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Medicare is the seductive prize for the fraudster. Because this is a public program funded by taxpayers, it has a huge budget allocation, which is what attracts scammers. Incorrect payments totaled as much as $54 billion in 2024. Some scams involve setting up fake companies to file false claims, while others target beneficiaries directly, stealing their personal information and denying their right to treatment.
If you fall victim to this scam, the consequences can range from small financial losses to actual health risks. A scammer may trick you into paying fake fees, premiums, or “copayments” over the phone or online. They may also pursue your personal information or Medicare number to obtain services or equipment you never asked for, which may make you less coverage when you actually need treatment.
It’s better to know what you’re facing so you won’t lose it accidentally Medicare Benefits.
FBI warns seniors about a billion dollars in scam retirement funds, experts say AI driving
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Patty Morris performed a test by Sead Bentovic on Monday, December 5, 2022 at the Indiana University Health Central Cancer Center. In 2023, she received Medicare Advantage Kidney Care Plan Insurance. (Kelly Wilkinson / USA Today Network via Imagn Image)
Things to identify a Medicare scam
These days, scammers are becoming more and more professional. With the Medicare scam, fraudsters may use spoofed phone numbers, emails, and websites to make their plans look more credible. Fortunately, there are still some obvious signs worth noting.
Regardless of communication method, phone number, email, email or in person, the scammer will try:
- Create fear or urgency
- Force you to act quickly
- The consequences of threatening you
Scam artists often try to create time pressure to force victims to act quickly before they have time to think. (Kurt “CyberKnutsson)
The scammer calls you to ask for payment in the name of medical insurance
Some scammers use cheated phone numbers to imitate Medicare representatives. They may try to trick you into paying fake fees or buying unnecessary products.
These usually include:
- Fake health insurance upgrade
- “Low Cost” Medical Equipment
- Fake test or genetic kit
- Discounted medicines
remember: Unless you ask them, Medicare will never call you, and they will never ask for money.
If you owe Medicare fees, you will be contacted by email instead of by phone. Additionally, Medicare insurance itself is free and you will never ask you to pay just to keep it active.
You may only have to pay in certain situations, such as part of the cost of partial treatment or prescription medication, but these bills will always be sent to you by mail and never by phone or online form.
Scammers try to imitate these payments to steal your money
The scammer may try to call you Ask for your Medicare number or card details in the name of Medicare.
Money is not the only pursuit of liars. Your Medicare number may be just as valuable, or even more.
This scam follows a similar plan: The fraudster calls you a Medicare employee and asks you to provide a Medicare number for false reasons, such as:
- Upgrade your plan
- Update your account details
- “Free” medicines available
- Issuing a new Medicare card
- …and more
Let me know: Medicare will never call you, whether it’s about paying for it, updating your account or anything else.
Scammers want your Medicare information so that they can fake you and get medical supplies, prescription medications or treatments in your name.
Delete data to protect your retirement from scammers
The scammer calls you under Medicare’s name to extort your personal data
Your Social Security Number (SSN) may be a parody of your final work. On these calls, the fraudster can not only ask for your Medicare details, but also ask for other personal information, such as your SSN, date of birth, or similar data.
They often use the same excuses as when trying to get Medicare information, such as:
- Upgrade your plan
- Issuing a new card
- Other reasons related to the account.
Let me emphasize again: Medicare will never call you for these reasons.
Even if the phone number looks reasonable and the caller sounds professional, you will know that this is a scam when you are asked to provide personal details or payment.
What to do if you suspect a Medicare scam
If it’s a phone call, please hang up.
You don’t need to explain yourself or have a conversation with a liar. If they threaten your consequences, don’t trust them; scammers use their fear to put pressure on you to make bad decisions.
remember: If Medicare or its service provider has important information to communicate, they will communicate by mail rather than by phone.
In addition to not letting scammers take advantage of you, you can also:
- Report fraud to Medicare 1-800 -Medicare (1-800-633‑4227)
- Report fraud to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov/
A woman checks her health insurance account on a laptop. (Kurt “CyberKnutsson)
How to make yourself less targeted in a health insurance scam
You don’t have to sit down, hope the scammers won’t target you. Instead, there are some positive steps you can take to make the chances of such an attempt less likely.
1) Reduce your online exposure
To locate you, Scammers first needs to collect some basic information about you, such as your phone number. This information and more makes it easy to find people search websites, which are platforms operated by data brokers that let people search for others. The good news is that you can opt out of these platforms. You can do this manually by visiting each website and filling out the opt-out form, or you can automate the process.
2) Use the data deletion service to help you
The Data Deletion Service deletion service deletes personal details on your behalf, such as your phone number, address and emails to your email website and data brokerage database. By reducing the amount of information available online, these services make it harder for scammers to find and locate you. Many of them also monitor whether your data appears, so you will be protected over time without having to constantly check dozens of sites yourself.
While there is no service that guarantees complete deletion of data from the Internet, a data deletion service is indeed a wise choice. They are not cheap, nor are your privacy. These services provide you with all your work by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information from hundreds of websites. This is where I feel at ease and proves to be the most effective way to delete your personal data from the internet. By limiting the available information, you can reduce the risk of cross-references for fraudsters Data from violations They may find information on the dark web, making it harder for them to follow you.
Check out my preferred data deletion service and scan it for free to see if your personal information is already accessible on the internet Cyberguy.com.
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3) Regularly monitor your health insurance statement
Always check your Medicare Summary Notification (MSN) or Benefit Interpretation (EOBS). These statements show the service you name is billed for. If you see fees for services, equipment, or prescriptions that you have never received, please report them immediately. Action quickly can stop fraud before affecting your care.
4) Use identity theft protection services
You can be alerted if your Social Security number, Medicare number, or other sensitive details are displayed on the dark web or used to open a new account. If a scammer abuses your information, these services can also guide you to recover.
Check out my tips and best options to protect yourself from identity theft Cyberguy.com.
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Kurt’s key points
Medicare scams are designed to exploit fear, urgency and chaos. By identifying warning signs and knowing what Medicare will do, you can be one step ahead of the fraudster. Protecting your personal information and reducing online exposure is key to keeping insurance companies safe. With some clever habits, you can make yourself an unattractive target when you see a scam and help others by reporting it.
Have you or someone you know ever been the target of Medicare Scam, and how did you deal with it? By writing to us, let us know Cyberguy.com.
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