Medicare Scam Alert
Medicare Part Enrollment period states in October, Seniors are starting to receiving phone calls from a woman and man who claim to be from Medicare. They team up to request your Medicare number, Social Security number, Bank Account numbers, and Credit Card numbers.
The scam works like this: A female caller: 'This is (name), and I'm calling from Medicare. Your file has been flagged for Part D enrollment or a change in Medicare, and I'm calling to verify your medicare needs. While on the phone the caller tries to collect your Medicare number. Once the Medicare number is collected you are transferred to a male caller. He verifies your information and transfers you to a third person. The next step is to convince the senior into revealing your bank account number and credit card number, often with a series of misleading questions bent on "verifying your information so you can keep your health coverage or enroll in Part D for 2010.
A few beneficiaries have reported to me they did give the callers their Medicare, Social Security, Bank Account, and Credit Card numbers. Once they have your personal information it is easy to re-populate to whatever forms that are necessary to access services, summit false claims, drain your accounts or commit ID theft for their own gain. Within 15 minutes after a call of this type is made to a victim a new purchase can be charged to your card.
Victims believe they are getting a call from Medicare. Medicare does not call you to request personal information. If you receive such a call HANG-UP. Don't be pressured to provide information or buy something now. And Do-Not give out Medicare, Social Security, or Bank account numbers over the phone.
You may report these calls to SHICK 1-800-860-5260, Kansas SMP 1-800-432-3535 or 1-800 MEDICARE You also should contact your bank and credit card provider right away.
Reader Comments
Comments are moderated. It may take some time for your comment to appear.
There are no comments yet. Be the first to create one!
Leave a Comment