Don’t fall for Medicare telephone scams

January 12 01:00 2016 by ushadmin

If someone working for Medicare calls and asks you for your bank account or Social Security number, hang up.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers are finding new ways to prey on victims, and this time, they are impersonating Medicare employees.

By verifying a bank account or Social Security number over the phone, scammers have access to your money and will liquidate your funds within minutes.

Callers may sound very convincing, the FTC warns. Many scammers make sure to know your full name and first few numbers of your bank account numbers, then call to verify the rest.

Oftentimes, callers say that Medicare lost your information and will send you a new prescription card, deposit funds into your account or add new benefits. They claim there is no charge, but that it is an urgent matter and your benefits will be cut off if not verified.

Here are some tips that the FTC advises to avoid getting scammed:

1. Remain calm, and don’t give them your bank account or Social Security number.

2. Hang up the phone.

3. Report this experience at 877-FTC-HELP or ftc.gov/complaint. Click on “Scams and Rip-offs” and then “Impostor Scams.”

4. If you have questions about your Medicare, call 800-MEDICARE.