For those enrolled in Medicare, it's essential to stay vigilant against scams targeting your benefits. Scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to trick you into giving them your personal information or committing fraud or theft using your account. Here’s a guide to the most common Medicare scams and tips on how to protect yourself.
Phishing Scams (when the scammer attempts to get your personal information), which include:
Phone Scams: Beware of calls from people claiming to be from Medicare. They might ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details. Remember, Medicare will never call you and ask for this information over the phone.
Email Scams: Scammers send emails that look like official Medicare communications, asking you to click on links and provide personal information. Always be cautious with email requests for your data. As a rule, never click on a link in an email, even if it looks like it comes from a trusted source. Additionally, the phone numbers provided in the email should not be trusted.
Medicare Card Scams: Scammers may tell you that you need to pay a fee to receive a new Medicare card or verify your identity in order to get your money. Remember: Medicare will never charge you for a new card.
Fake Medical Services or Equipment Scams, which may include:
Fraudulent Providers: Some scammers offer fake medical services or equipment, asking for your personal information or payment upfront. They may even have information including the name of your primary care physician or medical equipment provider. Often, the equipment is unnecessary or never delivered. If you get a phone call or email of this nature, hang up and call your primary care provider to verify whether they have authorized these offers. Do not trust offers that callers may make to connect you to your provider or to authenticate in any other way. Hang up and make the call yourself.
Free Services or Tests: Offers of “free” health services or tests are often scams to bill Medicare for unnecessary services and pocket the money. Again, decline this offer and reach out to your primary care provider for verification that these services were ordered or are required.
Health Plan Scams, which may include:
Enrolling you in Bogus Health Plans. Be cautious of offers for fake Medicare Advantage Plans or Part D plans. Scammers may collect premiums without providing real coverage. A good rule of thumb is to only discuss your plan or enrollment over the phone with an insurance agent you know and trust.
Unauthorized Plan Changes. Scammers might change your health plan without your knowledge, leading to unexpected costs and coverage issues. Avoid calling toll free numbers off television commercials, and only discuss your plan and coverage options over the phone with an insurance advisor that you know and trust.
In-Person Scams: Be wary of people coming to your door offering health services or products and asking for your Medicare information. Never give information to anyone you don't know who shows up at your door your Medicare or provider information.
Here are some additional rules-of-thumb that can help you avoid being scammed:
Never give out your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information over the phone unless you initiated the call.
If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE to verify the call.
Be cautious of anyone offering free medical equipment or services, especially in exchange for your Medicare number.
Regularly review your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) for any suspicious charges or services you didn’t receive.
If you feel you have been a victim of a Medicare scam, be assured that scammers are very sophisticated. There is no reason to feel ashamed. Instead, be proactive about your situation, keeping in mind that it's important to act as quickly as possible to minimize damage and avoid future exploitation. Steps you should take include:
Stop all communication with the scammer immediately.
Document everything, keeping all emails, messages, and other communications related to the scam. Take screenshots if necessary. Note any information you have about the scam, including dates, times, and the contact information of the scammer.
Report the scam by contacting the Medicare Fraud Hotline: 1-800-MEDICARE. (The TTY number is 1-877-486-2048.)
You can also use the Medicare website's fraud reporting form to submit details.
You can also the Minnesota Senior Linkage Line for help in how to proceed.
If you suspect your personal information has been stolen, visit https://www.identitytheft.gov to report the identity theft and get a recovery plan.
Inform your bank and any other financial institutions about the potential scam. They can help monitor for suspicious activity and take steps to protect your accounts. If your credit card information was compromised, contact your credit card company to cancel the card and issue a new one.
By taking these steps promptly, you can help protect yourself from further harm and can also assist authorities in stopping the scammers from exploiting others.
You can help protect yourself from Medicare scams and ensure that your benefits are safe by staying vigilant and informed. But the most important takeaway is this: If you ever feel unsure about a call, email, or offer, don’t hesitate to cease communications and seek advice from trusted sources, including your licensed Medicare insurance agent, or reach out and contact Medicare directly.
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