How To Stop Medicare Calls

What Do I Do If I Receive A Medicare Scam Call

If you receive a Medicare scam call, hang up.

Speaking to the Medicare phone scammers, even to tell them off, can encourage more scammers to call your number. If calls persist, consider discussing certain scam blocking features with your phone company.

After receiving a Medicare scam phone call that asks for your Medicare number or other personal information, reach out to 1-800-MEDICARE â TTY:â¯1-877-486-2048.

If you have already discussed personal information on the phone that you now believe is in the wrong hands, contact the Federal Trade Commission to protect yourself from the damages of identity theft.

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Check Your Benefits Statements

One way to detect potential Medicare fraud is to read your explanation of benefits statements carefully, Foley said. Many people don’t take this step at all, or they don’t read the statements carefully, allowing multiple types of fraud to go unnoticed. One way to combat this is to be on the lookout for charges for products or services you don’t recognize or don’t seem to make sense.

If you have questions about a statement, call The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program, at 1-800-Medicare.

Youre Eligible For A Refund For Overpayment Of Benefits

A common phone and text scam used by fraudsters entails claiming that youâre owed a refund due to overpayment. Medicare scammers wonât hesitate to contact you at home and say that Medicare owes you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But this is almost always a scam.

How to identify a Medicare âoverpaymentâ scam call:

• The caller claims youâre owed money from Medicare but needs your bank account number and personal identification to send you the funds. Giving a scammer this information could make you the victim of identity theft.
• The caller pressures you into giving them sensitive information by saying youâll âloseâ the money if you donât act now. Medicare or an insurance company will never ask you to verify your information before issuing you a refund. They will certainly never ask for your banking details. Donât feel pressured into giving up your information.

Read more: What To Do If Youâre a Victim of Fraud or Identity Theft â

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Why Youre Getting Bombarded With Mail And Phone Calls

Its plain and simple: YOURE TURNING 65. Thats it. Really, thats the only reason. Medicare, insurance companies, insurance agents, etc. are all contacting you because youre turning 65.

Now, nobody knows your specific situation:

• You could have very good health insurance coverage as a retiree
• You might already be on Medicare because of a disability
• You may qualify for Medicaid
• You might have full benefits as a veteran, through VA benefits or Tricare

Whichever of these situations you may be in, you have different needs for both Medicare and for supplemental insurance. But, the people calling you and sending you mail dont know your situation. All they know is youre turning 65 and you need to do something about Medicare.

So every phone call and piece of mail pretty much falls into one of three different categories. Lets take a look at what they are, starting with the less important stuff first

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How To Stop Medicare Unwanted Calls

Unfortunately, many of the Medicare scam calls are very convincing. But even if a person hangs up without giving any information to the caller, they can trigger an avalanche of calls simply by picking up. And avoiding picking up the calls is nearly impossible for some because scam callers can use to make it seem like the call is coming from a local number. Because of this technique, many pick up in case it is their doctors office or another expected phone call. And once they pick up, their number is considered good for additional spam calls. Also, unfortunately, its difficult to avoid landing on a Medicare lead list.

A good place to start is to make sure you add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry. While registering your phone numbers with this registry will not prevent all scam calls, it can help cut back. Before the Do Not Call Improvement Act of 2007, phone numbers only stayed on the Do Not Call Registry for five years. So if you registered your phone number before 2007, you need to add it to the registry again. Since February 2008, numbers added to the registry stay there on a permanent basis. But still, its a good idea to check if your number is there.

You can register both your home and cell phone numbers for free, and you can also report unwanted calls. You can register, verify registration, or report spam: .

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What Can I Do To Stop It

The first step to take is to register your phone number with the Federal Trade Commissions Do Not Call List.

The process to do this takes a matter of seconds. You can call their phone number: 1 382-1222. The operator will then ask you to press for your language preferences. Then, it will tell you to press:

1 – to verify if your device has been registered before.

2 – to register your device for the Do Not Call list.

3 – to file a complaint .

You may also register your phone online through the Federal Trade Commissions website. You will still be able to check and see if your phone was previously registered, but when registering online, it prompts you to enter an email address. You are also able to list three separate phone numbers online at one time unlike when calling the number listed above to register. If you decide to call-in and register, you must call from each device you plan on registering with the Do Not Call list . If you are still receiving spam calls 31 days after registering your phones, you will then have an opportunity to file a complaint either by phone or online.

