Health Care Scams

You see an ad on TV telling you about a new law that requires you to get a new health care card. Maybe you get a call offering big discounts on your health insurance. Or maybe someone says they’re from the government, and says they need your Medicare number to issue you a new card.

Scammers follow the headlines. When it’s Medicare open enrollment, or when health care is in the news, scammers go to work with a new script. Their goal? To get your Social Security number, financial information, or insurance number.

So take a minute to think before you talk: Do you really have to get a new health care card? Is that discounted insurance a good deal? Is that “government official” really from the government? The answer to all three is almost always: No.

• Stop. Check it out. Before you share your information, call Medicare (800) MED-ICARE, do some research, and check with someone you trust. What’s the real story?
• Pass this information on to a friend. You probably saw through the requests. But chances are you know someone who could use a friendly reminder.