Beware Medicare Scams

Medicare and Social Security beneficiaries here and across the country report receiving calls from scam operators (frequently with foreign accents), who claim to represent Medicare, Social Security, or an insurance company. These callers claim that new Medicare, Social Security, 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.

The callers may claim that they can improve the benefits. Do not believe these claims, and do not carry on a conversation with the caller. Instead, if you receive a call asking you to disclose your bank account or other financial information, hang up immediately.

• The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration will not call you to update your information or give you a new card.
• If someone who calls you asks for your personal information, do not provide it.
• If calls persist, you may wish to speak to your phone company about calling features that would enable you to be selective in the calls that you accept or receive.

For answers to your questions about Medicare, contact an APPRISE counselor near you. See http://www.rsvpmc.org/content/apprise-medicare-counseling

Counselors are specially trained volunteers who can answer your questions about Medicare and provide you with objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Medicaid.