Avoid Medicare scams

If you’re one of the 52,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Butte County, then you’ve likely received your new card with a unique number. The change to your identification number will help prevent identity theft, keep scammers from using benefits illegally and protect tax dollars, but there are other steps you should take to protect your personal information. Senior Medicare Patrol details a common scam where a caller will indicate that you require a new card. The scammer may threaten you with the loss of benefits if you don’t provide your personal information, Medicare number or bank account number. It’s important to remember that:

Medicare cards do not expire and can be replaced for free.

Medicare will not call you to offer a new card or request personal information in order to issue a new card.

If you lose your Medicare card, you may request a new one from the Social Security Administration.

As a reminder: The federal government will never call you unsolicited.

Sources: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Senior Medicare Patrol