A scammer could say there is a balance on your Medicare card and request your credit card number. Clearly, this is a scam. Or, in some cases, the scammer could say they want to refund money back to you and need your bank information.
Full Answer
Is it a scam when you get a call from Medicare?
Medicare will never call you to update your information or give you a new ID card. If anyone calls to collect your information, don’t provide it to them. A phone call like this is a scam. What Can a Scammer do With Your Medicare Number?
What are the different types of Medicare scams?
Full List of Medicare Scams Below The range of schemes could be: Medicare scam calls, Medicare genetic testing, bogus medical alert systems, Medicare Advantage scam, fake medical alert devices, Medicare Coverage Helpline scam, and many other types of Medicare abuse.
How do I avoid a Medicare card scam?
To thwart a Medicare card scam, follow some basic precautions. An unexpected call from someone claiming to work for Medicare. Actual employees will never call you without being invited to do so — for example, if you left a message at Medicare’s customer service line (800-633-4227).
Can Medicare Advantage plans be a scam?
Senior citizens are subjected to Medicare scams all the time. Someone could defraud Medicare with your information or use your information to get treatment for themselves. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that has an annual cap on services, that could mean you are forced to pay more out of pocket.
Does Medicare call and ask for your Medicare number?
Medicare, or someone representing Medicare, will only call and ask for personal information in these 2 situations: A Medicare health or drug plan may call you if you're already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join can also call you.
Why am I getting so many spam calls about Medicare?
Medicare Robocalls Robocalls are a scammer tactic that can give voice messages to people through pre-recordings. Many cell phone carriers provide services that may alert you if a call is likely a spam call.
Does Medicare call you at home to verify information?
THE ANSWER. Yes, Medicare card replacement phone calls are a scam. Medicare will never contact anyone for their Medicare number or other personal information unless the beneficiary has given them permission in advance.
Does Medicare send emails?
Medicare does not contact consumers over the phone or email seeking to verify their identities or get credit card information.
What do you do if someone steals your Medicare number?
If you suspect Medicare fraud, do any of these: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Call the fraud hotline of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users can call 1-800-377-4950.
What phone number is 800 633 4227?
For questions about Medicare benefits, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit Medicare.gov. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
How do I verify a Medicare number?
Member Medicare ID access Members can check their Medicare ID number by signing into myMedicare.gov. If a member doesn't have a myMedicare.gov account yet, they can 'create an account' and follow the instructions. For questions, members can call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227 TTY 877-486-2048).
How do I report a phone number that keeps calling?
The FTC is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints. Report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry. Report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission. You can report either online or by phone at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322).
Does Medicare call about new card?
Medicare isn't issuing new cards and Medicare employees don't contact participants through unsolicited calls, emails, or visits. Medicare communicates with beneficiaries via mail. Scammers falsely allege Medicare is issuing new plastic or metal Medicare cards or black and white Covid-19 Medicare cards.
How to contact Medicare if your information has been compromised?
If you believe your personal information has been compromised, you can also reach out to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
What do scammers do with Social Security?
Scammers will often try to extract that information from you and will try to get you to provide your Social Security and Medicare numbers as well. Don't fall for it.
How to enroll in Medicare if you are new to the system?
If you are new to Medicare, your best bet is to go to the Medicare Plan Finder to make sure you are getting accurate information. This official government site lists details about all the approved Medicare plans. You can enroll through the site as well.
How to protect yourself from Medicare calls?
To protect yourself, verify the source of any calls you receive . It is best to tell the caller you will call Medicare or your health plan directly to address whatever issue they are raising . Hang up!
What is EOB in Medicare?
If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) monthly. These documents are not bills. They will list important information about any Medicare services you received during those time frames.
What is the number to call if your personal information is compromised?
If you believe your personal information has been compromised, you can also reach out to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) .
Can you change your Medicare plan?
Claims that a representative must come to your home to finalize your plan. To be clear, you can only change Medicare plans during certain enrollment periods. Part B premiums are fixed based on your income. Unless you qualify for a Medicare Savings Plan through Medicare, your Part B premium will not be decreased.
