New ‘Medicare Card’ Scam Is On the Rise – Here’s What You Should Do

Have you recently received a call asking you to verify your Medicare number to get a new card? If so, be cautious. This scam is becoming increasingly widespread, with scammers trying to take advantage of unsuspecting Medicare beneficiaries. The truth is that Medicare does not call you to verify your number or to send you a new card.

Understanding how this scam works can protect you and your loved ones from falling victim to identity theft or financial fraud.

The caller may say that Medicare is sending out new cards or that your current card is expiring and you need to verify your information to receive a replacement. These claims are false. Medicare completed its rollout of new cards back in January 2019, and they are not sending out any more cards.

Lee / Pexels / Typically, the scam starts with an unsolicited phone call, often from someone claiming to be from Medicare or a similar-sounding official organization.

The goal of these calls is to steal your personal information, particularly your Medicare number. Scammers can use this information for identity theft or fraudulent billing in your name. Remember, Medicare already has your information. They do not need to verify it over the phone.

If anyone asks for your Medicare number or personal information, it is a scam. Hang up immediately!

Why the New ‘Medicare Card’ Scam Is on the Rise

Medicare did offer new cards back in 2018. The updated cards replaced the use of Social Security numbers with a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) to protect against identity theft. While this was a positive step, scammers have latched onto the confusion that followed the rollout to launch their schemes.

The scammers rely on beneficiaries who do not know that the card update was completed years ago. They take advantage of this confusion to create urgency and trick people into providing personal information.

If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Medicare, this is a red flag. Medicare will never call you unexpectedly. Another sign is if the caller asks for your personal information, such as your Medicare number or Social Security number. Medicare already has this information and doesn’t need to verify it.

How to Protect Yourself from the Medicare Card Scam

Never give out your Medicare number or any personal information over the phone unless you initiated the contact and know who you are speaking with. Medicare will never ask for your number over the phone. So, any such request is a sure sign of a scam.

Yan / Pexels / If you receive a suspicious call, hang up right away. You can report the call to Medicare or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.)

However, it is important to share your experience with others, especially elderly family members or friends who might be more vulnerable to such scams. Staying informed is your first line of defense against these fraudulent activities.

What to Do If You Have Been Targeted?

If you suspect you have been targeted by a Medicare card scam, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to protect yourself and minimize any potential damage. Is there a Medicare card scam going on now that can still affect you if you have provided information? Yes, but immediate action can help.

Contact Medicare directly to report the scam right away. If you think your Medicare number has been compromised, Medicare can issue you a new number. You should also monitor your Medicare statements for any suspicious charges or services that you did not receive. If you see something strange, report it right away.

Plus, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report through one of the major credit bureaus. This can help protect against identity theft by making it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name.