Protecting Yourself Against Fraud and Scams in Medicare
Medicare is a federally-funded health insurance program that provides coverage to millions of Americans. Unfortunately, it is also a target for fraud and scams. Criminals use a variety of schemes to steal from Medicare and its beneficiaries, which can result in financial loss, identity theft, and other forms of harm. In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to protect yourself against fraud and scams related to Medicare.
Know the Common Medicare Scams
Scammers use a variety of schemes to defraud Medicare and its beneficiaries, and new ones are emerging all the time. Some of the most common scams involve:
- Telephone calls or emails from someone claiming to be a Medicare representative who needs to update your information.
- Door-to-door salespeople selling fake health insurance.
- Social media or email messages with fraudulent links to fake Medicare websites.
Knowing these common scams and how to spot them is the best defense against becoming a victim.
Keep Your Medicare Information Secure
To prevent identity theft and other forms of fraud, you should always keep your Medicare information secure. This includes your Medicare number, Social Security number, and any other personal information that could be used to commit fraud. You should never give this information out to anyone unless you are sure that they are a legitimate representative of Medicare.
Check Your Medicare Statements
Reviewing your Medicare statements regularly is an important step in identifying and preventing fraud. Look for any services or charges that you do not recognize, and report any suspicious activity to Medicare immediately.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, or if you receive a suspicious call or message, you should report it to Medicare immediately. You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission‘s (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network.
Protecting yourself against fraud and scams related to Medicare is crucial to maintaining your financial and personal safety. Be aware of common scams, keep your information secure, review your statements regularly, and report any suspicious activity. By taking these steps, you can help prevent fraud in Medicare and protect yourself from financial loss and identity theft.