How to report Medicare scams?
If patients report any form of Medicare scam to you, kindly remind them: 1 Sioux Center Health or insurance representatives do not make unsolicited calls asking for your Medicare ID number, bank or credit card details, Social Security number, or other personal information. 2 The Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) do not call customers to update their information. They will never ask for your financial information.
How do Scammers Contact You?
Scammers may contact you using various means. More often than not, they use phone calls to carry out their scams. These dishonest persons call people claiming to be from Medicare. They request money and personal information. Medicare.gov advises that con artists may try to get your Medicare Number or other personal information. Once they access this data, they will steal your identity and engage in Medicare fraud. If you receive a call like this and the person asks you for your Social Security number or bank information to get your new card or new benefits, hang up right away. Scammers also use channels like US mail, email, fax, and door-to-door visits to commit fraudulent activities.
How to avoid Medicare scam?
To avoid this scam, keep records of dates when you receive health care services to compare against bills, save receipts or statements, and keep track of quarterly Medicare Summary Notices to make sure you actually got what Medicare paid for. When in doubt, contact the billing department where the services were received or your insurance provider to make sure the charges are valid.
What do scammers call Medicare?
Scam operators (many with foreign accents) call beneficiaries claiming to represent Medicare. They may say that new Medicare benefits cards are being issued and threaten to cancel Medicare coverage unless the beneficiary’s information is updated; claim they can improve benefits; “verify” your new Medicare card number to make sure you received your card; tell you to send in your old one, or claim they are selling Medicare policies. The caller might even ask for your information to send you a gift card. Sometimes, they’re selling phony products such as supplemental or prescription drug Medicare plans.
What is the purpose of Medicare scam calls?
The whole purpose of all of these calls is to obtain your personal information, whether that is your Medicare card number, your Social Security number, or banking information. Some of these scammers even have the technological ability to make the call appear on caller ID as if it is coming from an official place.
What is medical identity theft?
Medical identity theft is when someone steals or uses your personal information (like your name, Social Security Number, or Medicare Number) to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health insurers without your permission. This isn’t like the bank or your credit card where identity theft is usually covered.
What happens if you have a fraudulent Medicare account?
If Medicare suspects malicious activity with an account, the person with coverage could be held accountable and wind up spending thousands in legal fees to resolve the issue. Protect yourself and your loved ones from these Medicare scams.
Can you get counterfeit medical bills from a doctor?
You may receive counterfeit sales materials, offers for discounted prescription drug plans, or supplemental Medicare coverage, or bills from an unknown hospital, doctor, or medical supplier through the mail. The scammers know that many people will just pay the bills.
Does Medicare give free braces?
According to AARP, “Telemarketers call beneficiaries with offers of free state-of-the-art braces to relieve joint pain. Instead, consumers receive a package of the ordinary ankle or knee wraps (or nothing at all ), but Medicare gets a bill for thousands of dollars.”. If someone calls and says they’re from Medicare and offers you a “free” ...
What did the scammers do during the Medicare rollout?
During the rollout, scammers impersonating Medicare employees called many beneficiaries, telling them they needed to verify personal information or pay a processing fee to get their new card. Once the rollout was complete, the fraudsters switched gears, adopting variations on the con that claim you need to replace or upgrade your Medicare card.
Why don't you believe a Medicare caller is a Medicare employee?
Don’t believe a caller is a Medicare employee simply because he or she knows some information about you. Scammers will have done their homework.
Why did Medicare give out new cards?
En español | From April 2018 to January 2019, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent every Medicare beneficiary a new card designed to better protect against identity theft. Where the previous cards showed your Social Security number, the new cards utilize a unique, randomly assigned combination of numbers and letters called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). But the new approach hasn’t stopped criminals from targeting older Americans.
What is AARP fraud watch?
Whether you have been personally affected by scams or fraud or are interested in learning more, the AARP Fraud Watch Network advocates on your behalf and equips you with the knowledge you need to feel more informed and confidently spot and avoid scams.
How to destroy old Medicare card?
