Medicare unwanted and fake phone calls – how to identify and stop them

Medicare-eligible people report getting a high number of Medicare calls. Sadly, many of these calls are scams urging people to give up personal information. While others are Medicare sales calls from seasonal agents trying to sell new plans.

You need to know what to do when you get a call. And how to tell if the call is an unwanted sales call or a scam.

Let’s look at reasons why individuals get Medicare calls.

Why am I getting so many phone calls about Medicare?

While unwanted Medicare calls can happen at any time of the year, people report an uptick in these calls during specific times.

When you first become eligible for Medicare: Most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65. Call center sales agents typically call people whose names appear on leads lists. These lists get compiled, sold, and bought by vendors in the Medicare industry. These lists include names, phone numbers, and the person’s age. This is how callers know when to call.

During the Annual Enrollment Period: This period runs each year from October 15 to December 7. If a person already has Original Medicare, this is the time they can make changes to their coverage. They can join, drop, or switch Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) and/or Medicare Prescription Drug plans (Medicare Part D). So, during this period, call center sales agents place a high volume of outbound calls trying to sell new Medicare plans.

Can you trust Medicare telemarketing calls?

If during the conversation with a telemarketer you find their offer appealing, don’t rush into a decision. Take time to research the details of the plan. Often information provided is confusing or misleading. Or it could be a scam. For example, you may hear a Flex Card or grocery allowance is available with a specific Medicare Advantage plan. You enroll in such a plan only to find you don’t live in the service area where the benefit is available. Or you don’t qualify because you don’t meet a certain income level or health condition like diabetes.

There are factors to consider when shopping for plans to ensure a new plan is better than current health care coverage. It’s important to know what you really need from a plan. Then compare plans to learn all the pros and cons. Here are resources to use that may be helpful.

This Is How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans

Personal Shopper -Your Medicare Needs

Does Medicare make phone calls?

Medicare usually doesn’t make calls unless a person calls first and asks for a callback. There are only two situations an individual will receive a legitimate phone call from a Medicare representative.

• Person called 1-800-MEDICARE and spoke to a representative. Or left a message asking for a callback.
• Medicare drug or health plans may call a member of their plan. In this case, the plan already has information on file, so they won’t ask for Medicare card number or Social Security information.

If you didn’t call 1-800-MEDICARE and get a call from someone claiming to be a Medicare representative, it could be a scam. Medicare advises to hang up when unsure you’re speaking with your health insurance provider. Then call the number you have for your Medicare plan to verify their call and reason for it.

What are Medicare scam phone calls?

Telemarketing calls are sales agents trying to get people to buy a Medicare plan they’re selling. The scammer’s goal is different. Their calls try to get personal information, such as a Medicare card or Social Security number. Having this data, scammers can submit false medical claims, making both you and Medicare pay for services never provided. Giving your Medicare number to a scammer is a sure way to end up with medical debt. So, it’s important to know how to identify the scam.

Scammers use misleading practices to make people think calls are legitimate. Oftentimes they know your name, address, and even date of birth. (They often get those from sold or leaked databases.) Their numbers appear as local and unsuspicious so it’s easy to fall for the scam.

Once you pick up, there are different scenarios of how conversations may play out. They may offer amazing benefits – only available now. Or all you need to do is verify information like the card number because it’s about to expire.

Here are common scams to be aware of.

The Medicare Rewards calls scam

Receiving robocalls from something called “Medicare Rewards.” These Medicare Rewards calls usually begin with an automated voice that sounds like a real person. People don’t realize at first the voice is not real and stay on the line until an actual person picks up.

These calls may claim the person on the phone is to receive free medical supplies (like diabetic meters or test strips). Or they qualify for a refund for those supplies. Of course, the caller must confirm their Medicare number. And sometimes the caller requires payment for shipping charges and asks for credit card information.

In order to stop Medicare rewards calls, add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry. If that doesn’t work and you continue receiving calls, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The Medicare back brace scam

Receiving calls or mailings and seeing TV and internet ads about getting a fee or low-cost back brace. Since people see the information in multiple ways, they tend to believe the Medicare back brace scam is true. They give their Medicare information over the phone in exchange for the back brace. However, scammers will use the information fraudulently and bill Medicare. This can result later with a denial for a back brace when it’s really needed.

The “Your Medicare is about to be canceled’ scam

Your Medicare benefits are about to be canceled. Or your old Medicare number is no longer valid, and you need to verify your information to “re-activate” it. The scammers often resort to fear tactics. They know how important Medicare is to those on it. And how unprotected they would feel without it.

The “Becky from Medicare” robocall scam

Recently, the Becky from Medicare call has been heavy with Medicare individuals. The call begins as a robocall from a local number. The automated voice tells the recipient they qualify for a type of genetic test to prescreen for cancer. And they can sign up for the test over the phone. The goal of the call is getting a Medicare number over the phone. Many Medicare individuals reported receiving these calls.

The Medicare card scam

Medicare changed the Medicare ID card in 2018. Before then, the card included the Medicare person’s social security number. Cards issued since 2018 now have the person’s Medicare ID number listed. The new card is red, white and blue.

The rollout of those card ended in 2019. But even in 2023 people kept receiving phone calls advising of a new, secure card, often with a chip. Individuals made the mistake of sharing their Medicare ID number. They were told to confirm their information for the new replacement card. It’s a scam. There have not been any other official changes to the card since 2018.

Medicare does not call and ask for personal information. They send official letters with a request to contact them. Medicare already has everyone’s Medicare card number, so they would not need to ask for it.

The Medicare free Covid tests scam

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Medicare individuals reported getting scam calls about free COVID tests. Although Medicare does offer free COVID tests, they do not call people. Such calls are a ploy to get individuals to share their Medicare information.

