Watch Out for Scammers During Medicare Enrollment Period

During the Medicare Enrollment Period which is open until December 7 have your guard up against scammers who want to obtain your Medicare and Social Security information.

Scammers pretend to be from Medicare or a healthcare insurance company. Here are tips to prevent you from being a scam victim.

• If you receive a call from someone claiming to represent Medicare, or your healthcare insurance company or some other government agency, hang up. Call the number listed on your healthcare insurance account statement or card to determine whether it was a legitimate call that you received. Or call Medicare at: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
• Never give personal information to anyone who calls you even if the request seems to come from your healthcare insurance company or Medicare. A scammer may request your Medicare and Social Security numbers or financial account numbers. Medicare will not call you unexpectedly.
• If you are on social media with your computer do not click on a link to get information about a Medicare insurance plan. It could be a scam. If the insurance plan looks interesting, search for the company’s website or phone number to make the contact.

If you suspect you have been contacted by a scammer, notify Medicare at the phone number above or call the Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). 

Get help comparing Medicare costs, coverage, and plans from the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Call 877-839-2675 or visit the SHIP website at: www.shiphelp.org/.