Do destroy your old Medicare card, if you haven’t already. Run it through a shredder, or cut it up with scissors (making sure to mutilate the part with your Social Security number).
Can someone threaten to cancel Medicare?
Someone threatens to cancel your Medicare coverage unless you provide personal information over the phone.
Can you share your Social Security number?
Don’t share your Medicare or Social Security number (or other personal information) with anyone who contacts you out of the blue by phone, text or email or shows up unannounced at your door.
What are some schemes that Medicare is using?
The range of schemes could be: Medicare scam calls, Medicare genetic testing, bogus medical alert systems, Medicare Advantage scam, fake medical alert devices, Medicare Coverage Helpline scam, and many other types of Medicare abuse.
Is free blood pressure a scam?
Beware of the Free Blood Pressure Scam, going around these days. It is also known as the Free Skin Cancer Screening Scam.
Is Bidencare a scam?
The Bidencare Health Email Scam takes advantage of people interested in getting the health insurance through the Bidencare enrollment.
What to do if you think Medicare is calling you?
If you think the call is from Medicare, hang up and call them back at the national number. Then, if it was one of them, they can help you. However, if Medicare isn’t attempting to reach you, then you avoid a spammer trying to steal your information. Telemarketing calls attempt to commit fraud and theft.
How to report a fraudulent call to Medicare?
How to Report a Medicare Call. You can report a fraudulent call from someone claiming they worked for Medicare by going to the FTC Complaint Assistant. You can help protect yourself from fraudulent activities by never offering credit card or personal information to anyone.
How long after you register for Do Not Call list can you get spam calls?
Also, register both your cell phone and home phone to put an end to the calls. If you find you’re still getting spam calls 31 days after you register with the Do Not Call list, file a complaint. If you have a smartphone, you can install a call blocker.
What to do if you get a call from someone who claims to be Medicare?
If you get calls from someone claiming to be Medicare, get a name and phone number, and call Medicare to make a report.
Why do scammers use phony caller IDs?
Scam calls will many times use phony caller IDs to hide their real location and make it look like they’re calling from a local number.
Do not call Medicare?
If you’re getting too many spam phone calls, you might want to get on the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call list. Medicare beneficiaries are likely to receive phone calls once they become eligible for Medicare.
Is Medicare a spam?
Spammers found a niche in claiming to be Medicare, so if you get a call from a person saying they’re with Medicare, you can guarantee it’s spam. You may also find that you’ll start getting spammy emails in your inbox – if it sounds suspicious, it more than likely is! Please do not reply to any emails seeking personal information, and be sure to report it as spam immediately. You should never share your Medicare Identifier or Social Security number with a stranger.
What to do if you are scammed?
What To Do if You Were Scammed. Find out what to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer, gave them some personal information , or if they have access to your phone or computer. If You Paid a Scammer. If You Gave a Scammer Your Personal Information. If a Scammer Has Access to Your Computer or Phone. Report a Scam to the FTC.
What to do if you give a scammer your information?
If You Gave a Scammer Your Personal Information. If a Scammer Has Access to Your Computer or Phone. Report a Scam to the FTC. Scammers can be very convincing. They call, email, and send us text messages trying to get our money or our sensitive personal information — like our Social Security number or account numbers.
What to do if you send money through a money transfer app?
Did you send money through a money transfer app? Report the fraudulent transaction to the company behind the money transfer app and ask if they can reverse the payment. If you linked the app to a credit card or debit card, report the fraud to your credit card company or bank. Ask if they can reverse the charge.
How to get money back from a fraudulent credit card?
Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card or debit card. Tell them it was a fraudulent charge. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.
How to intercept a package sent by USPS?
If you sent it by U.S. mail, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 and ask them to intercept the package. To learn more about this process, visit USPS Package Intercept: The Basics.
How to check what is going on in your state?
You can check out what is going on in your state or metro area by visiting ftc.gov/exploredata.
How to take back control of your phone number?
Contact your service provider to take back control of your phone number. Once you do, change your account password. Also check your credit card, bank, and other financial accounts for unauthorized charges or changes. If you see any, report them to the company or institution.