Don’t fall for Medicare scams

#MiddleburyCT #MedicareScams #Seniors

Medicare card scams are on the rise. During one calendar year, Medicare had over $100 billion in fraudulent claims, and the damage cost goes up when identity theft and stolen financial information are added in.

What the Medicare thieves want is your card number, and they’ll try any number of tricks to get you to reveal it. Scammers might contact you to offer you a “cheaper” Medicare but will need your personal information to sign you up. Don’t fall for it.

They might impersonate a Medicare employee and say that your card is about to expire, and you need a new one. They’ll ask for your current card number and your personal information to verify it’s really you. (Wrong: Medicare cards don’t expire.)

Scammers might call and say your Medicare benefits have been canceled, but claim they can help you get the benefits reinstated if you give them your personal information or even a fee. (Wrong: Medicare won’t communicate with you that way, and if they need to contact you, it will be by mail.)

Thieves might try to claim that your old paper card isn’t good now and that you need a new one with a chip in it, like a credit card. (Wrong: Medicare cards are only made of paper.)

They might offer you a refund of some type or something free, or you might be offered genetic testing. All you need to do, they’ll say, is give them your Medicare card number … and your bank information for the refund.

Whether you’re contacted by phone, email or text message, don’t give out your Medicare card number or any of your personal or financial information.

As usual, if you suspect you have a scammer on the phone, hang up immediately. If you believe it was an attempt at a Medicare scam, call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to report it.

© 2025 King Features Synd., Inc.