Medicare Open Enrollment Scam Calls Are on the Rise: What You Need to Know
As Medicare’s annual open enrollment period approaches, scammers are ramping up their efforts to target unsuspecting individuals. Scam calls claiming to be from Medicare providers are flooding the country, trying to deceive seniors into sharing personal information.
Real-Life Example of a Medicare Scam Call
Recently, a Consumer Affairs reporter received one of these scam calls from a woman named “Amy,” who claimed to represent a “Medicare provider” called All-American Medical. During the conversation, Amy tried to convince the reporter that they needed a “new Medicare 2025 card” and requested their address to send it. However, when questioned further, Amy abruptly ended the call.
Common Medicare Scam Tactics
These scams come in various forms, including offers of new Medicare cards with supposed identity theft protection chips. Scammers often use these tricks to collect personal information, putting victims at risk of fraud and identity theft.
Protect Yourself from Medicare Scams
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) confirm that these scams often occur in waves. CMS emphasizes that Medicare will never call individuals to ask for their Medicare number or request personal information. Medicare advises people to treat their Medicare card like a credit card and to carefully check Medicare claims for any errors.
How to Report Medicare Fraud
If you receive a suspicious call, CMS urges you to report it. You can contact the HHS fraud hotline at 800-447-8477 or reach out to your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) by calling 877-808-2468. Stay vigilant and protect your personal information to avoid falling victim to these scams.
