How to Avoid Medicare Scam Calls and Protect Yourself

Every year, thousands of individuals fall prey to Medicare scam calls, which threaten personal security and compromise financial health. Because Medicare providers may call you regarding your member status, it can be tough to distinguish genuine Medicare calls from scams.

However, one thing is certain: Medicare health providers or any government agency will never call to ask for your social security number or other sensitive and private information.

With that in mind, there are still numerous situations where Medicare scammers can target you. That's why this guide explores key strategies for protecting yourself.

From recognizing the red flags to effective countermeasures, we'll explore:

● How to identify different types of Medicare scam calls

● The right strategies to safeguard your personal information

● How to report and mitigate the damage if you fall victim to a scam

Medicare Scam Calls–What Are They?

A fake Medicare health provider calls you to confirm your Social Security card number or financial information, leading to you being charged for services you've never received. The bad actor then uses your information to do so themselves, extorting you from your hard-earned money and personal details. That's what a Medicare scam call can look like.

● Medicare scam calls are fraudulent attempts to steal personal information, such as your Medicare number, Social Security number, or financial details (like bank account numbers).

● Medicare fraud scammers pose as Medicare representatives or healthcare providers like insurers, tricking you into sharing sensitive data. These calls can lead to identity theft and financial loss.

● Sometimes, malicious individuals from your circle, such as your doctor, health care provider, health insurance agent, or anyone with access to your Medicare card, can also prove to be scammers.

A scam doesn't have to be a complicated ploy. Sometimes, it starts with a simple phone call from an agent claiming free medical care or free genetic testing in exchange for your Medicare details. Another common tactic is a call asking you to confirm your Medicare information urgently to avoid losing coverage.

One thing to keep in mind is that Medicare will never ask for personal information over the phone, pressure you to provide information quickly, or recommend services or offers that seem too good to be true.

How Can a Medicare Scam Impact You?

Medicare scams are so much more than just annoying calls. Scammers will use tactics like posing as Medicare representatives to steal your personal information. Sometimes, health insurance providers can try to scam you as well. There have been cases of insurers acting on behalf of the victim to add extra charges to their account.

When scammers get access to your data, they can commit identity theft. In turn, this leads to unauthorized charges on your Medicare account for products or services you've never received, like:

● A new health insurance

● Prescription drugs or a new drug plan

● Consultations from other Medicare providers

You might also find your benefits maxed out due to fake claims, leaving you unable to access necessary medical care when you need it.

Beyond financial losses, these scams cause emotional distress, especially for senior citizens who rely heavily on Medicare. According to NHCAA, Medicare fraud costs the government and taxpayers over $100 billion each year.

How to Spot a Medicare Scam Call?

Scammers are smart, but knowing how to spot Medicare scams will help you become smarter. By now, you know that scammers pose as Medicare representatives or healthcare providers, using tactics like phone number spoofing to trick you into sharing sensitive information, such as your Medicare number or Social Security number.

Here’s how to spot these scams:

● No.1: Did you receive unsolicited calls? Be cautious if you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from Medicare. Medicare will never call you out of the blue to ask for personal information. Official communication typically comes through mail, but that's not always true. Bad-intended and well-prepared users may also contact you via email, so be aware of the most common phishing scams.

● No. 2: Did the interlocutor instill urgency and pressure? Scammers love to create a sense of urgency, claiming your benefits will be canceled unless you verify your information immediately. This pressure is a red flag.

● No. 3: Did you get requests for personal information? Be wary if the caller asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details. Medicare already has your information and will not request it over the phone.

● No. 4: Did the offer seem too good to be true? Offers of free medical supplies, testing, or refunds are common tactics. These can be ploys to obtain your personal information, so never accept odd offers.

These are just some of the warning signs to look for when trying to spot Medicare scam calls. Stay vigilant. Additionally, you can always call the 1 800 Medicare line (full number: 1-800-633-4227) to verify the legitimacy of these messages.

You've Fallen Victim to a Medicare Health Scam–Now What?

If you realize you’ve fallen victim to a Medicare scam, you need to act quickly. Assess the degree of the damage and find a way to protect your identity and finances further. Here’s how:

1. Report the scam right away:

○ Contact Medicare–call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) as soon as possible. Explain the situation and provide details about what information you shared with the scammer. You can also contact the Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379)

○ Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)–file a report at IdentityTheft.gov. This will help document the fraud and provide you with a recovery plan.

○ Contact the Office of the Inspector General (OIG): Report Medicare fraud directly to the OIG’s hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).

1. Monitor your accounts:

○ Check Medicare statements–review your Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) and Medicare card, as well as your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) carefully. Look for any unauthorized charges or fraudulent activity.

○ Watch your financial accounts–keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for unusual transactions, as well as your medical records. If you notice anything suspicious, report it to your bank immediately.

1. Protect your identity:

○ Place a fraud alert–contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will make it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name.

○ Consider a credit freeze–if you suspect your Social Security number was compromised, place a credit freeze on your accounts. This prevents anyone from accessing your credit report without your permission or performing other online scams using your information.

1. Review and update your security measures:

○ Change passwords: If you shared any account details or login information, change your passwords right away. Use strong, unique passwords for each account, and consider using a password manager.

○ Enable multi-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security to your online accounts by allowing MFA, which requires you to verify your identity through a second method, such as text messages or authentication apps.

