Medicare’s new Prescription Drug Benefit has created more opportunities for scammers.
Consumer protection officials around the country say they regularly receive complaints from seniors and other consumers who say they were contacted by fake companies claiming that they were “authorized” or “funded” by Medicare to make telephone or door-to-door contact with beneficiaries.
It sometimes feels like there’s nothing that can’t be scammed these days.
Protect yourself by learning the following six scams to watch out for.
1. Membership Required
This benefit is voluntary and supplements your other Medicare benefits. To participate, you will not be required to pay a membership or join anything.
2. Phone & Spam Trolling
The Social Security Administration doesn’t initiate contact by phone or email, much less request your bank account, credit card, or life insurance policy numbers.
3. Door-to-door Sales
It’s illegal for companies or organizations marketing Medicare drug plans to come to your door uninvited or to send you unsolicited emails. Companies and organizations can call to promote their drug plans, but it’s illegal for them to sign people up during those calls.