What should you do if you get a Medicare scam call?
But the scammers’ intent is to commit Medicare fraud by billing Medicare for unnecessary tests. If you receive such a call, hang up and report the caller to Medicare. “Consumers should always consult with their primary care doctor before agreeing to tests,” says the BBB. Find out: 5 Medicare Myths About Long-Term Care 3. Durable medical equipment
What to do if your Medicare claim is wrong?
Be vigilant in checking your Medicare statements, experts say; the thieves are sneaky, and you don’t want a false claim lingering on your records. If you find a discrepancy, call your doctor’s office first to rule out an innocent error.
What are the most common Medicare scams?
Another common Medicare scam is one in which someone calls offering free durable medical equipment such as a back brace or knee brace. The caller tells you that you qualify for the free equipment, and if you agree and provide your Medicare number, they will submit an order to your doctor for the products.
What to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer?
Here’s what to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer or gave them your personal information. Did you pay with a credit card or debit card? Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card or debit card.
Can someone steal my identity with my Medicare number?
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.
What do I do if my Medicare number is compromised?
If you suspect your identity has been stolen, contact Medicare immediately: On the phone: 1-800-633-4227; TTY: 1-877-486-2048; Medicare Advantage Plan members: 1-877-772-3379.
What do I do if I gave my Social Security number to a scammer?
You may reach the FTC's identity theft hotline toll free at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338) or visit their website at www.ftc.gov/idtheft. Additional Resources: Protecting Your Social Security Number from Identity Theft.
Can I give out my Medicare number over the phone?
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. Don't send or give your old Medicare card to anyone. Impostors may claim you need to return it.
How do I check to see if someone is using my Social Security number for free?
If you believe someone is using your Social Security number to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes, contact the IRS online or call 1-800-908-4490. You can order free credit reports annually from the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).
How can 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 access my bank account with my Social Security number?
They can use your SSN to open a bank account in your name. That means that anyone with your SSN can easily open a bank account in your name, especially if the identity thief already obtained a driver's license in your name.
What happens if you accidentally give someone your Social Security number?
A dishonest person who has your Social Security number can use it to get other personal information about you. Identity thieves can use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, when they use the credit cards and don't pay the bills, it damages your credit.
Can someone steal your identity with the last four of your social?
As long as a hacker or scammer has access to other personal information such as your name and address, they can use the last four digits of your SSN (in most cases) to open accounts in your name, steal your money and government benefits, or even get healthcare and tax refunds in your name.
Who do Medicare Scammers Target?
Medicare scammers target primarily the elderly; however, anyone can be a victim to their scams. Since the start of COVID-19, targeting of the elderly has increased substantially.
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.
What Offers do Scammers Make?
It’s not always easy to determine when you are getting scammed, but these are some common offers that they use, and you can watch out for them.
Reporting a Medicare Scam
If someone has tried to scam you or if you have been scammed, use the phone numbers below to report the incident.
1. Requests for your Medicare number
If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare or a company that says it needs your Medicare number to update records or provide services or medical equipment, don’t provide the number or other personal information. Just hang up.
2. Free genetic testing kits
Scammers claiming to offer “free” genetic testing kits to Medicare recipients are on the rise, according to the BBB. A scammer calls, claiming to be from Medicare or another organization or company with an official-sounding name.
3. Durable medical equipment
Another common Medicare scam is one in which someone calls offering free durable medical equipment such as a back brace or knee brace. The caller tells you that you qualify for the free equipment, and if you agree and provide your Medicare number, they will submit an order to your doctor for the products.
4. Phantom call Medicare imposters
Medicare scammers may employ “spoof’ caller ID technology to falsely identify the call as coming from Medicare or another government agency. So, don’t trust your caller I.D. if it shows the call is from Medicare. Medicare won’t call you with questions or issues, typically sending a letter instead.
What does phantom billing mean?
Gregory Reid. Practices such as phantom billing, which means charging Medicare for services not delivered , leaves money in the hands of fraudsters. Medicare fraudsters steal billions from the system and they can also have a direct impact on your wallet and medical records.
What is up-code billing?
Upcharging, also known as “up-code billing,” happens when Medicare is billed for a more expensive device or procedure than the one you received.
What happens when someone steals your medical information?
Medical identity theft happens directly to you when someone steals your personal information, especially a Medicare number, to get devices, treatment or medicine, and submits fraudulent claims under your name.
What to do if you find a discrepancy in Medicare?
If you find a discrepancy, call your doctor’s office first to rule out an innocent error.
Is a scooter a scam?
Scooters, back braces and other devices that are offered at “no cost to you” are in many cases scams to defraud Medicare and give you an inferior product, if you get it at all. Under the federal False Claims Act, if you are part of a false claim operation — known to you or not — you may be liable.
What does Medicare check?
If you have Original Medicare, check your MSN. This notice shows the health care services, supplies, or equipment you got, what you were charged, and how much Medicare paid. If you’re in a Medicare health plan, check the statements you get from your plan.
When you get health care services, record the dates on a calendar and save the receipts and statements you get from
When you get health care services, record the dates on a calendar and save the receipts and statements you get from providers to check for mistakes. Compare this information with the claims Medicare processed to make sure you or Medicare weren’t billed for services or items you didn’t get.
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.
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 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.
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.
Where to report a scam?
If you were scammed, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.