Medicare imposters kicking into high gear. Here's what to look out for
Medicare open enrollment is in effect through Dec. 7, 2023, and anyone eligible for Medicare benefits should be wary of calls, texts, or emails about special offers to enroll with them.
The Better Business Bureau says scammers will try all kinds of schemes to get your personal Medicare information. Be careful of any unsolicited contacts offering "assistance." Con artists will be active during the entire annual open-enrollment period.
One of the ways the fraud works is scammers claim they can enroll you in a better Medicare program than what you currently have. They will say that their plan is cheaper, and you can keep all the same benefits.
To get started, you only need to provide some personal information, such as your Medicare ID number. Don’t. The call is a scam, and sharing personal information will open you up to identity theft.
More: Check your passwords: Rockford among top cities in the US for identity theft
Fear is another factor here. Callers will say that your Medicare will be discontinued if you don't re-enroll. This fake “Medicare advisor” can fix the situation if you share personal information with them.
The scammers work every method they have: calls, texts, or emails.
Another con to watch for: a claim that Medicare is replacing your current Medicare card with a new plastic card or one with a chip in it. Do not reply regardless of the contact method. Medicare will not contact you out of the blue. You will need to contact them.
Currently we’ve had no reports of door knockers, but these imposters will do what’s needed to rip you off. Like the other methods of contact, Medicare will never show up at your doorstep.
Watch out for family and friends who are Medicare eligible. Ask if they’ve been contacted by anyone aggressively pushing Medicare deals.
These are the protective measures offered by the BBB:
Be wary of anyone who contacts you unsolicited. People representing Medicare plans don’t contact you by phone, email, or in person unless you are already enrolled and requested a phone call. Be especially cautious of threatening calls that require quick action or immediate payment.
Guard your government-issued numbers. Never offer your Medicare ID number or social security number to anyone you don’t know.
Medicare provides legitimate help with determining which plan is right for you. These people — sometimes called navigators or assisters — are not allowed to charge for their help. If someone asks you for payment, it’s a scam. You will also need to contact them. They will not call you.
Decline promotional gifts in exchange for personal information. Keep a healthy level of skepticism whenever a broker offers you free gifts, health screenings, or other special deals. Never sign up with a broker who offers you an expensive “sign-up gift” in exchange for providing your Medicare ID number or other personally identifiable information.
Beware of dishonest insurance brokers who offer “free health screenings.” Some brokers offer this to weed out less healthy people. This is called “cherry picking” and is against the Medicare rules.
Visit the official Medicare.gov website for general information or if you want to make changes to your health care plan. Do not click on links in texts or email messages.
If you are unsure whether a call or offer is from Medicare, or you gave your personal information to someone claiming to be with Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it.
Dennis Horton is director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau, which serves Winnebago, Boone and Stephenson counties among others in northern Illinois.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Here's how to avoid scams involving Medicare