Another way to stop unwanted calls on your mobile phone, is to download third-party apps used specifically for blocking and screening unwanted callers. to see a list of each one. For best practices, let an unknown call go to voicemail. Once you are able to listen to the voicemail, you will usually be able to tell if it is spam or not.

Faq: About Spam Calls

How do you know a call is spam?

It can be difficult to determine if a call is spam. However, experts have suggested that calls with country codes in them could be spam calls.

What happens if you answer a spam call?

If you answer a scam call, your number could be marked as good by scammers, and they might attempt to call you again.

Will spam calls eventually stop?

Its difficult to stop spam calls. However, you can sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry to prevent further spam calls from affecting you.

Is it better to decline or ignore spam calls?

Ignoring and declining spam calls should ideally lead to fewer calls.

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Is Medicare Calling You It Could Be A Scam

When Martin Thunaâs caller ID claimed that Medicare was calling, he was skeptical. But when the caller provided Thunaâs full name and address, he thought it might be the real deal â until they asked for his Medicare and Social Security numbers as well. .

It may be hard to believe, but Medicare numbers are often more valuable to criminals than credit card numbers or even SSNs. Nearly 65% of victims of medical identity theft end up paying $13,500 or more in fraudulent medical bills .

Medicare scam calls are among the most common ways that criminals try to get your sensitive healthcare information. Fraudsters use phone number spoofing to trick you into giving up your healthcare information.

So, how can you be sure youâre really talking to a Medicare representative and not an imposter out to scam you?

In this guide, weâll explain exactly how Medicare scam calls work, how to quickly identify them, and what to do if you or a loved one has given a scammer your Medicare number.

Closing Gateways For International Robocalls

The FCC adopted new rules to stop illegal robocalls that originate overseas from entering American phone networks. Adopted in May 2022, the new rules on gateway providers the on-ramps for international call traffic institute stringent compliance requirements to ensure that these providers comply with STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication protocols and require that they take additional measures to validate the identity of the providers whose traffic they are routing. The new rules require gateway providers to participate in robocall mitigation, including blocking efforts, take responsibility for illegal robocall campaigns on their networks, cooperate with FCC enforcement efforts, and quickly respond to efforts to trace illegal robocalls to their source. Eliminating illegal robocalls that originate abroad is one of the most vexing challenges the Commission faces because of the difficulty in reaching foreign-based robocallers and the foreign voice service providers that originate their traffic.

The FCC is also working with international partners to develop and coordinate a global approach to addressing unlawful robocalls or robotexts, and the unlawful use of inaccurate caller ID information or spoofing. Chairwoman Rosenworcel has signed international partnerships that involve cooperation in combatting robocalls with counterparts in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Romania, and the European Union.

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Hard Facts About Medicare

Here are some important things for seniors to know about how Medicare and the Social Security Administration function.

• Medicare generally wont call you, except in limited circumstances. One such exception is if you have called 1-800-MEDICARE and requested a return call.
• Medicare will never call or come to your home uninvited to sell products or services.
• SSA representatives may call Medicare beneficiaries if they need more information to process applications for Social Security benefits or enrollment in certain Medicare Plans, but, again, this is rare.
• If a phone call is needed, youll receive an official letter from the SSA to arrange a telephone interview.
• Medicare cards do not expire, so be wary of someone saying they need to send you a new one.
• If your card is lost or destroyed, contact the SSA directly to request a replacement. If you think someone else is fraudulently using your Medicare card, then call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE .

How To Avoid Medicare Scams And Calls

Lindsay MalzoneReviewed by: Rodolfo MarreroHomeFAQsGeneral

Oh, the joy of spam calls. We all get them constantly, it seems. They call about everything, and it seems impossible to get the calls to stop. Unfortunately, some people prey on the unsuspecting, especially our Medicare beneficiaries.

Avoiding Medicare scams can be easy, but you must know what to look for. A few confusing things are that it seems like all calls come from a local number, which does not mean its someone calling from your area.

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How To Protect Yourself From Medicare Scams

Guard your personal information and contact Medicare if you have any questions or concerns. A good rule of thumb is not to give out potentially sensitive information over the Internet or phone.

However, if you have called to join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Prescription Drug Plan , you may be legitimately asked to provide identifying information over the phone. You may also be asked for this information if you use the online Medicare Plan Finder tool to shop for or enroll in Part C or Part D Plans. Be aware that none of these entities should ever ask for financial information like credit card or bank account numbers over the phone.

