Avoid sharing your Medicare number with people who contact you out of the blue: Do not provide your Medicare card, Medicare Number, Social Security card, or Social Security Number to anyone but your doctor, pharmacy, or people who work with Medicare. These numbers should be protected just like you would protect your credit card, debit card, or bank account information. It’s important to know Medicare will not call you unless you’ve specifically asked for help.
Scammers can spoof their number to make it look like the call is coming from a government agency or other known organization.
Do not click on suspicious links: Criminals create fake email addresses to make it appear messages are coming directly from Medicare. These emails may send you to a website that looks authentic. Do not respond to unexpected emails or text messages or click on any links they contain—even if the communication looks real.
If you need to update your information, log in to your Medicare account at Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or talk to a trusted advisor.
If you believe you’ve been involved in a Medicare scam, report it! Submit a report online to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Â
Source: National Council on Aging
Photo Credit: Tara Winstead
