Senior Fraud: Medicare

Senior fraud encompasses a range of deceptive schemes designed to exploit older individuals who are more susceptible to malicious tactics and less technologically savvy.

These scams can take many forms, including phishing emails, fraudulent phone calls, investment scams, and identity theft. Often, they use fronts such as “Medicare” to gain access to personal information.

With Annual Enrollment Period approaching, please be aware that perpetrators can be “legitimate” call centers and Agents that are trying to get folks to switch plans without consideration of the senior’s best interest. They do this because there are financial gains for doing so (i.e. commission, gaining market share.) Unfortunately, this can have serious implications on the ongoing quality of the senior’s health coverage.

Here are some RED FLAGS to look for to avoid these predicaments:

• Unsolicited calls offering “Free” services or benefits
• Callers asking for Medicare or Social Security Number for “record-keeping purposes.”
• Pressure to make QUICK decisions about your Healthcare choices
• Billing for services you didn’t receive
• Unsolicited calls telling you to switch Medical Plans because “It is a much BETTER plan” or any other related superlatives.

Please stay vigilant and PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION!

If you have any doubts, call 1-800-MEDICARE and report your concerns.