Your Better Business Bureau received a few calls last week from Medicare patients who were targeted in yet another ID theft scam. According to callers, they answered a phone call from someone claiming to represent Medicare and were asked to verify information for their new Medicare card.
Once basic information like the patient’s name, address and phone number were verified, the scammer then asked the patient to verify their bank account information to ensure they will continue to receive their Social Security checks by direct deposit each month.
One caller unfortunately fell for the ploy and gave the bank account information. They stated to the BBB that their bank account was completely drained of its funds. This victim said that the person claiming to be from Medicare sounded very professional and they had no reason to be suspicious.
BBB has verified with Medicare that their policies strictly prohibit these kinds of communications via phone or door-to-door. All correspondence is sent by mail. Medicare also confirmed to the BBB that they do not facilitate any Social Security matters, including the distribution of checks. This is handled by the Social Security Administration.
Your BBB offers the following advice to anyone who may receive similar calls:
- DO NOT give any information to an entity you are not familiar with. Hang up the phone and call the organization the caller claimed to be representing. Criminals are notorious for pirating names of trusted, well-known organizations.
- Immediately contact your bank and put them on alert. Also contact one of, or all three credit bureaus, (Experian, Trans Union and Equifax) and put your credit report on alert. Make a habit of checking your bank account(s) and credit report on a regular basis to scan for any suspicious or fraudulent activity.
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission, (FTC) at 877 382-4357 or www.ftc.gov and let them know you received this call so they can look into it or add it to a pending investigation.
- If your phone number is not already registered on the Federal and Colorado No-Call List, register it today to help eliminate these kinds of calls. If your phone number is already on the list, file a complaint with Colorado No-Call:
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