Medicare Assist and Medicare Help Center call scams

Scam callers often tell Medicare recipients they are calling from Medicare Assist or the Medicare Help Center. They ask the recipient to confirm their Medicare information to ensure they’re speaking to the right person. Or to “correct” an issue. The calls often sound legitimate. The scammer may even be belligerent and threaten the person they are calling. They make individuals afraid that something terrible will happen to their benefits if they don’t give their Medicare information over the phone.

There is no official program or service called, “Medicare Assist” under the Medicare program. And the official Medicare Help Center does not call first to clarify information. Scammers use both terms in an attempt to make their fraudulent calls or offers sound authentic.

Medicare discount card calls

Medicare discount card calls target Medicare individuals with the intention of selling them fake Medicare discount cards. Or stealing personal information. Scammers may claim to be a Medicare representative, health care provider or insurance company. They often offer to sell a discount card that saves money on prescription drugs, medical equipment, or other health care services.

Scammers may ask for personal information, such as Medicare ID number, Social Security number, or bank account information. And so enroll recipients in a fake discount card program. Once they have the information, they can use it to commit identity theft. Or make unauthorized charges, or bill Medicare for fake services or products.

It’s important to remember that Original Medicare does not endorse or provide discount cards. Some Medicare Advantage plans do offer valid pre-paid flex cards. But a person must be a member of the Medicare Advantage plan and eligible for it. If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to offer a Medicare discount card, hang up immediately. Report it to the Medicare fraud hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) TTY: 711.

Senior aid helper scam

The “senior aid helper” scam is another type of fraud. A scammer reaches out through phone calls, emails, or even in-person visits. They claim to be a customer service representative from the Senior Aid Helper or other organizations or government agencies. Scammers in this case use official-sounding names to gain the trust of the person they’re contacting.

They may offer aid or assistance, such as financial help or medical benefits. They may promise to improve social security benefits or Medicare coverage, claiming the person is eligible for special programs or grants. To proceed with the “assistance,” scammers ask for personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or Medicare information.

Scammers may also request upfront fees or payments to process the assistance or grants they promise. They may pressure those on the phone into paying quickly. Claiming the offer is time-sensitive or requires immediate action.

How to stop Medicare phone calls?

You can take steps to stop scam and unwanted calls from those who claim to offer Medicare rewards or benefits.

Add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) manages the registry that prohibits telemarketers from calling phone numbers listed on it. You can register both your home and cell phone numbers for free: www.donotcall.gov Or call: 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 711). Telemarketers have 31 days from the date you register your number in the Do Not Call Registry to remove it from their databases. If they continue to call, they face a penalty of up to $50,000.

Adding your phone numbers to this registry does not block any calls. It only lets telemarketers know which numbers not to call. They may choose to ignore the registry or find ways around it. Also, the registry is for only stopping sales callsmade by actual registered companies. It does not prevent all unwanted phone calls, but does help decrease their numbers.

Note: Before the Do Not Call Improvement Act of 2007, phone numbers only stayed on the Do Not Call Registry for five years. So, if you registered your phone number before 2007, you need to add it to the registry again. Since February 2008, numbers added to the registry stay there on a permanent basis. But it’s good to check if your number is there.

File a complaint with the FTC

If you continue to receive unwanted calls, file a complaint with the FTC. The FTC investigates complaints and can take legal action against telemarketers who violate the Do Not Call Registry. File a complaint online www.ftc.gov/complaint Or by calling 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 711).

Consider using a call-blocking app or service

Phone service providers offer call-blocking services that block calls from known telemarketers or scammers. You can also download call-blocking apps to your smartphone that help identify and block unwanted calls. You can find the list of such apps here for Android and here for iOS.

The one time when the Do Not Call List won’t work

The Do Not Call Registry won’t work if the call is from a business you’re associated with. If you’re already doing business with a company or agreed to receive information from them, they can contact you without checking the Do Not Call List. You can have them stop contacting you upon request.

Does a dedicated Medicare Do Not Call List exist?

Despite the growing number of Medicare telemarketing calls and scams, a dedicated Medicare Do Not Call List is not currently available. Contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY: 711) when you see Medicare abuse or fraud.

Tips for how to avoid Medicare scam calls

These tips may help you avoid falling victim to various Medicare scams.

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) will not call to update your information. Or ask for information over the phone for a new card replacement.
• If a caller asks for your personal information, do not provide it.
• If calls persist, contact your phone company. Ask about calling features that allow you to be selective in the calls you accept or receive.

If you have disclosed personal financial information to an unknown party, you may be at risk of identity theft. Here are steps to take to further protect yourself.

1) Call the below three major credit bureaus and place a one-call fraud alert on your credit report.

• Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

2) Consider placing a security freeze on your credit reports.

Getting help with Medicare

The Medicare enrollment process can be quite confusing. Some Medicare-eligible individuals have a hard time with their plan selection and enrollment process. Dealing with unwanted calls and pushy salespeople over the phone makes it difficult to see the full picture. There are thousands of plans out there, and some are better fits than others.

Attain Health helps customers understand the total cost of Medicare plans. Our tools help people become more Medicare-savvy. So, they better understand the ins and outs of the whole experience from initial enrollment onward. Our platform prioritizes transparency across all avenues – from how it protects users’ personal data to how it makes money. There are no surprises, no misaligned incentives, no unwanted calls, and no pushy sales tactics.

You should be aware of each of the Medicare plans you’re eligible for instead of just one or two a telemarketing salesperson may push. The more you know about your benefits, the better prepared you are against fraud and scams.

Questions about Medicare?

Shoot us an email at enrollment@attainhealth.com.