Report Medicare imposters at 1-800-MEDICARE and ftc.gov/complaint. The more we hear from you, the more we can help fight scams. For more information about stopping imposter scams, visit ftc.gov/imposters.
What do I do if I get a Medicare scam call?
After receiving a Medicare scam phone call that asks for your Medicare number or other personal information, reach out to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — TTY: 1-877-486-2048.
How do I stop Medicare from calling me?
How to Stop Medicare Phone Calls First, you’ll want to be sure to add your telephone number to the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call List. To register, call from the phone which you want on the Do Not Call list. The phone number is 1-888-382-1222.
Are Medicare scam calls getting more aggressive?
While scam calls are nothing new, they are getting more aggressive and sophisticated. Medicare scam calls are one of the biggest perpetrators. According to CNBC, “Americans lost $29.8 billion to phone scams alone over the past year,” and that number doesn’t look like it will be any lower because Medicare open enrollment has just started.
How do I block Medicare spam calls?
If you have a smartphone, you can install a call blocker. You can choose to have any phone number not in your contact list go directly to voicemail. 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 its spam.
Why do I keep getting phone calls about Medicare?
Medicare will never call or come to your home uninvited to sell products or services. SSA representatives may call Medicare beneficiaries if they need more information to process applications for Social Security benefits or enrollment in certain Medicare Plans, but, again, this is rare.
Does Medicare ever contact you by phone?
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. A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you if you've called and left a message or a representative said that someone would call you back.
Why am I getting so many spam calls about Medicare?
Sometimes, they're selling phony products such as supplemental or prescription drug Medicare plans. 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.
What can a scammer do with your Medicare number?
In the unfortunate event that you fall victim to health care fraud, here's what scammers may do with your Medicare number:Identity theft or identity swapping.Double billing.Phantom billing.Upcoding.Unbundling.Bogus marketing.Impersonating a healthcare professional.Prescription forgery.More items...•
How do I block spam phone calls?
You can mark all calls from a number as spam to stop getting more calls from them and to report the spammer....Mark calls as spamOn your device, open the Phone app .At the bottom, tap Recents .Tap the call you want to report as spam.Tap Block or Report spam.
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).
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 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.
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 protect yourself from robocalls?
If this is your case, you might consider downloading an application to your cell phone that can help safeguard you from robocalls. When a robocall strikes your phone, be sure to never speak to them. By responding, you’re telling the spammers that your phone number is active. Immediately file a complaint with the FTC.
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 is the phone number for the Federal Trade Commission?
To register, call from the phone which you want on the Do Not Call list. The phone number is 1-888-382-1222.
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 a robocall the same as a doctor's appointment?
Not all robocalls are the same. Often, doctors’ offices will use a robocall to remind you of a doctor’s appointment. Keep this in mind when listening to a robocall. Not all robocalls are harmful, but about 40% of them are spam, and that’s why making reports is essential.
How do Medicare phone scams work?
Across the country, seniors may receive calls from scam operators who claim to represent Medicare or a different insurance provider. They usually claim that the senior’s Medicare card has expired, prompting the release of personal information like name, address, Medicare number, or Social Security number.
Should I give my Medicare number over the phone?
Because many Medicare recipients have received new Medicare cards since 2018, scam calls encouraging the “activation” of these cards are on the rise. You do not need to activate a Medicare card, update your information, or pay any kind of fee to use your new card once you receive it.
What can a scammer do with my Medicare number?
To help prevent against identity theft, Medicare has issued new cards to recipients that have your Medicare number instead of your Social Security number on the back.
Conclusion
It can be a scary world out there, but the best offense is a great defense. That’s why it’s so important to stay up to date on all things Medicare — you never know when it could save you big!
Aggressive or threatening tactics
Fraudulent sellers of Medicare plans may call many times throughout the day, leave numerous voice mails, or call you back even after you hang up.
Unsolicited phone calls
Medicare scammers may pretend to work for the government or claim to represent legitimate insurance companies. They can even change their caller identification information to make it look like they are calling from your local Medicare office.
