Plastic Medicare card scam returns: What to watch out for

Dear Toni: I received a call in early June, supposedly from Medicare, asking for my personal information to verify the activation of my new plastic Medicare card with a chip. I’m concerned because I have not received the card yet.

Who do I call to see if Medicare was trying to contact me for a new plastic Medicare card? Sometimes it is hard to know the right thing to do when it involves Medicare or Social Security. — Jeanette, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Dear Jeanette: Medicare is not issuing a new plastic Medicare card with a chip. You have been the victim of a Medicare scam. Your Medicare card is still the same paper one you have now.

More than 1.3 million people on Medicare have been duped by this healthcare fraud.

The most recent Medicare card update for everyone on Medicare was in 2018 and ran through April 2019. That switch implemented an identification number of random numerals and letters so the card no longer displays a person’s Social Security number.

Medicare and Social Security will never call your home or office and ask for your personal or banking information. Medicare already has all the information needed to verify they are speaking with you. If the government required more information, a letter would be sent from the specific government agency (such as Medicare), telling you what is needed and how to contact them with any questions.

Please contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 or go in person to your local Social Security office and report that your personal information has been compromised. You will want an alert placed on your Social Security number to avoid a future problem. Also, contact Medicare at 800-633-4227.

According to estimates from the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, taxpayers are losing over $100 billion a year because of Medicare and Medicaid fraud. There is an organization called Senior Medicare Patrol that helps those on Medicare learn how to detect fraud and abuse. To report Medicare fraud or abuse to SMP, call their toll-free number, 877-808-2468, or visit the SMP website at smpresource.org.

Here are a few tips to help protect you against Medicare fraud:

■ Do not accept “free” offers in exchange for your Medicare number. Remember, nothing is free. The fraudster will have Medicare pay for whatever they are offering and will use your Medicare number to get it paid for.

■ Have a safety script by your phone, and do not give out personal information to anyone who calls. Stick to the script no matter what.

■ Guard your Medicare/Social Security number like it is gold. Don’t give your numbers to strangers who call you on the phone or come to your door.

■ Just as you tell your grandkids not to talk to strangers, remember that you don’t need to talk to strangers either. Simply hang up on strangers or those you don’t trust.

Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664.