If you receive a Medicare scam call, hang up. Speaking to the Medicare phone scammers, even to tell them off, can encourage more scammers to call your number. If calls persist, consider discussing certain scam blocking features with your phone company.
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.
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.
What is a telephone solicitation?
A telephone solicitation is a telephone call that acts as an advertisement. However, some phone solicitations are permissible under FCC rules, including: calls or messages placed with your express prior permission, by or on behalf of a tax-exempt non-profit organization, or from a person or organization.
Are phone solicitations targeting Medicare beneficiaries a growing problem?
A recent report in The Roanoke Times highlighted a growing vulnerability in the Medicare system – suspicious phone solicitations targeting potential beneficiaries as they prepare to sign up for Medicare. [1]
Why do I keep getting calls for 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 solicit over the phone?
Remember that Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home. 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.
How do I stop getting calls from senior benefits?
To register for this free service, call 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number you wish to register. You can also register online at www.donotcall.gov. Keep in mind that this registration does not expire, so there is no need to ever re-register.
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.On 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 block unwanted calls on my cell phone?
You can register your numbers on the national Do Not Call list at no cost by calling 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY). You must call from the phone number you wish to register. You can also register at add your personal wireless phone number to the national Do-Not-Call list donotcall.gov.
Why am I getting so many calls about senior benefits?
Medical Alert Robocalls Many adults know these calls are fake, but trusting seniors might not. These medical alert robocalls tell the senior they could get a personal medical alert system for free, says The Senior List.
What area codes should you not answer?
Unless you know that a call is legitimate, it's best to avoid calls from the following international area codes with a +1-country code:232: Sierra Leone.242: Bahamas.246: Barbados.284: British Virgin Islands.268: Antigua and Barbuda.345: Cayman Islands.441: Bermuda.473: Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.More items...•
Is there a do not call list for seniors?
Add your phone number for free by visiting donotcall.gov, or calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). If you register online, you will receive a confirmation email from donotcall.gov. You must click on the link in the email within 72 hours to complete your registration.
The Medicare open enrollment period tends to lead to an increase in scam calls
From October 15 to December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can renew their benefits and new insurance seekers are able to apply. They can also expect brochures, notices from Social Security, a “Medicare & You” handbook, or even an Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) depending on their enrollment status.
How Medicare sought to protect its beneficiaries
Historically, it has been incredibly easy to siphon information from vulnerable people over the phone, especially the elderly, due to the fact that people have grown accustomed to verifying their identity with their social security number.
How to protect yourself and those around you from malicious robocalls
Scammers know to target the elderly and vulnerable, never answer a number you don’t recognize. Smartphones can even alert you with a “ Scam Likely ” caller ID to help people remain protected (find out how to activate it here ).
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.
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.
National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry was created to stop sales calls from real companies. It’s free to register your home or mobile phone number.
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!
What is the purpose of Do Not Call?
Requiring plans to follow the federal “do not call” requirements and all other federal and state requirements for telemarketing, to protect beneficiaries from unwanted or improper calls from plans; and. Providing details on what types of promotional activities plans may employ.
Who can provide information about Medicare?
Many people with Medicare rely on their neighborhood pharmacists and other health care providers for information about their prescription drugs and coverage. Physicians, pharmacists and other health care professionals can provide objective information regarding specific plans, covered benefits, cost sharing, drugs on formularies ...
What is a Medicare file and use certification?
File and Use certification allows plans to submit and certify that certain types of materials meet CMS marketing guidelines. Medicare Advantage plans must provide this information to CMS at least five days before they begin to be used. Under the File and Use certification, plans may be able to use CMS-provided “model language” for certain marketing materials, as long as the model language is not modified. Activities such as advertising are included under File and Use Certification and provide assurances to beneficiaries that the information they receive is consistent across plans.
Why should a company not give out personal information to plan marketing representatives?
They should not give out personal information (e.g., Social Security Numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, etc.) to plan marketing representatives, because plans are not allowed to request such personal information in their marketing activities.
Can a provider steer a beneficiary to a plan?
But providers cannot steer beneficiaries to a plan to further their own financial interests. Providers may, however, help a beneficiary choose the plan that best meets their needs The guidance includes additional information regarding “Cans” and “Cannots” for providers that have contracted with PDPs.
Does Medicare Advantage have door to door sales?
Protecting beneficiaries’ rights and privacy. The marketing guidelines prohibit Medicare Advantage plans, PDPs or their representatives from making door-to-door sales calls or sending unsolicited e-mails. If plans use brokers or independent agents, those individuals must adhere to state licensing requirements.