Be Wary of Callers Claiming to Represent Medicare

Better Business Bureau is warning area residents of scam phone calls in which callers misrepresent themselves as Medicare employees in an effort to gain credit card or social security information.

 A local woman recently contacted BBB reporting a call from a blocked number in which the person on the line claimed she was the recipient of a new Medicare card.  However, the caller stated, before she could retrieve the card, she needed to set up direct deposit. The caller then asked for the woman’s bank account number.

“If anyone calls unsolicited requesting bank account information, hang up,” warned Gary Almond, president of BBB Serving Northeast California.

BBB reminds consumers of the following tips to avoid Medicare fraud:

• Do not give personal information to unknown individuals via telephone.

• Be wary of “free” devices in exchange for your Medicare number.

• Never sign blank Medicare forms.

• If you have given your information to an unknown callers, contact the FTC’s ID Theft Hotline at 1-877-4338.

To stay up to date on the latest BBB tips by following BBB on Facebook or Twitter. Read the full press release regarding avoiding Medicare scams.