Open Enrollment Brings Out Medicare Scammers

It is open season for scammers and identity thieves but don’t be fooled! Medicare will never call you and ask you for your personal information. Do not give out your Medicare number or any financial information to people posing as employees of Medicare, Medicaid services, or any government agencies. Some scammers will tell you that new cards are being issued and they need your information. There are no plans to issue new Medicare cards, however, if yours is lost or stolen it can be replaced at ssa.gov or by calling 800-772-1213. Do not believe claims of free medical supplies, free health checkups, or good deals on supplemental insurance. Also, kickbacks or ways around the rules are clear signs of shady contacts. For additional information see aarp.org/medicareQA or aarp.org/fraudwatch. You can also call 800-MEDICARE OR medicare.gov