Mar 31, 2009 6:10 am US/Eastern
Economical Choice: Botox Bandits Stiffing Doctors
N.J. Doc Latest Victim In Alarming Trend Of Women Skipping Out Without Paying After Getting Injections
Medical Epidemic Raging From Sea To Shining Sea
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Doctors are getting stiffed across the country by the economy -- not because patients are staying away, but because they are coming in for Botox procedures and then skipping out on the bill.
CBS
In these tough economic times women are still fighting wrinkles with pricey beauty treatments.
Some just aren't paying for them.
Authorities say it's the ultimate about face.
"[It] may be someone who has been able to receive these treatments before or have medical coverage that would cover a certain medical procedure," a law enforcement official said.
But now can't afford it.
"With the economy slumping the way it is it is possible that she's going out here and trying to obtain these for free now," the official said.
Women are targeting dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons -- showing up for thousands of dollars worth of Botox and other beauty treatments and then bolting without paying the bills.
"In our case it was someone who went to the desk and said 'Oh, I left my checkbook in the car and I'll be right back,'" said Dr. Susan Tanne of Livingston, N.J.
Tanne said a new patient recently stiffed her for more than $1,000 worth of Botox and facial fillers, offering lots of excuses why she didn't pay.
"Her husband would drop off the check, and then it was that our building wasn't open when they came and then the phone didn't get picked up and then letters were not accepted," Dr. Tanne said.
Jon Grazer, a doctor from Newport Beach, Calif., said he, too, was also taken by a Botox bandit.
"I did Juvaderm, one CC at $750 in her eyes -- two times, $650 around her mouth," Grazer said.
All across the country -- from Florida and Arizona to Texas and Nevada -- the headlines tell the tale of women sneaking out the side door after getting shot up. Now police are using the patients' before and after photos -- even DNA from used syringes and gauze -- to catch the thieves.
Tanne eventually received payment and is now asking new patients for money up front or a credit card to hold for security.
"That product costs us quite a bit and they've walked out with our product in their face," she said.
And because of the high value of these injections, sometimes costing several thousand dollars, some of these women are being charged with grand theft.
Another tactic Botox bandits employ is pretending to get an important cell phone call and then claiming to need to go outside for better reception.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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