Have you received a call from American Income Life and are wondering if they’re trying to scam you?  This call is actually real!
 
In mid-2017, American Income Life, with WPEA’s consent, sent mailers to WPEA members telling them about a $2,500 Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy they were offering.  If members didn’t respond to the first mailing, a second mailing was sent.  The AD&D Policy is available to any member’s estate; however, if the member wants to designate a beneficiary, that’s when AIL gets involved.  When a member fills out and returns a card, requesting to designate a beneficiary, an AIL representative will contact that member so they can meet to sign the beneficiary papers.  The reason that there must be a personal contact is so AIL can be certain that the member is who they claim to be.
 
What’s been happening is that since such a long time has passed between the signing of the card and getting contacted by AIL, members forget that they’ve signed the card and provided AIL with personal information like birthdates and names of beneficiaries and cell phone numbers.  So, when a call is received, out of the blue, they’re confused.  Rest assured, these calls are legitimate, sometimes though they don’t sound like they are and because the AIL agents don’t take the time to explain what has initiated the call, members get upset.
 
The AIL Agent is contacting you to set up an appointment for you to sign off on the beneficiary portion of the benefit (and they may try to sell you more insurance because after all, they are insurance agents).  Please remember that if you don’t want to meet with an AIL representative, you will still be eligible for the benefit, but the funds would go to your estate in the event of your accidental death.  If you still want to designate a beneficiary, you will need to meet with them, but you don’t have to meet at your home – feel free to pick a public spot like a library or a police station or a Starbucks, anywhere you feel safe and comfortable – and remember, you never have to purchase more insurance.
 
I hope I’ve explained this well enough that you understand.  If not, give me a call at (360) 943-1121 x100 and we can speak on it further.
 
Again, thank you for being leery of their approach, which can be a tad bit pushy.  And, rest assured that WPEA has not, nor would we ever, release any personal information of yours to anyone.
 
 
Fawn Hacker
Membership Coordinator
WPEA/UFCW Local 365

Check out this great video from our neighbors to the north!