Rutherford County, TN – It’s that time of year again when scammers pose as Medicare “representatives” to offer “helpful” enrollment guidance to unsuspecting seniors. These types of scenarios occur when Medicare open enrollment arrives, and with it, a flurry of scam calls, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes targeting older adults. Because nothing says “service” like a scammer calling with fake offers to “update” your Medicare information.
Here’s a rundown of the latest tricks these scammers are using to win your trust, steal your info, and possibly drain your bank account faster than you can say “open enrollment”:
- The Friendly Medicare Call: Scammers posing as Medicare agents may call, offering to “confirm” your billing details or “update” your Medicare ID. Spoiler alert: Medicare will never do this. Hang up immediately, as Medicare has better things to do than update your ID over the phone.
- Part D Drama: Some scammers will tell you that Part D prescription drug coverage is mandatory. Well, it isn’t. They’re banking on confusion to get you signed up—and lighten your wallet.
- Threats and Cancellations: A scammer might even try scare tactics, saying they’ll cancel your health benefits unless you share personal information. Just remember, Medicare doesn’t take orders from scam callers.
In case you need a refresher on avoiding scams, here’s a tip: Never hand over your personal information to anyone who calls you out of the blue—even if the caller ID reads “Medicare.” Scammers have nifty tools to spoof caller IDs, making it look like they’re calling from a trusted source. Instead, hang up and call the real Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)…