Are doctors really
looking for your help?
What are you looking for
in a home-based business? One that
offers flexibility? One that gives you
the opportunity to make $20,000 to $50,000 per year using your very own
laptop? If this sounds rewarding,
medical billing just could be a viable option for you. Before making a commitment to invest, you
should know this: The United States Federal Trade Commission has brought
charges against numerous promoters and companies for misleading innocent people
with promising opportunities in medical billing. This organization will also attempt to
prosecute all entities failing to provide pre-investment details to their
clients.
Inside the medical billing scam
Advertisements for
medical billing opportunities are popping up all over the web, in classified
sections of the newspaper or free shopper's guides. Some of them even make their way into
employment guides beside commercial companies seeking applications. When coupled with genuine ads looking for
medical claim processors, these scams appear to be legitimate. This leads a job seeker to believe they are
applying for a real job, not leasing a business opportunity.
Like most scams, medical
billing ads lure consumers with the promise of making lots of money in short
period of time. Many are sold when they
found out that the business can be ran from home, on a part-time basis with
little to no experience required. Those
interested are instructed to dial a toll free number for more details.
When you make the call, a
sales representative explains the prosperous wonder of medical claims. He speaks highly of the business, praising
how lucrative it can be. He informs you
that doctors and facilities are in need of help to process electronic
claims. This mean that you, even with
not a lick of experience can prove beneficial to the cause.
The medical billing scam
may cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
In exchange for your investment, you are supposedly provided with all
the essential tools to launch your business.
This may include a computer application and a list of clients who have
taken partial interest. In reality, very
few people who invest in such medical billing opportunities ever find clients
or turn any profits. Competition is
rather fierce in the industry, especially for those walking in with no
experience. Doctors contracting staff
outside of their office typically use reputable firms, not people at home
looking to own a business.
Those promoting
fraudulent opportunities in medical billing have no interest in helping anyone;
all they want is your money. On many
occasions, the lists they provide originate from obsolete databases of doctors
who never asked for a medical billing service.
The software they deliver may or may not work. Many times, the program hasn't been properly
authorized and is otherwise deemed useless or unlawful. Trying to redeem a money back guarantee is
worthless. Though you may eventually be
reimbursed from a bank or credit card company, getting your money back from one
of these scam artists is nearly impossible.
Resolutions to the scam
If you suspect that you've
become a victim in a medical billing scheme, you should immediately try to
reason with the company and demand a 100% refund. Do not be afraid to the tell the
representative that you plan to notify law enforcement officials and above if
the matter isn't resolved. Be sure to
keep records of all conversations and correspondences.
If the dispute cannot be
resolved in that manner, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov Phone: (877) FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).
