What do I do if I get a scam call about Medicare?
What can a scammer do with your Medicare number? If you get a call from people promising you things if you give them your Medicare Number — don't do it. This is a common Medicare scam. Refuse any offer of money or gifts for free medical care.
What are the most common Medicare scams?
Jul 07, 2021 · 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. From offers for free medical supplies and …
Is someone trying to get your Medicare number?
Apr 29, 2016 · Scammers inform you of a refund owed to you because of changes to Medicare or from private insurance companies. They may say the refund is part of a class action lawsuit. Naturally, the caller needs to know your Social Security Number and bank account information.
Why do I keep getting calls about my Medicare card?
Oct 18, 2018 · The scammers then request the cardholder’s credit card number. Other scams include calls saying there’s a balance on the current Medicare card. The callers will then say they want to refund the...
Can someone use your Medicare number?
Protect yourself from identity theft Here are some things to know about protecting your personal information: Don't share your Medicare Number or other personal information with anyone who contacts you by phone, email, or approaches you in person, unless you've given them permission in advance.
Can someone steal your identity with your Medicare card?
If you suspect a Medicare card scam, report it to Medicare at 800-633-4227. You can report identity theft, and get help with a recovery plan, at the Federal Trade Commission's IdentityTheft.gov site. You can also call the FTC at 877-438-4338.
What do scammers do with your Medicare information?
These callers claim that new Medicare, Social Security, or supplemental insurance benefits cards are being issued or that the beneficiary's file must be updated. The scam artist asks the citizen to verify or provide their personal banking information, which is then used to commit theft.
What happens if someone steals 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.Dec 9, 2021
What do you do if someone steals your Medicare number?
You can replace your Original Medicare card by calling 1-800-633-4227 or by logging into your mymedicare.gov account. If your red, white, and blue Original Medicare card is lost or stolen, or you can no longer use it because it is too faded or damaged, you can replace it by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227).
Why do scammers ask for my Medicare number?
Some scammers ask for your Medicare number so they can get Medicare to pay them for benefits you've never received or didn't need. While this doesn't take money directly out of your pocket, it does cause the government to spend more on your benefits, raising costs for everybody.
How to avoid Medicare fraud?
Help yourself and others avoid fraud in the future by reporting any scams that target you. File a complaint with the FTC to help them track Medicare fraud and scams.
What do imposters do to Medicare?
Imposters who threaten to take away your Medicare benefits typically ask for money to prevent a (false) negative consequence. They’re after your money and may ask you to pay them in untraceable methods such as a wire transfer or gift cards.
How many fraud reports were filed in 2019?
Over the first half of 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 1,476,512 reports of fraud, identity theft, and other related crimes. 1 Of those, 72,789 reports involved criminals posing as Social Security Administration (SSA) employees and 21,356 were about scammers posing as Medicare and other health officials. 2
Who is Kathryn from Baby Boomers?
Kathryn is a Medicare and geriatric specialist who has appeared on Baby Boomers, OppLoans, and Best Company. Her readers don’t need a degree in government-speak to get the right coverage because Kathryn sifts through Medicare’s parts, plans, and premiums to distill only the most useful information. Her favorite place in the world is a hammock that swings peacefully between two crabapple trees somewhere in New Mexico’s Gila National Forest.
What do criminals do with Medicare fraud?
In the case of Medicare fraud, they may pose as someone from Social Security or the Medicare program. Other scammers might pose as friends, relatives, law enforcement, or the IRS. Pretending they’re trustworthy helps criminals convince victims to let down their guard.
Does Medicare cover genetic testing?
Don’t be fooled. Medicare doesn’t market genetic testing. If you fall for this scam, it could eat away at your benefits and prevent Medicare from covering similar tests in the future. And if a doctor doesn't order the test as medically necessary, you could end up footing the bill yourself.
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 SMP in Medicare?
The SMP is a group of individuals dedicated to educating and empowering people with Medicare. The goal of the group is to help people take an active role in detecting and preventing healthcare fraud and abuse.
What are the different types of Medicare?
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program created for Americans who are 65 or older or who have specific disabilities that qualify them for coverage. There are four different parts to Medicare: 1 Part A - is for certain types of health care, including inpatient care, nursing homes, hospice, and home health care. 2 Part B - is for certain medical services, including outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventative treatments. 3 Part C - is a specialized Medicare plan offered via a private company that works with Medicare to provide Part A and B of Medicare coverage. 4 Part D - is for prescription drug coverage.
Does Medicare Part D affect Part A?
Medicare Part D, which covers prescriptions, is optional and doesn't affect your Part A and Part B coverage.
Is Medicare refund a scam?
Scammers inform you of a refund owed to you because of changes to Medicare or from private insurance companies. They may say the refund is part of a class action lawsuit. Naturally, the caller needs to know your Social Security Number and bank account information. This is a popular scam, and in a new twist the caller may relate it to the COVID-19 pandemic assistance CARES Act. In truth, no refunds or further financial assistance exist. Any monies owed to you from the government will be sent directly and will not ask for necessary “proof.”
Do Medicare cards expire?
The imposter asks for your Medicare or Social Security Number and other important information. There is no such thing as new Medicare cards. Cards never expire or are suspended for any reason. Additionally, Medicare representatives never ask for confirmation of information unless you initiate contact.
How to update address on Social Security?
If you need to update your address, visit the Social Security Administration website and create or log in to your account: www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. According to MedicareResources.org, 1 in 5 Florida residents have Medicare coverage.
How much money was stolen in 2016?
Stolen funds topped nearly $17 billion last year, an increase of 12 percent from 2016, reports Javelin Strategy & Research, a financial advisory firm. For the first time last year, more Social Security numbers were stolen than credit card numbers.
How do scammers get your phone number?
One of the most common ways scammers get your phone number is through the many data breaches and treasure troves of raw data found and sold on the dark web. Another way is by picking through your trash and grabbing an old bill with your phone number on it.
What is SIM swapping?
SIM swapping is another danger where nefarious criminals use SIM cards linked to your phone to steal access to your phone number and carrier account. This type of danger is very real and scary and usually involves social engineering to trick the phone company representative. By having your cell number, a scammer could trick caller ID systems and get into your financial accounts or call financial institutions that use your phone number to identify you.
Who is David Luki?
David Lukić is an information privacy, security and compliance consultant at idstrong.com. The passion to make cybersecurity accessible and interesting has led David to share all the knowledge he has.
Is SMS secure?
SMS Insecurity. A lot of apps are linked to your cell phone number also. Using two-factor authentication is great and keeps things safer, but if you have compromised phone number, then hackers have the keys to the kingdom. Some SMS systems are insecure and hackable.