Identity verification
Fake "identity verification" scams are an easy way for criminals to get your Social Security number, full name, home address, and other information that enables them to steal your identity. Sometimes they even ask for a credit card number for verification purposes, as a way to access your financial accounts.
Email solicitations
A few simple design tools can make an email look like it came from Medicare or an insurance provider. Scammers can even spoof Medicare email addresses, or redirect you to a web page that looks identical to the real Medicare page.
Mail solicitation
While some Medicare plans and service providers may contact you through the mail, many scammers also send fake plan documents. Rather than directly responding using the contact information listed in direct mailings, research plans on the Medicare page or on your preferred Medicare Advantage insurer's website.
Door-to-Door Sales
Insurance agents cannot show up at your house to sell you a plan without an appointment. This means that a door-to-door solicitor offering to sell you a plan is likely a scammer. Do not give them personal information or allow them into your home.
How to stop Medicare fraud?
To stop Medicare fraud, it helps to start with what representatives are NOT allowed to do. If you encounter someone who doesn’t follow the federal guidelines for Medicare health plans, you’ll know that you’re in the company of a fraudster. Agents and people representing Medicare plans can’t do the following: 1 Arrive at your home uninvited for the purpose of selling a Medicare plan or product 2 Enroll you in a plan if you didn’t request enrollment 3 Make you listen to a Medicare sales pitch in certain health care environments, such as an exam room or a pharmacy counter
How to report fraud to Medicare?
If you believe that you’re a victim of fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or report the case to the Office of the Inspector General. Make sure you have the following information on hand to report fraud: The date the service was provided or the item was supplied. The health care provider’s name and contact information.
What can't Medicare representatives do?
What Medicare Representatives Can’t Do. To stop Medicare fraud, it helps to start with what representatives are NOT allowed to do. If you encounter someone who doesn’t follow the federal guidelines for Medicare health plans, you’ll know that you’re in the company of a fraudster.
What to do if someone calls on behalf of a charity?
If someone calls “on behalf of” a charity, chances are they work for a for-profit telemarketing company. In that case, you can ask to be taken off their list and off the charity’s list. When someone calls, don’t confirm it’s you if they ask – simply ask them why they are calling. If a telemarketer does get you on the phone, ...
How to get on the Do Not Call list?
The first step is to get on the do not call list. To register for the Do Not Call list, call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to be added to the list. Or, you can register online at www.DONOTCALL.gov. To register online, you’ll need to enter an active email address.
Does Medicare call you asking for personal information?
Medicare will not call you asking for your personal information. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, it’s a spam caller. Similarly, your bank or other important accounts won’t contact you asking for your personal information. If you receive an email from your bank or Apple account (for example) asking for your information, these are spam emails. If you need to talk to your bank or Medicare, call their official phone numbers.
Can you press 1 on a robocall?
In these cases, just hang up. Another automated call function is when the robocall will ask you to press 1. Don’t do this as it will only confirm your identity and lead to more calls. Fraudsters can put fake numbers on your caller ID, so it’s hard to trust Caller ID anymore.
Can you give out credit card information over the phone?
The most important thing to remember is never to give out your personal or credit card information over the phone, especially to someone you don’t know. Also, the more people who have your information, the more people will call you.
Can you block spam calls on a cell phone?
On cell phones, you can easily block spam callers as well through the cell phone’s settings feature. If it’s debt collectors who are bothering you, learn more about stopping debt collector phone calls on the Federal Trade Commission’s FAQs on debt collection.
What is the best defense against scammers?
Blocking Unwanted Calls. Scammers can use the internet to make calls from all over the world. They don’t care if you’re on the National Do Not Call Registry. That’s why your best defense against unwanted calls is call blocking.
Is a robocall a scam?
Robocalls. If you answer the phone and hear a recorded message instead of a live person, it's a robocall. If you’re getting a lot of robocalls trying to sell you something, odds are the calls are illegal. Many are also probably scams. Read this article: Robocalls.
