WASHINGTON – As Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15 and runs through December 7, the Federal Trade Commission is warning beneficiaries to watch for scammers seeking personal information or money. Fraudsters often impersonate Medicare, contacting individuals unexpectedly. They may sound professional and even reference some personal information. Many claim you need a new or updated Medicare card and ask for your Medicare number, bank account, or credit card details. Actual Medicare cards are free and mailed automatically, and officials will never call, text, or email asking for these numbers or payment.
To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited requests for personal or financial information. Caller ID can be faked, so hang up and verify by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Beneficiaries can also get help comparing plans and costs through their State Health Insurance Assistance Program or at Medicare.gov, and report suspicious activity to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Additional resources to prevent, detect, and report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse are available through local Senior Medicare Patrol programs at smpresource.org.
