Glazer Financial Network

BEWARE: New Medicare Scam

I just wanted to give a heads up that there is a scam going around involving the new Medicare Cards coming out in April. Pass it along. It might come in handy to know Medicare will never call you on the phone.

It is true that the new cards will be sent out from April 2018 to April 2019. Medicare has also warned on scams. They do not charge for cards or want your personal information over the phone.

This change is coming up. DO NOT give out information over the phone. This is pretty important to get to people with Medicare, their families, and friends or adult kids who help parents with Medicare.

We have just gotten word about the newest Medicare scam and here's what you need to know to protect yourself, family and friends, throughout the US.

Starting 4/1/18 Medicare will start a year-long project to replace all current Medicare cards for beneficiaries to convert to alphanumeric ID numbers. Currently, the ID number is your social security number. This is starting to hit the media. Scammers are opportunistic.

First of all the new Medicare card will come to you in the mail. You don't need to request it or do anything. It will show up.


WHAT'S THE SCAM?

Somebody from "MEDICARE" will call to tell you-you are getting a new Medicare card. But until it comes you will need a temporary card. The fee for the card is between $5-50 dollars. They want personal information, bank account or credit card so they can process your temporary card.


THINGS TO REMEMBER

• Medicare will never call you unless you ask them to.
• Medicare does all communications by mail unless you ask them to call.
• The same goes for anybody saying they "work with Medicare to make sure you get everything you are entitled to.”