Updated May 13, 2019

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is warning people in Giles County and surrounding areas about a scam representing  genetic testing.

People claiming to represent a genetic testing firm are visiting senior living communities, assisted living facilities and senior centers to collect genetic material in order to screen for cancer or other life threatening diseases.

According to reports these people are reportedly acquiring consumers' sensitive personal information under the guise of DNA testing and should be avoided. The scam victims are sometime under the impression that the cost of testing would be covered by Medicare.

CMS officials urge Medicare recipients to report concerns about suspicious activity call 1-800-MEDICARE.