Medicare scams to watch for

Scammers know that people on Medicare have a valuable piece of information: their Medicare number. With it, they can bill Medicare for equipment and services you never received, and those false claims can cause problems with your own coverage later. Here's what to watch for.

The rule to remember

Medicare will not call you out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number, your Social Security number, or your bank information. If someone does, hang up. The same goes for texts and emails.

Common Medicare scams

"You need a new Medicare card"

A caller says Medicare is issuing new cards and needs to "verify" your number, or that your card will be canceled. Medicare doesn't call to replace cards.

Free medical equipment or supplies

Offers for a free back brace, knee brace, diabetic supplies or other equipment, "covered by Medicare," in exchange for your Medicare number. The equipment may never arrive, but Medicare gets billed.

Free genetic or cancer screening tests

Someone offers a free cheek swab test at a health fair, by mail, or at your door. These tests are often billed to Medicare without a doctor's order.

Fake plan representatives

Especially during Annual Enrollment in the fall, callers claim to be from Medicare or your plan and pressure you to switch right away. Licensed agents can't call you unless you've given permission, and they can't ask for payment information over an unsolicited call.

How to protect yourself

• Treat your Medicare card like a credit card. Only share your number with your doctors, pharmacy, insurance company, or an agent you contacted.
• Read your Medicare Summary Notice or plan statements. Look for services or equipment you didn't receive.
• Don't trust caller ID. Scammers can make calls look like they come from Medicare or a government office.
• Never pay for help with Medicare benefits over the phone with a gift card or wire transfer.

If you think you've been targeted

Call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report it. You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

And if you're ever unsure about a call or letter, call us at 770-910-7824. We're happy to check it for you, whether or not you're our client.

Sources: Medicare.gov, Reporting Medicare fraud & abuse; FTC Consumer Advice.