim and Brenda Crum of Pike County.

Twenty-one troopers were named Trooper of the Year at the post or branch level. They include:

• Trooper Thomas M. Clifton --Post 1-Mayfield


• Trooper Derek A. Smith--Post 2-Madisonville


• Detective Scott A. Skaggs --Post 3-Bowling Green



• Detective Jon Paul Taylor--Post 4-Elizabethtown


• Trooper Seth B. Willis--Post 5-Campbellsburg


• Trooper Christopher D. Steward--Post 6-Dry Ridge



• Trooper Robert R. Purdy--Post 7-Richmond


• Detective Christopher S. Fearin--Post 8-Morehead


• Detective Edward R. Crum--Post 9-Pikeville KY



• Trooper Walter S. Szczepan--Post 10-Harlan


• Detective Michael Bowling Jr.--Post 11-London


• Trooper First Class Ronald Turley--Post 12-Frankfort



• Trooper Charles J. King--Post 13-Hazard


• Trooper Craig Morella--Post 14-Ashland


• Trooper Fredrick R. Cornett--Post 15-Columbia



• Trooper Thomas M. Hampton, Jr.--Post 16-Henderson


• Trooper First Class Ricky Underwood--Special Operations


• Detective Marcus W. Hopkins--East Drug Enforcement



• Detective Timothy N. Simpson--West Drug Enforcement


• Trooper First Class Mack Rayburn--Administrative Division


• Detective Christopher L. Frazier--Technical Services Division

######

Get Kentucky Insurance

Louisville KY Insurance  Lexington KY Insurance  
Pikeville KY Insurance

Our Kentucky Insurance agency  congratulates all the above troopers on a job well done. We are especially pleased to congratulate Edward "Eddie" Crum, who lives and works in our hometown.Get Kentucky Insurance Quotes.

Kentucky Teen Highway Fatalities

Four Teens Among Traffic Fatalities Last Week (May 5 -11)

Date of News Release: 05/12/08 from Kentucky State Police

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Preliminary statistics* indicate that eleven people died in ten separate crashes on Kentucky's roadways from Monday, May 5 through Sunday, May 11, 2008.

Nine of the fatalities were traveling in motor vehicles and six of those victims were not wearing seat belts. One double-fatality crash occurred in Woodford county.

A motorcycle fatality occurred in Fayette county and the driver was not wearing a helmet. A pedestrian fatality was also reported in Fayette county.

Four teens were among the traffic fatalities this week and those collisions occurred in Grayson, Muhlenberg, Scott and Woodford counties.

Single-fatality crashes occurred in Grayson, Hardin, Muhlenberg, Perry, Pike, Scott, and Trigg counties.

Through May 11, preliminary statistics* indicate that 248 people have lost their lives on Kentucky roadways during 2008. This is 49 fewer than reported for this time period in 2007. Of the 203 motor vehicle fatalities, 134 victims were not wearing seat belts. Of the 18 motorcycle fatalities, twelve were not wearing helmets. Twenty-three pedestrians have been killed. Three fatalities involved ATV's and one involved a bicycle. A total of 46 fatalities have resulted from crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.

Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.

*These statistics are still preliminary as KSP waits for all local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to report any crashes and fatalities that may have occurred in their areas.

#####

Read and see video
Kentucky Teensurance
Kentucky Teen Insurance for
Kentucky Young Drivers

With graduation and prom season upon us, pay close attention when you are behind the wheel. Be sure it buckle-up and drive with caution. ClickKentucky Auto Insurance Quotes  from a Kentucky independent insurance agent.

Kentucky Young Drivers and Kentucky New Graduates

Across the Commonwealth, May is traditionally college graduation month. As new graduates enter the workforce, rent their first apartment, look for their first real job, consider employee benefits, and insure their first car their plate is pretty full. Graduation is a time of celebration; but the "real world" can be overwhelming.

A resource that might be helpful is Insure U-Get Smart About Insurance .  While not specific to Kentucky Insurance, the website by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is a good starting point for new Kentucky insurance consumers.

There are interactive quiz surveys and thought provoking articles. Of course, consulting a Kentucky Insurance agent can help guide new graduates through the process.

Have Kentucky Insurance Questions?
Get Kentucky Car Insurance Quotes

Charlie Pinson is a Kentucky Insurance agent and part-time Kentucky sportscaster. He is "The Voice of Pikeville College Bears" and is very involved with high school and college athletes. Charlie maintains a Kentucky sports blog focusing on student athletes. His Kentucky Insurance agency offers Kentucky car insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, and a variety of insurances for business professionals.