If you or someone you love is on Medicare, or if you are an agent selling Medicare, you are likely reviewing and comparing options now. As you are shopping to select the plan that is right for you or your client, know that scammers are impersonating Medicare agents.
Scammers may appear credible, claim to be from Medicare, and possess your personal information. The truth is that they’re actually attempting to steal your identity, money, or Medicare information. Following are some tips on how to recognize potential scams:
- The name displayed on your phone may be fake. Scammers can fake a caller ID.
- If a caller requests your Medicare, Social Security, bank, or credit card information, hang up. Legitimate Medicare employees have your Medicare number on file.
- Take your time; don’t be rushed into anything. Medicare doesn’t provide additional benefits for early enrollment, and you have until December 7 to complete the process.
- Threats to take away your benefits are not legitimate. Benefits that you are eligible for cannot be terminated because you chose not to enroll in a plan.
- Never engage in conversation with anyone who claims that Medicare prefers their plan. Medicare doesn’t endorse a specific plan.
- Get help to deal with Medicare fraud and abuse at smpresource.org.
To report someone pretending to be affiliated with Medicare and other Medicare scams, call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) and tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Or if you have a defend-id program, contact our team at 1-800-487-0160.
As the December 7th deadline approaches, take extra precautions to ensure that fraudsters impersonating medicare agents dont take advantage of you or your clients.
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