Be aware: the "Benefit Information" mailer disguised as a government program is a scam.

Well, maybe not a scam, but the business sending them appears to have questionable business practices, in my opinion.

These mailers have been making their rounds for the past few years, but it's a good idea to remind people that they aren't what they appear to be.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE"

When you get one of these mailers in the mail (they come via United States Postal Service), they certainly do appear to be fashioned to look like something from the U.S. Government. Mail from the Internal Revenue Service arrives in a similar envelope.

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WHAT'S INSIDE?

Once you open the envelope, the insert appears to be fashioned to look like a tax document.

Do you see the "2021" in the top right corner? And the "LA" in the top left? Even the font is reminiscent of what the Internal Revenue Services in their correspondence.

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There were a few things that helped me realize that this wasn't an official government document. First, the return envelope is marked clearly on the front with "BUSINESS REPLY MAIL".

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Also, the front of the exterior envelope has more printing than most government mail I receive. In addition to that, some of the messaging on the front of the exterior envelope fits the classic scammer's modus operandi: "Time Dated Material"; "Correspondence Intended for Delivery to Addressee Only"; "Confidential"; and "Response Requested". These are the typical "hurry hurry this is important stuff" buzzwords that are used to make unsuspecting victims believe that they must hurry to return the contents because this is important stuff. DON'T DO IT!

SO, IS IT A SCAM?

Well, it appears that "Senior Life Insurance Company" is a legitimate business. Sending out these mailers isn't against the law. Crafting the mailers to mimic government documents isn't against the law. Printing the messaging on the mailers to mimic "government speak" isn't against the law. Targeting the elderly with these mailers (the easiest prey) isn't against the law. It's not a scam, it's just shady.

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

I searched for "Senior Life Insurance Company" on the Better Business Bureau's website and, yes, they are a real business, but: guess what? They are not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Think about that: an insurance company NOT accredited by the BBB.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Well, I can't tell you to NOT use the company. If you want to trust an insurance company that's not accredited by the BBB, you have every right to do that. You may even get exceptional service from that company. but before you decide to do it, read a few of the complaints that have been filed against said company.

FINAL WORD

Word to the wise: if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, don't follow it too closely or you'll wind up stepping in something.

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