Here are just a few things you can do to protect yourself from the teams of identity thieves out there: Shred your old Medicare ID card when you receive your new one. Always review your Medicare Summary Notices to ensure the services listed were obtained by you. Don’t share personal information over the phone unless you initiated the conversation.
Full Answer
How can I protect my Medicare card from identity theft?
In the meantime, here's what you can do to protect yourself, according to the Privacy Rights Clearing House, a national consumer resource on identity theft: Photocopy your Medicare card and cut it down to wallet size. Then remove or cut out the last four digits of the SSN and carry the remaining photocopy with you rather than the actual card.
What should I do with my Medicare card?
The most important thing you can do is guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card. Don’t give your Medicare card or Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it. Keep your Medicare Number to yourself.
What happens if you lose your Medicare card?
If our cards are lost or lifted, a criminal can use those numbers to get other personal information about us and commit identity theft — an especially vicious form of fraud that snared more than 11.6 million victims last year. Sign up for the AARP Health Newsletter. Don't fall victim to identity theft. Keep your Medicare card in a safe place.
What should you do if you have Medicare problems?
Use a calendar to record all of your doctors’ appointments and any tests you get. When you check your Medicare statements, look out for any items and services listed and other details that don’t look correct. If you see a charge or service that you think is incorrect and you know the provider, call their office and ask about it.
How do I replace my Medicare card?
Can I carry my Medicare card?
About this website
How do I protect my Medicare card?
You can buy a plastic ID card holder at a stationery store to protect your card. If your Medicare card gets lost or damaged, you can contact the Social Security Administration to replace it by going to the agency's website.
Can someone steal your identity with your Medicare card?
Medical identity theft happens 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. Medicare is working to find and prevent fraud and abuse.
Should a person carry their Medicare card with them?
Keep your Medicare Advantage Card: If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is your main card for Medicare – you should still keep and use it whenever you need care. However, you also may be asked to show your new Medicare card, so you should carry this card too.
What happens when someone gets your Medicare number?
Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via identitytheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will provide you with a recovery plan to help you move forward. Report the crime to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, if the identity theft occurred online.
Should I take a picture of my Medicare card?
You CAN use the image of the card as is for print materials only. This includes any plan or marketing materials. You CAN'T use the image of the card on your website, in videos, or anything else that's not considered a print product. You also can't alter the image in any way.
What can a scammer do with a Medicare number?
The scammer, usually associated with a telemarketing firm, will pitch fake benefit plans over a phone call. Typically, these plans will require you to disclose personal details to enroll. Once you share your information, the scammer may use it to steal your identity and bill Medicare for services you did not receive.
Will the new Medicare cards be plastic?
The short answer is no. Medicare is not replacing your paper card with a plastic chip card. Scammers tried this con a few years ago. They've apparently fired it up again, as a lot of viewers are telling us about getting this call.
Where should I keep my Medicare card?
If you don't want to carry the card with you when you're not going to the doctor, you should keep it in a safe place at home, such as a locked desk drawer or a fireproof safe. Be sure to put it back in the same place every time once you're done using it.
How do I replace my Medicare card?
If your Medicare card does happen to get lost or stolen, you can replace it by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213. You can also apply for a new card online at ssa.gov/medicarecard or go to your local Social Security office.
Can I carry my Medicare card?
For starters, AARP suggests that you simply don’t carry your Medicare card at all, because it’s not necessary. Most healthcare providers already have their patients in their electronic systems and know how to bill you.
How many social security numbers were unprotected in 2017?
The key to unlocking any and all of someone else’s personal information is their Social Security number. According to Experian, out of the 1,579 data breaches that happened in 2017, nearly 158 million Social Security numbers were unprotected. From the Social Security numbers and credit card numbers that were exposed because of these breaches, $905 million of losses were reported by consumers.
Is identity theft a threat?
Identity theft will always be a threat. However, there are steps we can take to prevent it and to keep our identities safe. Here are just a few things you can do to protect yourself from the teams of identity thieves out there:
How to fight Medicare fraud?
You can help fight Medicare fraud in 2 simple steps: Protect your Medicare number—treat it like you treat your credit card number. Check your Medicare statement for errors, like equipment or services you never got.
What is it called when someone steals your Social Security number?
When someone steals or unlawfully uses personal information like your Social Security number or your Medicare number, it’s called identity theft.
Is Medicare based on Social Security?
Right now, your Medicare number is based on a Social Security number—yours or someone else’s. Starting in April 2018, we’re replacing the Social Security-based Medicare number with a new Medicare number, and will mail you a new Medicare card with your new number.
How much would it cost to change Medicare cards?
The reason is that it would cost at least $800 million and take five years to issue new numbers and change the cards currently used by more than 47 million people with Medicare, Medicare officials testified at a House committee hearing on Aug.1.
Where do you show your Medicare card?
Beneficiaries need to show their Medicare card at the doctor's office and the hospital in order to have Medicare pay for treatment. Over the years, many consumer advocates, including AARP, have called for a new form of Medicare identification.
Do doctors have to update their records?
Also, doctors and other health care providers across the nation would have to update their records . Other government health systems — such as those run by Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense — have already begun using ID numbers that are different from SSNs, or they are in the process of changing.
Can Medicare follow suit?
But no one knows whether Medicare will follow suit. In the meantime, here's what you can do to protect yourself, according to the Privacy Rights Clearing House, a national consumer resource on identity theft: Photocopy your Medicare card and cut it down to wallet size.
How do I replace my Medicare card?
If your Medicare card does happen to get lost or stolen, you can replace it by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213. You can also apply for a new card online at ssa.gov/medicarecard or go to your local Social Security office.
Can I carry my Medicare card?
For starters, AARP suggests that you simply don’t carry your Medicare card at all, because it’s not necessary. Most healthcare providers already have their patients in their electronic systems and know how to bill you.
Identity Theft Is at An All-Time High
What This Means For Medicare Beneficiaries
- Identity thieves often target seniors for many reasons. One reason why the senior population is thought of as the perfect victim by identity thieves is that the era seniors grew up in was much different than the current era that we live in. Before the advent of the internet, they didn’t have to worry nearly as much about protecting their identity or even locking their front door for that matt…
What Is Medical Identity Theft?
- Medical identity theft is when someone steals your identity so that they can obtain medical services. This type of theft can easily be overlooked, especially if you receive a lot of services yourself. Experian stated that there were 300 medical breaches in 2017. Out of these breaches, nearly 5 million records were stolen. It can be extremely costly to recover from this type of theft. …
Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
- Identity theft will always be a threat. However, there are steps we can take to prevent it and to keep our identities safe. Here are just a few things you can do to protect yourself from the teams of identity thieves out there: 1. Shred your old Medicare ID card when you receive your new one. 2. Always review your Medicare Summary Notices to ensure...