Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is now underway, making it essential to stay alert for scammers looking to steal your money and personal information. Here are some tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help you stay alert to potential red flags.
What to Look Out For
Impersonators may try to convince you that they need your Medicare, bank account or credit card number to issue your “new” Medicare card. Remember, Medicare sends cards automatically and at no cost to you.
Another common scam is when someone says they need your Medicare number for a “medical equipment claim”. If you do not recognize this claim, it is most likely an impersonator trying to use your Medicare number to file for a fraudulent claim.
What Not to Do
- Never give personal information to someone claiming to be from Medicare.
- Never provide your Medicare, Social Security or bank account numbers to some contacting you via phone call, email, text or social media.
- Do not trust your caller ID as it can be fake. If you think the call may be from a real Medicare representative, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to check.
How to Report Scammers
If you or some you know may be facing a Medicare scam or impersonator, call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it immediately. You can also reach out to your local Senior Medicare Patrol for help with preventing, detecting and reporting Medicare fraud, errors and abuse.
