A
Medicare scam
involves criminals trying to steal your
personal information
or money related to your
Medicare benefits
. They often target older adults who are more likely to be on Medicare. Here are some common types of Medicare scams:
Phishing:
Scammers impersonate someone from Medicare, your insurance company, or other healthcare provider. They might call, text, email, or even send letters claiming you need to update your information, verify your account, or qualify for new benefits.
They'll then try to trick you into revealing your Medicare number, Social Security number, bank account information, or other sensitive details.
Fake Medicare cards:
Scammers might offer to replace your Medicare card with a new one, claiming it's outdated or has security vulnerabilities. This is a ploy to get your current card number and information.
Free medical equipment:
Scammers offer free or discounted medical equipment like braces or walkers, but require your Medicare information to process the "benefits." They then use your information to submit fraudulent claims or sell it on the black market.
Fake medical services:
Scammers might offer unnecessary or low-quality medical services at discounted rates, again requiring your Medicare information for "billing." They then submit false claims to Medicare for services you never received.
Investment scams:
Scammers might claim they can help you invest your Medicare benefits in high-return schemes, but these are usually fraudulent attempts to steal your money.
Here how to watch out for medicare scam:
- Unsolicited contact: Medicare will never call, text, or email you out of the blue asking for personal information.
- Pressure to act quickly: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to rush you into making a decision.
- Offers that seem too good to be true: Free or discounted medical equipment, services, or investments might be scams.
- Requests for personal information: Never share your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account information with someone you don't know and trust.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from Medicare scams:
- Never give out personal information over the phone, email, or text.
- Contact Medicare directly if you're unsure about a call or message.
- Report suspected scams to Medicare.
- Be cautious about offers that seem too good to be true.
- Shred any documents containing your Medicare number or other personal information.
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