According to Medicare.gov, beneficiaries should only give private information to their doctors, insurers acting on their behalf, and trusted people in the community who work with Medicare, such as State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors.

You may always contact the customer service number on the back of your Medicare card if you have any questions or concerns. If you think you may have provided personal information to a fraudulent caller or believe you are a victim of identity theft, report it to the Federal Trade Commission online at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling the ID Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338.

What To Do If You Receive A Medicare Scam Call

Medicare scam callers can be persuasive, threatening, and aggressive. But itâs important to keep calm and remember that they canât do anything to you without your information.

If you or a loved one gets a Medicare scam call, hereâs what to do:

Will Medicare ever call you?

According to the official Medicare website, there are only two reasons why you should ever receive a call from Medicare:

• A Medicare health or drug plan provider may call you if youâre already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join might also call you.
• A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you if youâve called and left a message .

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How To Report A Medicare Call

You can report a fraudulent call from someone claiming they worked for Medicare by going to the FTC Complaint Assistant.

You can help protect yourself from fraudulent activities by never offering credit card or personal information to anyone. The more hands-on your personal information, the more likely you are to receive scam calls.

Many times, when you sign up for new websites, apps, or services, youre sharing personal information. Read the fine print when enrolling in services, some sites sell your phone number and email. Under no circumstances should you be giving out your personal or credit card information over the phone, especially when youre unsure of the person on the other end of the line.

Although it is daunting, looking at the privacy policies before you share your personal information can save you in the long run. Some websites sell your email address and phone number to third parties, so be careful!

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Tips For How To Avoid Medicare Scams:

These tips should help you avoid falling victim to this scam:

• Remember, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration will not call you to update your information or give you a new card.
• If someone who calls you asks for your personal information, do not provide it.
• If calls persist, you may wish to speak to your phone company about calling features that would enable you to be selective in the calls that you accept or receive.

If you have already disclosed personal financial information to an unknown party, you may be at risk of identity theft. There are certain steps that you can take to further protect yourself, including:

1) Call the three major credit bureaus and place a one-call fraud alert on your credit report:

• Equifax: Call 800-525-6285

2) Consider placing a security freeze on your credit reports.

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Never Let The Robots Know Youre A Real Human

Scammers use robocalls as a way to confirm that the person on the other end is a human being they can continue to target. Through this, theyre able to mark numbers that are valid and spoof their own numbers to continue calling you.

Be wary of responding to calls with your name or saying the word yes as these robocalls may be recording you.

Your Medicare Is About To Be Canceled

Another common Medicare scam call involves fraudsters claiming that your Medicare is about to be canceled â unless you âverifyâ your identity.

Once youâre on a phone call, the scammer will ask you for information, including your:

• Current Medicare number
• Social Security number

If you refuse to provide the requested information, the scammer will threaten to cancel your account â a tactic used on Social Security scam calls, too.

How to identify a Medicare âID verificationâ scam call:

• The caller claims you need a new Medicare number and card but doesnât know your current card number. In actuality, Medicare already has your card number on file and doesnât need to call you to get it.
• Youâre asked for more information than youâre comfortable giving out. Medicare wonât ask beneficiaries for details such as their SSN to âverifyâ their identity.

In the news: When a senior citizen from Pennsylvania received a supposed call from Medicare, the prospective victimâs suspicions paid off . The caller claimed that the personâs Medicare number would no longer be valid, and the current Medicare number was needed for verification. Luckily, the recipient of the call recognized it as a scam and hung up.

Take action:

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What Can A Scammer Do With Your Medicare Number

A scammer could say there is a balance on your Medicare card and request your credit card number. Clearly, this is a scam. Or, in some cases, the scammer could say they want to refund money back to you and need your bank information. In either of these scenarios or similar situations, do not give out your personal information. Medicare will never call you asking for bank information or credit card numbers.

Dont Give Out Your Number Unnecessarily

There are several ways that your phone number could be exposed online, such as listing your phone number on your social media accounts, submitting your number when signing up for things , or having it leaked in a data breach.

Doing a quick search of yourself and your phone number is a good way to figure out how much of your private information is easily accessible online. If its listed on a website, you could try sending the site admin a request to remove it. Some social media sign-ups may require your phone number, but you can potentially sidestep this by using a fake number. Some options for acquiring a fake number include Google Voice, using a temporary number app or website, or getting a burner phone number.

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