5 Effective Steps to Prevent Falling for a Medicare Scam Call

1. Spot the scam from the get-go using Bitdefender Scamio

Use free tools like Scamio to filter out fraudulent texts before you click on them. Scamio identifies suspicious senders, alerting you to potential threats. This simple step can save you from the headache of dealing with scammers in the first place.

2. Never share your Medicare number, social security number, or personal information

Medicare will never ask for your details over the phone, so if someone does, it's likely a scam. Guard your Medicare and Social Security numbers like your bank account info. Simply hang up—it's free and can save you thousands of dollars.

3. Asses the legitimacy of the caller ID

Scammers are getting smarter and can spoof caller IDs to make it look like they’re calling from a trusted source. Don’t trust the caller ID at face value. If you’re unsure, don’t engage—call 1800 Medicare back using their official number, which you can verify online. This simple action can be your best defense.

4. Stay informed–update yourself on the evolution of Medicare scams

Staying vigilant and informed is your best defense.

● Stay current with the latest scam tactics and learn how to protect yourself in the future. Medicare scams evolve, and awareness of new schemes can help you avoid falling victim again.

● Inform friends, family, and healthcare providers about the scam to prevent others from becoming victims. Community awareness is a powerful tool in combating fraud.

5. Know your obligations, rights, and best practices during the call

You have the right to say no, to hang up, and to ask for information in writing. Don’t let anyone pressure you into making quick decisions. If something feels off, it probably is. Use your rights to stay safe, and don’t hesitate to disconnect if you’re uncomfortable. Remember, hanging up is free and highly effective.

11 Types of Medicare Scam Calls to Watch Out For

Below, we'll explore some of the most common types of Medicare scam calls you should watch out for:

1. Fake service billing

One of the most common scams involves a provider billing Medicare for services or supplies they never actually provided. For example, you might receive a bill for a medical visit you never had or for equipment like a back brace that you never received.

1. Double billing

In this scheme, a provider charges Medicare twice for the same service or item. You may only receive the service once, but the scammer submits multiple claims to Medicare to maximize their fraudulent gains. It's essential to carefully review your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) to ensure you're not being billed twice for the same service.

2. Stolen Medicare number

Scammers can steal your Medicare number or card and use it to submit fraudulent claims in your name. They might visit doctors, get prescriptions, or bill Medicare for services you never received. If you notice unfamiliar charges on your Medicare statements, it's important to report them immediately to prevent further fraud.

3. Unapproved Medicare drug plans

Be wary of companies offering Medicare drug plans that Medicare hasn't approved. These plans might promise lower costs or better coverage but are designed to steal your personal information or money. Always verify any new plans directly with Medicare before changing your coverage.

4. “New Medicare card” scam

Scammers may call claiming that Medicare is issuing new cards and your current one is invalid. They’ll pressure you to provide your Medicare number or other personal information to receive the new card. Medicare will never call you to ask for personal details—any such call is a scam.

5. “Medicare eligibility cancellation” scam

Fraudsters might claim that your Medicare eligibility will be canceled unless you verify your identity by providing your Medicare number, Social Security number, or other sensitive information. Remember, Medicare will not call you unsolicited to request this information, but malicious individuals engaged in phone scams might.

6. Free medical supplies or tests

Scammers often offer free medical supplies or genetic testing in exchange for your Medicare number. They bill Medicare for these unnecessary services or equipment and pocket the funds. Always consult your doctor before agreeing to any medical services or supplies offered to you out of the blue.

7. Refund scams

Another tactic involves callers claiming you're owed a refund due to overpayment of benefits. They’ll ask for your bank account details or Medicare information to process the refund. Medicare will never ask for this information over the phone—such requests are always fraudulent.

1. Pre-approved plan scams

Scammers may contact you during the open enrollment period, claiming that you're pre-approved for a better Medicare plan. They’ll ask for your personal information to enroll you. Always verify any plan changes directly with Medicare to avoid falling for these scams.

2. Impersonation of legitimate companies

Fraudsters often impersonate legitimate insurance companies, like American Senior Benefits, to trick you into giving out your Medicare number. If you receive an unexpected call from a company, especially if you’re on the Do Not Call list, it’s likely a scam. Verify any claims by contacting the company using a known, official phone number.

3. Persistent scam calls

Some scammers will call multiple times a day from different numbers, asking about disability benefits or Medicare plans. They might try to get you to confirm your identity or answer “yes” to a question, which they can then use to authorize charges in your name. If you receive multiple harassing calls, it’s a red flag—block the numbers and report the scam to a government agency.

Outsmart Scammers, Starting Today. Take Charge of Your Information

The more you know about how scammers operate, the better equipped you’ll be to outsmart them. Don’t let fraudsters take advantage of your trust—take charge of your information and protect what’s rightfully yours.

Now you know how to spot and avoid Medicare scams, but remember—scams take many forms. From phishing attempts to cyber threats and other malicious tactics, it’s essential to stay vigilant and keep up with the evolving landscape of digital fraud.

Why leave your data to chance? Your digital footprint is growing by the day, and in a digital-first world, protecting your online activity is more important than ever. Invest in security solutions like Bitdefender Total Security to ensure that your data, privacy, and online interactions remain secure. Don’t wait until it’s too late—get started with Bitdefender today.