(Mobile, Ala.) The Better Business Bureau recently stated con artists are targeting Medicare users.
The BBB reported they receive 20 calls a week about Medicare Card scams targeting seniors.
BBB President and CEO Stephanie Knight said senior citizens are often preyed upon because their information remains consistent over long periods of time.
"They continue to maintain their land lines, and they usually have a phone number that's 10, 15, 20 years old," said Knight.
The Scammers goal is to use "Medicare" as a disguise to steal senior citizens' identity and money. Scammers usually call from an unknown number posing as Medicare or some government agency. Callers tell victims a new Medicare card will be sent by mail, but first schemers try to verify the victims identity.
Knight stated, "What they want to do is keep you on the phone and verify your address, and date of birth, your Social Security number, and your Medicare number."
The BBB reported callers tell victims they will help load up Medicare Cards for convenience.
"All you have to do is give us some banking information, and we'll do direct deposit for you. You don't have to do anything," said Knight.
The only problem is, the new card or direct deposit account do not exist, and strangers suddenly have access to personal information to use as they please.
Knight stated Medicare never calls its membership, "They contact their membership by mail. You don't want to give personal or financial information or Medicare information out to anyone who is not a safe provider or a Medicare provider or your physician's office.
BBB officials advise seniors to guard their Medicare cards like a Social Security card, and to only carry it to doctors visits.
If you have been a victim of this Medicare Phone Scam, call the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft hotline at 1-877-438-4338.
